Darren Waller reveals his near-death experience last season in retirement video

Darren Waller said goodbye to the game he loves on Sunday night.

The tight end announced his retirement in a YouTube video, revealing that a medical emergency that left him hospitalized played a role in his decision to quit.

Waller, whose 2017 overdose spurred him to sobriety, said he called 911 from his North Jersey apartment last November because of difficulty breathing. He feared for his life. . . Again.

The symptoms began when he was returning home from filming a video for his music career, and he thought he had contracted COVID for the third time. But once he returned to his apartment, he began “shaking uncontrollably” and “losing consciousness.”

“I kept nodding [off] And I couldn't breatheso I ended up calling 911,” Waller said, via Ryan Dunleavy of New York Post. “I think I speak clearly on the phone, but they don’t understand much of what I’m saying.”

While waiting for first responders, Waller said he fell onto the couch.

“I breathe deeply, and between each breath I shout: “Help! “, Waller said. “So maybe I could wake the neighbors up. I don't know how long it lasted – it felt like an eternity – and I'm like, 'Damn, I'm dying on this couch and no one knows.” It was a bit similar to my overdose – like the power plug was pulled and I couldn't breathe.

Waller missed five games between November 5 and his return to the field on December 17, landing on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

His explanation of his near-death experience left questions, but it helps explain why he's walking away from the remaining $35 million in the final three years of his contract.

“I do something [football] in which I found much joy. . . but the passion slowly faded,” Waller said. “I feel like I've spent most of my life doing what I should be doing. I’ve always been a people pleaser – someone who struggled to find value, confidence and feeling valued.