Former Dallas Cowboys linebacker, Leighton Vander Esch, retired from the NFL on March 18, 2024. In his retirement statement, Vander Esch expressed gratitude for his NFL career but acknowledged his body’s limitations.
Throughout his career, Vander Esch found consistent support from his wife, Maddy Vander Esch, formerly Madalynn Tucker. So, who’s the woman who stuck by the former Dallas Cowboys LB through thick and thin?
Meet Leighton Vander Esch’s wife Maddy Vander Esch
Maddy is a barrel racer with a passion for hunting experiences. She shares her athletic background with Leighton, having played basketball in high school and college at Boise State University. She hails from a close-knit family, being the eldest child of Levi and Abigail Tucker, with siblings Jimmy and Audrey Faith.
The couple married in July 2019, shortly after Leighton’s selection by the Cowboys in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Their family expanded with the arrival of their first child, Navy Grace, on January 8, 2024.
Taking to Instagram, Maddy Vander Esch wrote a tribute post for the former Dallas Cowboys LB who is just retiring at 28 after suffering a neck injury last NFL season.
Mrs. Vander Esch wrote:
“Leighton, I feel so honored to have witnessed your career alongside you. I cannot articulate, without tears, how proud I am to be 55’s wife. I am so proud of you, proud to be your wife, proud of Navy’s daddy. YOU have so much to be proud of.”
She continued:
“Lots of people have asked us why we named our daughter ‘Navy.’ Initially, we heard the name and loved it, but navy blue is so symbolic of the last 6 years here in Dallas to us. I love that her name will always remind us of this era of our lives.”
Maddy added:
“Football has been nothing short of a roller coaster for us. He had his first career touchdown the week before a career-ending injury. 🎢 We knew the night of his injury that he would likely never see the field again. I am thankful for the private time we’ve had to make peace with it, but have undoubtedly grieved for what the injuries took from him.”
“It’s a grind. But Leighton is steady. His highs are never too high, lows never too low. He is a silent leader in all aspects of his life, a warrior. I’ve watched him battle setback after setback, with nothing but gratitude for another opportunity. All the while, remaining kind, supportive, and present for me.”
“As I reflect on the last 6 years of football, I will always cherish game-day breakfasts, film & more film, good luck texts, the ‘go get ‘em babe’s, nervous tears, nervous chills, friends that literally became family, hearing the whole stadium howling, 3rd down stops, first career touchdown, 55 jerseys in the crowd, pre-game prayers, tearful embraces after wins, tearful embraces after losses, silent rides home, jam sessions on the way home, ‘Why the h*ll isn’t he in on 3rd down’, sacks, interceptions, tackles, the ‘I shoulda had that’ ones.”
“I have LOVED watching him play, loved the way football stretched us and bonded us. What an amazing ride it has been. God has shown up time and time again in our story. He has blessed us beyond what we deserve, guided us, protected us, and given us an incredible testimony. I am looking forward to supporting Leighton in this next chapter. I am thankful his body gets a chance to heal now. I am ready to watch him thrive as a father, businessman, funny farmer, or whatever comes our way.”
During the previous NFL season, Leighton Vander Esch sustained an injury in Week 5 against San Francisco when he was unexpectedly shoved from behind, causing his neck to collide with teammate Micah Parsons’ right leg. On October 16, 2023, he was sidelined due to injury and placed on the injured reserve list. Later, on November 14, 2023, Jerry Jones officially announced that Leighton Vander Esch would be unable to participate for the remainder of the 2023-2024 NFL season.
As a result, he is strongly considering retiring from the NFL due to medical concerns.
