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Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Just one day after re-signing with the Seattle Seahawks, veteran tight end Luke Willson announced his retirement from the NFL. In a statement posted Wednesday on social media, Willson said he was hospitalized earlier this off-season with a severe pericardial effusion, which is a buildup of extra fluid in the space around the heart.
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After reflecting on the situation and his future in the league, the 31-year-old tight end decided it was "time for me to begin with the next chapter of my life."
"That situation has really challenged me as an individual and changed my perspective on a lot of things with regards to my life," Willson wrote. "After reflecting on everything [Tuesday] and being in the building, I have decided that it's time for me to begin with the next chapter of my life."
The Seahawks released Willson on Wednesday, leaving the team with an open spot on their 80-man roster. Seattle brought Willson back for a fourth stint with the club Tuesday in a move to reinforce its depth at the position as Colby Parkinson deals with a foot injury.
Willson was a member of the Seahawks' 2013 team that won Super Bowl XLVIII. He also played for the 2014 team that came a yard short of repeating as champions in Super Bowl XLIX.
The Seahawks selected Willson in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Rice. He spent his first five seasons in Seattle and returned to the franchise in 2019 after short stints with the Detroit Lions and Las Vegas Raiders. He then spent time with the Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens in 2020.
In 97 career games with the Seahawks, Lions and Ravens, Willson recorded 111 catches for 1,307 yards and 11 touchdowns.
