Former NFL Player Now Confined to a Wheelchair 2 Years After Retirement, Wife Reveals, as She Shares ‘What You Don’t See’

The wife of former NFL defensive tackle Louis Leonard is offering an inside look at his life after the NFL.

Accompanying her 41-year-old husband to doctor’s appointments and physical therapy, Lacey Leonard showed fans “the part of his story that many people don’t see” in an Instagram Reel on Saturday, Jan. 17.

“My husband survived the NFL, but now he’s surviving everything it left behind,” said Lacey, who revealed in May 2024 that she and the former NFL player remarried in 2018.

“People see the glory, the lights, the crowds, but they don’t see this — the aftermath, the pain, the stiffness, the tremors, the battle his body fights every single day,” Lacey continued in a voiceover over video footage of Louis working with physical therapists and moving through hospitals in a wheelchair.

“This is our reality,” Lacey said. “Physical therapy at the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, a warrior learning to move again, step-by-step and punch-by-punch.”

She added that “through it all,” the former NFL player “doesn’t complain.”

“He shows up, he fights, he keeps going,” Lacey said of her husband. “This is strength, this is courage, this is life after the NFL. It’s not all glitz and glam, and it does come with a price.”

Louis played in the NFL from 2007-2010 for the San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers.

Lacey also offered a “piece of advice” to significant others and family members of retired NFL players, saying, “Don’t romanticize this life. The real work happens after the game is long over.”

Lacey captioned her post, “If you’re a wife, partner, or caregiver navigating this life AFTER the NFL too, you’re not alone. You can connect with me here for support, resources, and real conversations.”

The couple quickly received support from fans and friends for sharing the reality of life after the NFL. Former star wide receiver Terrell Owens commented, “People just don’t know!!!”

Faris Khan, a professional trainer and former member of the Duke men’s tennis team, wrote, “I trained a retired NFL Lineman. He is not even 50 yet and from his own words he said the pain his body has now was not worth the millions he made 😌.”

Actor Terry Crews showed his support too, writing, “AMEN🙏🏾❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥.”

Another commenter said, “Keep sharing. As an ex NFL wife this is the part no one see. It takes a real woman to stay around. I applaud you sister.”