Former Dallas Cowboys OL retires from NFL after 'terrifying' blood clot

Former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Billy Price has retired from the National Football League at the age of 29 because of potential complications from a blood clot.

Price, a former first-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018, revealed on social media that he had an emergency pulmonary embolism surgery last month in order to remove a blood clot that was entering both of his lungs.

Price described the medical condition as "terrifying" and said that he is "truly thankful to be alive today" before making his retirement official.

"In the blink of an eye, everything can be taken away," Price wrote on Instagram . "On April 24th I had emergency pulmonary embolism surgery to remove a saddle clot that was entering both of my lungs. As a healthy 29 year old, an unprovoked pulmonary embolism with no further medical explanation is terrifying. I am truly thankful to be alive today.

"Unfortunately, I will be retiring from the NFL as the risk of an internal bleed while on blood thinners creates tremendous risk."

Price spent the 2023 campaign with the Cowboys on the practice squad but did not appear in any games. Along with his stint with Dallas, Price also spent three years with the Bengals and one with the Arizona Cardinals .

Price started a total of 45 of the 69 games he played in during his career, playing at both center and guard. He played his college ball at Ohio State before entering the NFL.