Darren Waller reflects on divorce and retirement, says he had to 'look in the mirror'

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This year has been a whirlwind for Darren Waller.

The former NFL tight end contemplated retirement while filing for divorce from WNBA star Kelsey Plum. Shortly after the divorce was final, he decided to call it a career.

Waller said both were equally difficult and took a toll on him mentally.

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Darren Waller of the New York Giants runs onto the field prior to a game against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

"Both are a part of who I am, things that meant a lot to me at the time, and for them to both happen at the same time, it's a lot of emotions you have to process," Waller told Power 105.1's "The Breakfast Club" with Charlamagne Tha God. "A lot of talking, a lot of writing, a lot of time being spent reflecting and being by yourself. 

"That's real-life stuff, man. I've had a lot of success, a lot of great moments in my life. But this year has been one that really forced me to look in the mirror and dig deep and to express myself in ways that I don't really get to. Who is Darren Waller at the core without all these things that I try to reach for, for fulfillment or validation?"

Waller said he had to "get honest or die lying" to himself.

"You kinda got to look at yourself and realize, ‘All right, what role am I playing that all the relationships in my life have always had the same patterns?’" Waller said. "Any time I’m in a relationship, I feel like I gotta dance or do a certain thing to keep this person around, almost like I'm tying my self-worth to the success of a relationship. And you realize how much you