‘Blink Of An Eye’: 29-Year-Old NFL Player Makes Surprise Retirement Announcement Following Health Scare

NFL offensive lineman Billy Price made a surprise announcement on Instagram that he was retiring from the league after going through a health scare and saying that he was “lucky to be alive.”

The 2018 first round draft pick said last month he suffered a blood clot that got into his lungs, so he was leaving professional football because of the potential risks the blood clot presents, ESPN reported.

“In the blink of an eye, everything can be taken away,” Price wrote on Instagram. “On April 24th I had emergency pulmonary embolism surgery to remove a saddle clot that was entering both of my lungs.”

“As a healthy 29 year old, an unprovoked pulmonary embolism with no further medical explanation is terrifying,” he added. “I am truly thankful to be alive today.”

“Unfortunately, I will be retiring from the NFL as the risk of an internal bleed while on blood thinners creates tremendous risk,” Price continued. “I am truly thankful for the opportunity to have played in some of the greatest atmospheres around the world. I am thankful to have trained and played alongside men who will continue to make Pro Bowls, All Pro Rosters and Hall of Fame recognitions.”

He closed out his post by crediting his wife for a career he said that “would not have been possible without” her “continued love and support.”

“The sacrifices you have made over the course of my career do not go unnoticed,” he added. “I cannot wait to navigate the next chapter in life with you as we continue to grow our family.”

In 2018, the Cincinnati Bengals drafted Price out of Ohio State with the 21st pick overall. During his 5 seasons in the NFL, he played three seasons for the Bengals — appearing in 42 games, with 19 of those being starts. He was then traded to the New York Giants in 2021, and started 15 games for the team before ending up with the Arizona Cardinals. He last played for the Cardinals during the 2022 season and started 11 of those games.

Last year, the center also spent time with the New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, and Las Vegas Raiders organizations, including on the Dallas practice squad, the NFL reported.

In 2017, the Ohio State player won the Rimington Trophy, which honors the top center in the nation, KTBS 3 ABC, noted.