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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Joseph Salvador

Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch Announces Retirement

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch announced he’s retiring from football Monday, three days after the team released him due to a failed physical designation

“I realize that I am no longer able to adhere to the unwavering standard of excellence that professional football demands,” Vander Esch wrote on Instagram. “I say this with a heavy heart: I am medically retiring from the NFL. I love the game of football so much, and my body won’t cooperate any longer. I cherished every moment of my NFL career, and it has been blessing to play the game for as long as I have played.”

Vander Esch suffered a neck injury on Oct. 8, 2023, in a game against the San Francisco 49ers that ended his season. The neck injury ultimately would be career ending

Over his six seasons in the NFL, the Boise State product tallied a total of 469 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles in 71 games. His best season came in 2018 when he was named second-team All-Pro as a rookie while notching 140 combined tackles in 16 games. 

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