Darren Waller re-confirms retirement 'my passions are elsewhere now’

Ex-New York Giants TE wants to focus on his music career and personal growth after a messy divorce from Kelsey Plum.

Darren Waller, the former New York Giants star, has announced his retirement from the NFL, confirming to TMZ Sports that he is content with his decision and confident it is permanent. 

Despite still being productive at 31, Waller emphasised his commitment to stepping away from the sport.

"I reached a point where I don't have that 100 percent to give to the process," Waller stated. "I don't think that's fair to teammates, or fans, or organisations that are expecting me to give that. That's why I came to the decision I made."

Waller had an impressive career as a tight end, accumulating 350 catches, 4,124 yards, and 20 touchdowns over eight years. He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2020. Although his first year in New York was disappointing, fans anticipated a strong comeback in 2024. However, Waller has chosen to move on, expressing no desire to continue the gruelling practice regimen.

Post-retirement, Waller is excited to focus on his music career. He plans to release a two-part song, "Choose Wisely" and "Farewell," reflecting on his journey and retirement. Waller explained, "The first part dives into my success and fame and the pressure that comes with it. The second part is a reflection on my career and how good it has been and then a mic drop at the end."

Waller also discussed his personal life, revealing he has changed his phone number and only a select few have the new one. After his recent divorce from WNBA star Kelsey Plum, Waller hopes to redefine love and work on personal growth.

"Going into relationships, I had to be co-dependent and tap dance to please the partner," Waller shared. "Or I had to self-sabotage the relationship before the other person did because of things that happened to me when I was younger. My whole definition of love has to change, and that's a lot of the work I'm doing right now."