An emotional but optimistic David Wilson officially said goodbye to the NFL on Wednesday after doctors had advised him to retire for his own health. In his final press conference with the Giants, Wilson was thoughtful and he kept a good amount of perspective even when the tears came.

“These are tears of joy, man,” the 23-year-old Wilson said. “Don’t for a second you all think that I’m pitying myself or sad, because I got to live my dream.”

“These are tears of joy because as I speak I realize how much people have helped me along the way,” Wilson said. “When you push the pause button you can look at all that. But I plan on pushing play real soon.”

His words for his now-former teammates were equally inspiring:

“I’ll be looking at my teammates this year and forever that I played with, wishing them the best. Every time I watch a Giants game or a football game and see people play who I actually had a chance to meet, I want to watch them go out on that field and I want to see them try to be great. Because it can be taken away. So when I see them go on the field I want to see them every Sunday or Thursday or Monday, I want to see them guys do great.”

Watch the whole conference when you get a chance. It is worth your time.

We wish David the best in his future endeavors. He keeps that attitude up and we’re sure he’ll be just fine.

[Giants][NY Daily News]