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Luke Willson decides to 'walk away' after signing with Seattle Seahawks, citing heart issue

RENTON, Wash. -- One day after re-signing with the Seattle Seahawks, veteran tight end Luke Willson says he is walking away from football.

In a statement posted Wednesday on Twitter, the 31-year-old Willson wrote that he spent days in the hospital during this offseason with a severe pericardial effusion, which is a buildup of extra fluid in the space around the heart

"That situation has really challenged me as an individual and changed my perspective on a lot of things with regards to my life," Willson wrote. "After reflecting on everything yesterday and being in the building, I have decided that it's time for me to begin with the next chapter of my life.