First-Round Pick Who Opened Up About Scary Attempted Suicide Announces Retirement From NFL At 32

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Hayden Hurst is retiring from football after eight years in the NFL.

Hurst, who thankfully survived a suicide attempt, was once a top baseball prospect. He went on to play in the NFL and later became a mental health advocate. 

The tight end did not play in 2025 and last appeared in a game with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024. 

The 32-year-old is best remembered for his two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, when he made 82 catches off 119 targets for 792 yards and nine touchdowns. 

A first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Hurst played for the Baltimore Ravens, who selected him No. 25 overall, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Carolina Panthers.

Now, after eight years, he has chosen to walk away from the game.

“About a year overdue but life sped up on me these last 12 months,” he announced in an Instagram post. “I want to thank everyone that has been a part of my journey and helped me navigate this crazy life over the last 15 years of my sports journey.”

Hayden Hurst Woke Up In A Hospital After Trying To Kill Himself

Hayden Hurst was a standout high school baseball player in Florida. The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him in 2012, and he even went on to pitch in the minor leagues.

He then got a case of the “yips,” which saw his career spiral, leading to depression. 

Hurst later played football as a walk-on at the University of South Carolina.

His new pursuits hardly meant his struggles were over, however. He battled substance abuse and intense anxiety, hitting a low point when he woke up handcuffed to a hospital bed after slitting his wrists. 

Fortunately, Hurst was able to turn things around, carving out a respectable NFL career and taking on several charitable drives.