In a poignant reminder of the hidden struggles behind professional sports, former NFL player Louis Leonard, now 41, finds himself navigating life from a wheelchair, 16 years after leaving the league in 2010.

His wife, Lacey Leonard, recently took to social media to shed light on ‘the part of his story that many people don’t see,’ cautioning fans against idolizing the glamorous image of NFL life.

On Saturday, Lacey shared a heartfelt Instagram reel, chronicling her husband’s journey through numerous medical appointments and physical therapy sessions as he battles Parkinson’s disease.

“People see the glory, the lights, the crowds, but they don’t see this — the aftermath, the pain, the stiffness, the tremors, the battle his body fights every single day,” Lacey narrated over clips of Louis receiving physical therapy.

“This is our reality,” she emphasized. “Physical therapy at the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, a warrior learning to move again, step-by-step and punch-by-punch.”

Former NFL player Louis Leonard is confined to a wheelchair after retiring from the NFL 

His wife, Lacey, opened up ‘the part of his story that many people don’t see’ on social media 

Amidst these challenges, Lacey highlighted her husband’s resilience, noting that “through it all,” he continues to face his health struggles without complaint.

‘He shows up, he fights, he keeps going,’ Lacey said of her husband. ‘This is strength, this is courage, this is life after the NFL. It’s not all glitz and glam, and it does come with a price.’

Leonard played college football for Fresno State before being signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2007. 

He went on to have brief stints with the St Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers. 

He retired from football in 2010 after being released by the New England Patriots that December. 

His wife has previously revealed that Leonard had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and stage-4 kidney disease. 

She has opened up on the struggles of affording medical care, revealing that NFL only provides 5 years of health coverage. 

Lacey shared advice to other wives and girlfriends of NFL player as she warned them: ‘Don’t romanticize this life. The real work happens after the game is long over.’ 

Leonard played college football for Fresno State before being signed by the Chargers

The defenseman walked away from the game in 2010 after brief stints with several teams 

Lacey’s post was well-received with the comment section quickly flooded with well-wishes and messages of support. 

Former NFL player turned TV star Terry Crew replied: ‘AMEN.’

Faris Khan, a professional trainer and former member of the Duke men’s tennis team, wrote, ‘I trained a retired NFL Lineman. He is not even 50 yet and from his own words he said the pain his body has now was not worth the millions he made.’

Others thanked Lacey for her transparency with one social media user adding: ‘“Survived the NFL” wow that was powerful.’

‘Keep sharing. As an ex NFL wife this is the part no one see. It takes a real woman to stay around. I applaud you sister,’ another posted. 

Lacey and Leonard divorced in 2012 following his retirement from the league. However, they reconciled and remarried in 2018. 

Lacey is a member of Off the Field Player’s Wives Association, a network of active and retired NFL player’s wives whose mission is to perform and support philanthropic initiatives that enhance the quality of life for those in the community.