Letter from Levi Wallace talking about what he went through to play football throughout the years

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

Kind of a neat article for those of you who subscribe to the Athletic.  It's a letter written by Levi Wallace's mind to his body, kind of apologizing to his body for the things he put his body through to play football.  Below is the first and last couple of paragraphs, starts out from when he first played flag football at age 5 up until he decided to retire. 

 

Article was called "Here's the truth from a retiring NFL player"

 

Dear Body,

The time has finally come for me to acknowledge that we are in agreement. It is time for us to call it quits.

 

I owe you a letter that tells the truth. Not the highlight version. The real one. The version where people saw us on Sundays but never saw what it took to get there.

 

..........

 

 

Somewhere along the way, we learned how to carry each other, Body and Mind.

 

Truth be told, Body, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’d put us through it all over again. Because I know what we are capable of.

 

I know what God built us to endure.

 

I know we can handle it together.

 

Sincerely,

Levi Wallace’s Mind

 

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7646085/2026/10/01/levi-wallace-nfl-retirement-letter/ 

Edited October 1 by Ed_Formerly_of_Roch

[Simon]

I didn't like having him as a Bills starting CB because he wasn't as good an athlete as the guys he was going up against and opponents were able to take advantage of that at times. But I always tried to make it a point not to complain or rag on him too much for it. Because anybody that can take that sort of limited athleticism and work soooooooo freaking hard that they parlay it into a successful NFL career at the most difficult non-QB position on the field is worthy of an enormous amount of respect.

Congrats Levi on what you've accomplished. Now take that money and go have yourself some well-deserved fun for the next 50 years. 🤙

[Iiiiiiiiive Got a Feeeelin]

He frustrated us some thats for sure, but HOW many different players did he outcompete to keep playing not only here but to have the career he did as a UDFA.  awesome dude.  never forget when he put out his phone # for fans who were struggling(or just wanted to say hi) during covid and i heard many stories from people on here of having great conversations with him that were fairly long.  congrats Levi.  
edit just read the entirely and man if your eyes don’t sweat a little bit for this you’re not human 

Edited October 2 by Iiiiiiiiive Got a Feeeelin

[transient]

I don't have a subscription to the Athletic. Does he write a letter from his body and mind to his underwear thanking them for all of the guidance they've provided for him throughout his career? 

[WotAGuy]

A really interesting and mostly sad read. Hope his life after football has similar blessings as his athletic life. 

[BillsfaninSB]

Interesting approach on how to tell his story.  Don’t have a subscription so wish I can read it.   I hope he is doing well mentally.

 

He was one of those guys I cheered for more than others even when he wasn’t on the Bills. 

[Bad Things]

I haven't read the article yet, but I just want to say that I will always be a Levi Wallace fan.

He has an amazing story and has come through a lot of adversity.

[T.E.]

Undrafted free agent who made $13.5MM before 30. A great success story any way you look at it. 

[Don Otreply]

Good for him, 

[Mr. WEO]

He retired 2 years ago and his body just got this letter?  Must have moved and left no forwarding address....

[Freddie's Dead]

I still remember that when all the rats scurried for cover in the wake of :13 seconds, Levi Wallace was the ONLY ONE who stood up and said "I messed up".  He's in my top 10 Bills of all time just for that alone.  He's a man.

[nedboy7]

Intense read.  Nothing but respect for this man.  Making the guys play on Thursday after a Sunday is pathetic.  

[Bferra13]

6 hours ago, nedboy7 said:

Intense read.  Nothing but respect for this man.  Making the guys play on Thursday after a Sunday is pathetic.  

Money, money, money, and blame Rodg all you want, but the NFLPA wanted it just as much too. Thats a two way street. 

[machine gun kelly]

The guy out punched his weight for years.  As the guys on Movin the Chains always say, professional football is not a career, it’s a pleasure, and a way station until you can start your real career for decades.  Given the avg. NFL player only lasts around 3.5 years, he has the rest of his life to develop his passion in life.  God knows, I didnt find my calling until around 30.  I had a thriving career for my first years after graduate school, but my calling didn’t come until approximately 30.  I’ve been having a ball for the last 26 years.

 

Hopefully Levy has invested the $13.5 million he earned in his NFL career, if he invested successfully $6-7 mil., he should have enough padding to take his time and find his real life passion in life.  If he has $6 mil., that’s basically$240,000 for life, and still make some wealth growth, plus whatever he earns from his post NFL career.  If he loves to teach, go coach a high school football team, and show young boys what heart looks like for a less talented, but all heart football player looks like.

 

I agree with those who posted he is an all heart Rudy type player.  It’s probably why Rudy, and Invincible are two of my favorite football movies.

 

 

Edited October 2 by machine gun kelly

[nuklz2594]

sounds like doom and gloom down the road. hope I'm wrong.

[Jon in Pasadena]

On 10/1/2026 at 3:04 PM, Mr. WEO said:

He retired 2 years ago and his body just got this letter?  Must have moved and left no forwarding address....

Keon Coleman Delivery Service ?

[Dr.Sack]

Everyone likes the underdog unless he’s your CB 2 in a playoff game.

[Buffaloflash]

On 10/1/2026 at 3:42 PM, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

Kind of a neat article for those of you who subscribe to the Athletic.  It's a letter written by Levi Wallace's mind to his body, kind of apologizing to his body for the things he put his body through to play football.  Below is the first and last couple of paragraphs, starts out from when he first played flag football at age 5 up until he decided to retire. 

 

Article was called "Here's the truth from a retiring NFL player"

 

Dear Body,

The time has finally come for me to acknowledge that we are in agreement. It is time for us to call it quits.

 

I owe you a letter that tells the truth. Not the highlight version. The real one. The version where people saw us on Sundays but never saw what it took to get there.

 

..........

 

 

Somewhere along the way, we learned how to carry each other, Body and Mind.

 

Truth be told, Body, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’d put us through it all over again. Because I know what we are capable of.

 

I know what God built us to endure.

 

I know we can handle it together.

 

Sincerely,

Levi Wallace’s Mind

 

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7646085/2026/10/01/levi-wallace-nfl-retirement-letter/ 

Mr. Automatic First Down. I hope his life is as stress free now, as mine was stressful then, when he was here.

[butch rolle]

Much like Damar, who was never intended to be a starting safety, Levi got a bad rap here. He was a perfect system depth corner under McDermott.  Unfortunately, he was athletically overmatched when forced into starting action due to injury. 

 

Keep in mind he did he not only fight and claw to make the 53 man roster as a UDFA, he also WALKED ONTO Alabama to claim a starting role. 

 

Any one else remember when he invited fans to call him during covid lockdown?  I left him a voicemail and he actually called me back.  Unfortunately, I missed his call but still have the voicemail saved.  Just an eternally positive engine that could kind of dude!

Edited October 4 by butch rolle