Remember this: most of the greatest things in life end sooner than we all want it to.
At just 23 years old, Giants running back David Wilson’s NFL career is over way before it was set to really begin. Just like that, no more 84-yard dashes down the sideline for a touchdown, back-flipping in the end zone afterwards, no more hope. Instead of all of that, there’s the sad question of “what if?”
Wilson, who was returning from offseason neck surgery, suffered a “burner” during the Giants training camp session last Tuesday. He was officially diagnosed by spine specialist Dr. Frank Cammisa and Giants team doctor Ronnie Barnes with diffuse cervical stenosis on Monday, a congenital narrowing of the entire spinal column, putting Wilson at serious risk if he continued his football career.
Both doctors and the Giants front office have advised Wilson to retire while he still has his health.
“I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me, or pity me,” Wilson said on Monday. “Growing up, ever since I was 8 years old, I wanted to play in the NFL. It was my dream. And I can’t say that I didn’t live my dream, because I did.”
In 21 games for the Giants (six starts), Wilson ran for 504 yards on 115 carries with five touchdowns and had 42 receiving yards on six catches with a touchdown as well. He suffered a neck injury in Week 5 last season that wasn’t originally thought to be serious. The Giants placed him on injured reserve in November after he was never cleared to return for the 2013 season and in January, Wilson underwent spinal fusion surgery, which ultimately led toward the sudden end of his career.
On his Instagram account @4stillrunning), Wilson said:
“At age 8 I told my #Dad I wanted to play football in THE NFL at this point in my life I have done that. Even Blessed to be drafted in the 1st round. Broke and set RECORDS, scored Touchdowns, and all that follows. It’s a great feeling to live a out dream. Unfortunately that has been paused but I am blessed that I am able to walk away from this game healthy and still able to be me with no restrictions pain or struggle and So all I ask is please don’t be sorry or pity ME that’s just one chapter life goes on and I’m glad I can live it. Once a Giant always a #Giant #pocketrocket.”
“I’m thankful that I can literally walk away from the game and that I am healthy and capable of doing the same things I have done all my life, except play football,” Wilson added.
The Giants aren’t expected to keep Wilson with the organization, however are expected to place him on season-ending IR so he can collect his entire 2014 salary.
When David Wilson clears waivers tomorrow and is added to the Giants' IR list, it allows him to collect his full 2014 salary of $997,682.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) August 4, 2014
Wilson was the heir apparent to the backfield throne that Ahmad Bradshaw held for six years in New York, playing a vital role in both of the Giants Super Bowl runs in 2007 and in 2011. He was going to be the exciting future in that Giants backfield when they drafted him out of Virginia Tech with the 32nd overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft. He had some power but also had solid speed and hit his holes quick. In short, he was supposed to be the “chosen one,” the next great running back after Tiki Barber.
Impressive that young player like David Wilson recognizes how fortunate he is to leave NFL healthy to live rest of life
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) August 4, 2014
The Giants hope that they fixed their backfield issues from a year ago, signing former Raider Rashad Jennings and drafting Andre Williams from Boston College along with re-signing Peyton Hillis. The trio combined for 107 yards on 21 carries with Williams scoring the only rushing touchdown in the Hall of Fame game on Sunday.
Yet, there will still be a big hole in the Giants backfield come Week 1. The hole isn’t necessarily a player, but a question.
What if this new duo of Jennings and Williams doesn’t work out? How good could Wilson have been? Will the Giants ever find the next franchise running back?
Unfortunately that is the downfall of being a football player, let alone an NFL football player. While some players can have the luxury and complete luck of playing for a decade or even more, others are done after just a few years. Sadly for Wilson, his is over after just 21 games.
"“So all I ask is please don’t be sorry or pity ME that’s just one chapter life goes on and I’m glad I can live it.” – David Wilson"
It’s a brutal and unforgiving game and in the blink of an eye, a player’s career can be over on the very next play. The game doesn’t play favorites; it doesn’t matter if you’re a rookie, an up-and-comer or a 10-year vet.
At least for Wilson, he’s taking the smart road out, as the potentially-best that never was.