Former Cowboys Star's Father Arrested For Attempted Strangulation

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The father of a former Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowler was reportedly arrested over the weekend on disturbing charges.

Darwin Vander Esch, the father of retired Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, was arrested outside of Riggins, Idaho early Sunday morning, according toThe Lewiston Tribune. Police received a report of domestic battery, and upon responding, arrested Vander Esch, 61.

According to the Idaho County Sheriff's Office, Vander Esch was arrested for felony attempted strangulation and cited for misdemeanor domestic battery and misdemeanor intentional destruction of a telecommunication device.

This isn't the elder Vander Esch's first time in the news, though he made headlines in 2019 for much more pleasant reasons when he rescued an injured elk hunter.

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Leighton Vander Esch #55 of the Dallas Cowboys gets set against the Indianapolis Coltsdefends against the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium on December 4, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

A native of Riggins, Leighton Vander Esch was a first-round pick of the Cowboys back in 2018 after a stellar career at Boise State.

As a rookie, the 6-foot-4, 256-pound linebacker made the Pro Bowl and was named second-team All-Pro as he 140 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass breakups.

Unfortunately, a neck injury limited him to nine games in 2019 and a broken collarbone kept him to only 10 appearances in 2020. Vander Esch played in all 17 games in 2021, making 77 tackles and recording a sack, and was able to make 14 starts in 2022, when he logged 90 total stops.

However, another neck issue cut short Vander Esch's 2023 campaign after only five games, and resulted in him retiring back in March after six NFL seasons.

"Seldom do you come across a player like Leighton, who grew up playing eight-man football only to first play the 11-man game at the major collegiate level and excel," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said at the time of Vander Esch's retirement. "His passion and love for the game was contagious, and from the moment he arrived, he has been a difference maker. His grit, toughness, motivation, determination and football IQ will be sorely missed."