Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch (neck) retiring

(Photo credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)
Former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch announced Monday that he is medically retiring from the NFL after six seasons.

The team released the 28-year-old veteran on Friday with a failed physical designation due to a lingering neck injury.

"I love the game of football so much, and my body won't cooperate any longer," Vander Esch said in a statement released by the