New York Giants tight end Darren Waller had a long NFL journey to his current position as one of the top tight ends in the league. While every athlete goes through ups and downs to reach a certain level of success, Darren Waller’s struggles were somewhat different.
In a recent podcast, the 31-year-old got vulnerable and shared his struggles with drug addiction. He publicly admitted his drug addiction and shared how he overcame it to be where he is today.
Darren Waller talks about his drug addiction
On Tuesday, Darren Waller appeared on the 2nd Wind Podcast, where he talked about overcoming his drug addiction journey. The tight end shared that when he was drafted, he was worried that one day everyone would find out about his addiction.
“They’re gonna find out I’m a f—ing addict. Most dudes are in tears and it’s a great moment in their life but I’m thinking ‘What’s gonna happen down the road?'”
The tight end still didn’t leave drugs and he said I used to be proud of the fact that I take pills and no one in the facility even knows about it.
“Before that, I always felt like I had control of everything, like the joke’s on you, I’m in the facility doing everything high and you don’t know I’m high, but in reality it’s controlling me, and that moment was the reality of that.”
Darren also shared that his addiction was becoming a destruction for him as he used to drink “20-something beers.”
But one incident changed his mindset. Darren shared that one day in 2017, he overdosed, and after he woke up from that, he realized that this addiction was controlling him and destroying him.
He shared that after taking the dose, he couldn’t even keep his eyes open, he passed out during the day and woke up at night.
“I went to get out of the car and I felt like I was just gonna hit the ground, and I’m just like, ‘That’s gonna cause a scene.’ I just laid my head back and then woke up and it was night time because I passed out in the day time.
The Tight end stated that this moment made him realize that he needed help, and he decided to go to a rehabilitation center.
“I woke up from that and I feel like in that moment God had done enough to [make me say], ‘All right, I don’t really have control of this, I’ll at least go to rehab and see what this is like.’
Darren Waller then went to a rehabilitation center and overcame his drug addiction. Today he is one of the best tight ends in the league.
Darren Waller’s NFL career highlights
After playing college football at Georgia Tech, Darren Waller was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2015. Initially, he played as a wide receiver, but later he transitioned to the position of tight end, which changed his career.
In 2018, he signed with the Raiders and spent five seasons with the team. He made a career-high 107 grabs for 1,196 yards and nine touchdowns. He then won his first Pro Bowl in 2020.
During his career, he was suspended twice because of substance abuse violations. This year in March, because of injuries, the Raiders traded him to the New York Giants. With the Giants, he made nine receptions for 112 yards through two games.
In a short time, Darren Waller became an elite tight end in the NFL, all thanks to his determination and willingness to fight against his drug addiction. Do you see him doing well for the Giants? Tell us your opinions in the comments.
