Just this past Friday, Leighton Vander Esch was released by the Dallas Cowboys. Citing persistent health issues as the reason, Leighton has now officially announced that is retiring from the NFL.
He’s had quite a journey since walking on at Boise State, from an 8-man high school football team in Riggins, ID. By the time he left Boise State, he not only earned a scholarship, but also Mountain West Defensively Player of the Year honors. He followed that up by being selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys in 2018 and being named to a Pro Bowl and a second-team All-Pro as a rookie.
Unfortunately, repeated injuries were a consistent challenge for him and have now culminated in him making the obviously difficult decision to hang up his pads.
You can read the statement he put out here, if you have an Instagram account. Otherwise, here are some images of what it said.
We wish Leighton all the best in the next phase of his life. Maybe now we’ll even see him around the football facilities in the spring and the fall. No matter what though, as always…
A true Blue Collar Bronco Blue Blood. All he needed was a chance. And BSU gave it to him. He made more than the best of it. I’m glad he retired before perhaps receiving a more serious injury.
An unfortunate end to his career, but it won’t overshadow the great player and great man he is! All time legend Bronco! All time great nickname. The baby giraffe will live forever in Bronco lore.
He even gave the obvious wink to FKWG (formerly known as OBNUG) with the DQ shoutout. Hey man, it’s as real as you make it in your mind!!
Can’t wait to see why he does next. Hopefully returns to Idaho and does great things for the community there.
Maybe he’ll come back as a coach & eventually becomes a coordinator, etc
That or perhaps a broadcaster. I remember David Pollock had a similar neck injury & has turned in a great career as a broadcaster on College Game Day in the Falls.