Buffalo Bills Player Tommy Doyle Forced to Medically Retire at Age 26

Buffalo Bills player Tommy Doyle is medically retiring from the NFL.

Doyle, 26, announced the news of his retirement on Friday, Feb. 14, after a recent left leg injury left him with “nerve damage,” according to a release from the team. 

“At this point, with the calendar and the healing process, it looks as though it’s permanent,” Doyle said of the leg injury in a statement. “I’m just unable to play football at a high level, and it’s time. When you know you know.”

Doyle — who has played as an offensive lineman for the Bills for four years since being drafted by the team in the 2021 NFL draft — sustained the injury during the second preseason game against the Steelers in August 2023, according to the team. 

He has had to deal with other injuries during the span of his career, including an ACL tear on his right leg during the beginning of the 2022 season. Doyle noted in his statement that he had been “battling” to make a comeback from that injury when his most recent major injury happened.

“I was really battling and competing and working to come back from that (ACL) injury, only to be kind of struck with an even more disastrous injury,” Doyle said. 

“But at the end of the day, there [were] a lot of negative emotions and anger…,” he added. “Doing a lot of reflecting lately and looking back on it, I’ve learned a lot of valuable lessons from it.”

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After taking some time to reflect on the injuries and his time on the field, Doyle said he ultimately decided to retire and take his talents beyond the realm of football. 

“Football is something that I’ve loved and put my life into,” Doyle said. “And I put a lot of time, effort and energy to try to get back on the field. But ultimately, that’s really not the plan God has for me, and I know that to be true. I feel that this is the time to announce it and move on.”

Doyle didn’t say what his plans were for the future, but noted that the Bills would forever have a place in his heart. He noted that he still planned to cheer them on — except from the audience bleachers instead of directly on the field. 

He said, “I’d probably like to come to a tailgate and drink some Labatt Blue Lights.”

Doyle notably played in 11 games during his rookie season with the team, according to the Bills. The team said one of the things he will be remembered best for was helping his team win against New England 47-17 after catching a “one-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Josh Allen during the fourth quarter against the Patriots in the Wild Card round.”

As for what the offensive lineman will take away from his time on the team, he said it will be the “relationships formed with the guys on the team, with the coaches, with the trainers, with the fans.” 

“It’s an amazing town. It’s an amazing city. The fan base is awesome. Throughout my four years playing in Buffalo, just the different locker rooms and how tight knit it was, was something truly special,” he explained.