Billy Price, a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, announced his retirement on Saturday, revealing he had suffered a pulmonary embolism in April.
The 29-year-old said he had emergency surgery to remove a saddle clot lodged in both his lungs. Despite the surgery, he said he had to retire because his blood thinners posed a “huge” risk of internal bleeding.
The caption on Price’s Instagram post:
“In the blink of an eye, everything can be taken away. On April 24, I underwent emergency pulmonary embolism surgery to remove a saddle clot lodged in both my lungs. As a healthy 29-year-old, I had an unprovoked pulmonary embolism with no further sequelae. medical clearance is terrifying.I’m truly grateful to be alive today.Unfortunately, I’m retiring from the NFL because the risk of internal bleeding while taking blood thinners is a huge risk.
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have played in some of the best atmospheres in the world. I am grateful to have trained and played alongside men who will continue to earn Pro Bowls, All Pro Rosters and Hall of Fame recognitions .
“To my wife, this career would not have been possible without your continued love and support. The sacrifices you have made over the course of my career do not go unnoticed. I can’t wait to navigate the next chapter in the business with you navigate life as we continue to grow our family.”
Price was a four-year starter at Ohio State and won a national championship in 2014. He played offensive guard before moving to center for his senior season, where he earned unanimous All-America honors and won the Rimington Trophy for the nation’s best center the country in 2017.
That performance led to Price becoming the rare center selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, going 21st overall to the nearby Cincinnati Bengals in 2018. He went on to play five seasons with the Bengals, New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals, and also practiced with the Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys.
Price spent most of last season on the Cowboys’ practice squad after being released by the Saints the previous offseason.