Former Cowboys All-Pro linebacker Leighton Vander Esch announced that he has medically retired from the NFL due to lingering neck issues during his six-year career.
Vander Esch, 28, who played his entire pro career in Dallas, emotionally explained on his Instagram Thursday that his body “just won’t get used to” the game he loves.
“Today is a difficult day for me, but it is also a day of reflection and gratitude.” he wrote. “…I recognize that I can no longer live up to the unwavering standards of excellence that professional football demands. I say this with a heavy heart. To do.
“I love the game of football so much that my body just can’t function anymore. I was very happy.”
Vander Esch is Release from Dallas Physical designation failed on March 15th.
The 2018 first-round pick suffered a neck injury in October against the San Francisco 49ers and was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Prior to that, Vander Esch underwent surgery to repair a nerve issue in his neck in 2019, forcing him to miss the remainder of that season.
He then underwent another surgery, and his 2020 season was derailed, leaving the opening game against the Los Angeles Rams midway through with a broken collarbone.
In his letter, Vander Esch spoke passionately about his wife, Madalyn, and how she supported him during his time in Dallas.
“No one feels the daily grind more than my loving and extremely supportive wife, Madalyn,” he wrote. “…She has been with me throughout my entire career and has done everything in her power to help me be my absolute best on and off the field. I would not have been able to go through this journey in her NFL career without her.” It is true that I could not continue.
“Madalyn, you have made this transition as the mother of our little girl so easy. I am forever grateful and blessed for you. One thing is for sure. If that’s the case, players’ wives don’t get enough recognition.”
Madalyn paid tribute to her husband in another Instagram post that partially reflected on his injury history and also included a photo of his career.
“Leighton, I’m so honored to have been able to watch your career by your side,” she wrote in part. I can’t express without crying how proud I am to be your wife of 55 years… Soccer has been a real roller coaster for us. He scored his first career touchdown the week before an injury ended his career.
“We knew the night of his injury that he would never be on the field again. Although we were grateful that we could have some private time to reconcile,” , definitely grieving what the injury has done to him. It’s a grind. But Leighton is steady. His highs are never too high and his basses are never too low. He’s good at every aspect of life. He is a quiet leader and warrior. I watched him struggle with setback after setback, only to be grateful for another chance. Throughout it all, he remained kind and supportive. He gave it to me.
“…I’m grateful that his body has had the chance to recover. I’m grateful to see him grow as a father, a businessman, a funny farmer, or whatever comes our way. I’m ready to see it.”
Madalyn also explained that her daughter’s name, Navy Grace Vander Esch (born January 8, 2024), was inspired by the Cowboys.
“So many people have asked me why I named my daughter ‘Navy,'” she wrote. “At first we loved the name, but navy blue is so symbolic to us of the past six years here in Dallas. Her name always reminds us of this time in our lives. I’m happy about that.”
After an impressive 2022, Vander Esch re-signed with the Cowboys on a two-year contract in March 2023.
Dallas plans to collect $2.2 million of his signing bonus as salary cap savings, but the remaining $2.2 million will be dead money.
In six seasons with the Cowboys, Vander Esch started 71 games and 65 games and recorded 557 tackles.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones praised Vander Esch’s contagious passion and love for the game. add statesmant, “I’m proud that he wore a star on his helmet.”
The Cowboys shared a video tribute to Esch on social media, which included footage of him being selected by the Cowboys with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
The caption read, “You’re an elite, Wolfhunter,” a nod to his nickname.
Vander Esch earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in his rookie year after finding success at Boise State, where he also dealt with neck issues.
