An emotion-filled Monday for Dallas Cowboys fans included farewell letters from Tyron Smith and Leighton Vander Esch.
The latter announced his decision to retire from professional football after spending six seasons in Dallas. Spinal issues brought a premature end to Vander Esch’s playing career.
The Boise State product was highly respected in the Cowboys’ locker room and around the NFL. A look around players’ social media feeds Monday can confirm that statement.
Here’s a look at the national reaction to Vander Esch’s retirement announcement:
I don’t think people realize how much yall are going to miss Leighton!! I mean one of the hardest, most devoted, loving,authentic teammate you could ever have!! Cowboys nation should be grateful he represented the star! Ima miss his passion and drive on the field!! 🐺🐺 thank you https://t.co/c1kW0I76W2
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) March 18, 2024
LVE 🙏⭐️
— TRE SEVEN (@TrevonDiggs) March 18, 2024
Been saving this post for a minute… Preciate you brotha!! REAL leader in life, even better person/teammate🐺‼️ pic.twitter.com/DxgTZQsIiT
— Juanyeh Thomas (@STG_Yeh1) March 18, 2024
Me and Leighton practiced this dance celly in practice for 2 straight weeks… Bro said “theres no way im dancing yeh”… Then proceeds to hit the celly😂😂… This gone foreva be one of my fav memories hahaha… pic.twitter.com/pbzIGBvDtq
— Juanyeh Thomas (@STG_Yeh1) March 18, 2024
— DeMarvion Overshown (@AGENT0__) March 18, 2024
You are elite, Wolf Hunter 🐺 pic.twitter.com/Q9LdIHe2HH
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) March 18, 2024
I hate when injuries take these guys out. LVE is a DAWG, and without injuries, he was on another level. Thanks for the HOWLS @VanderEsch38 https://t.co/8TY4fK0FzO
— Tad Prescott (@Tp1stprescott) March 18, 2024
Between Dat Nguyen, Sean Lee, Leighton Vander Esch, and Jaylon Smith, the Cowboys have had some incredibly talented linebackers who we rarely saw the best of due to injury. 💔 https://t.co/5kviMCpa9c
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) March 18, 2024
From 8-man football in Idaho to an All-Pro career for America’s Team. Congratulations to Bronco legend @VanderEsch38 on an outstanding football career! 💙🏈#BleedBlue | #BuiltDifferent pic.twitter.com/WyltbeH6nx
— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) March 18, 2024
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