Aug 1, 2023; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) stretches during training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: New York Giants Training Camp
(New York) — Darren Waller is opening up about his past struggles.
In a interview with 77WABC radio host Sid Rosenberg, the Giants tight end spoke about his past struggles with substance abused.
“Once my mindset changed, my whole disposition on life got better,” Waller said on journey of drug addiction. “Being more patient with the process and just putting in the work.”
Before becoming the breakout star he is today, Waller battled through drug and alcohol abuse since the age of 15.
He has been open about his battle, mentioning his struggles to fit in at school as a child, eventually leading to his addiction.
“Drinking four to five times a week, at least. Molly sometimes, Xanax, Adderall here and there, literally for me it was like I really didn’t care, anything that can change the way that I feel, anything that can give me that effect, I was pretty much down to try it,” Waller explained during and interview with HBO’s David Scott back in September.
After failing multiple drug tests early in his career, the NFL would ban the tight end for a full year, putting his future in jeopardy.
He would have a near death experience during the 2017 preseason. While he visited his local drug dealer, Waller was given Fentanyl and almost died from a drug overdose.
The date was Aug 11th, 2017, and it was the last time he ever used an illegal drug.
“I would say I had a spiritual experience. My whole mindset and outlook on life changed. I stopped worrying about the results of things. I started focusing on the process and appreciating the good.. appreciating the bad.. mistakes.. the ability to learn and to grow… and not thinking I always had everything figured out.”
