Ex-Giant Wilson sheds 'tears of joy'

When the 23-year old Wilson, who was waived-injured by the Giants on Tuesday, spoke of his teammates, he paused twice and brushed away tears with the pocket handkerchief from his suit.

"These are tears of joy," Wilson said. "Don't think I'm sad. There's no need to dwell on the negative, because if you do, then you feel sorry for yourself and you're not living. I'm still healthy. I'll still be able to do the things that I could always do, except play football."

Wilson, the Giants' first-round selection of the 2012 draft out of Virginia Tech, had a solid rookie season. He led the NFL in kickoff-return yardage with 1,533 yards, setting a Giants record. He also rushed for 358 yards.

He had received clearance to return to football activities at the start of training camp 2 weeks ago. But last Tuesday, Wilson caught a pass during a drill, put his head down and ran into the back of an offensive lineman. That hit caused numbness in his hands and lower extremities.

"It was a scary feeling," Wilson said. "I can't hide that fact. But at the same time, I felt perfectly fine and was totally optimistic. I hoped and prayed that I would be cleared. When I say I was really positive, that's what I was. I expected to come back."

But Giants team doctors and the spinal specialist who operated on Wilson agreed that it would be best for Wilson to step away from the game.

"The doctors dealt with this injury before and I'm comfortable with their answer," he said. "They told me that I would live a healthy life. I have a long life to live. I'm only 23 years old. I've been blessed. I lived my dream by playing in the NFL. I was drafted in the first round. I have guys here who support me in whatever I do."

*Johnny Manziel will start Cleveland's exhibition opener on the sideline. Browns coach Mike Pettine chose Brian Hoyer as the starting quarterback for Saturday's game in Detroit, giving the veteran the first chance to impress before Manziel takes the field. Pettine said the decision to start Hoyer over Manziel was based on the veteran's performance so far in training camp.

*Arizona tight end Jake Ballard announced his retirement and traced his decision to the severe knee injury he sustained playing for the New York Giants in the 2012 Super Bowl. "My body never felt the same," he said.

View post:
Ex-Giant Wilson sheds 'tears of joy'