A Giant’s Empathy: David Wilson Weighs in on the Career-Altering Injuries, Cam Skattebo, Saquon Barkley, New Album Dropping On Halloween

Wilson detailed his visceral reaction to Skattebo’s injury, noting he was watching the game live on television in his room, “watching and anticipating the best for the team that changed my life.” He explained that anytime he sees a player get hurt, he immediately hopes it’s not their last play, a memory strongly tied to his own career end. The injury occurring in October against the Eagles—the same opponent and month as his last NFL touchdown—made the moment particularly traumatizing. “I remember cursing and closing my eyes tight, only to come back to the reality and pain of what just happened and how many people that moment just affected,” Wilson recounted.

Seeing a Giants running back carted off with a gruesome lower-leg injury definitely triggered intense memories of his own career-ending neck injury. However, Wilson found strength in the support surrounding Skattebo, making him feel that “it’s not over; it’s the beginning for Skatpack.” He was sad, stating, “I hate injuries. Athletes train and push their bodies to be the best, and it sucks that during this process it’s possible to face so many obstacles, especially injuries.” He noted that the single most important thing for Skattebo right now is to focus on a speedy recovery. “Skat, first off I wish this never happened to you,” Wilson shared, admiring the young player’s energy that “can spark any team.” He reminded Skattebo of a lesson he holds dear: “I always said if you can look up you can get up, and there are now millions waiting to see you stand tall. You got this. Godspeed to a speedy recovery!”

Regarding the support network, Wilson advised against making Skattebo feel rushed or pressured, emphasizing that this is a serious time for him to heal and get better. He stressed the importance of having people around who advocate for his recovery. Wilson noted that because Skattebo plays for the Giants, he can count on the “top tier” fan base and organization for support.

Career Highlights and Hard Truths

Reflecting on the start of his own NFL journey, Wilson recalled the indescribable feeling of being drafted by the Giants in the first round (32nd overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. “Anyone who has ever reached a lifelong goal or made a dream become reality or turned nothing into something, think of me. I did that. Best feeling ever,” he stated.

When asked about his greatest strength as a running back, Wilson pointed to his speed and versatility. His teammates immediately noticed his in-game speed, leading to nicknames like “Turbo” from Carl Banks and eventually “Flip Wilson”—after his endzone backflip celebration—thanks to Brandon Jacobs. Some fans even called him “Duce Duce Pocket Rocket.” Wilson believes his biggest attribute was his ability to score from any part of the field, emphasizing, “I wasn’t one-dimensional.”

He fondly recalled his unforgettable rookie season performance against the Saints, where he set a Giants record for all-purpose yards. “I remember having so much fun and secretly couldn’t wait for the Saints to get at least a field goal so they would have to kick it off, because I knew I could get us at least to the 50, and so I did.”

Looking back on the medical reality that his neck injury would abruptly end his professional playing career, Wilson admits, “Still can’t believe it.” If he could go back to the moment he left the field for the last time, his message to his 22-year-old self would be a mixture of tough love and gratitude: “Hey 22-year-old first rounder, they are gonna try to figure something out, but look at the field one last time and wave to the crowd. Your playing football is over. Did you have fun? Yeah. Did you hear the cheers for you? Yeah. Are you still alive? Yeah… good job!”

The Creative Life Post-NFL

Since leaving the NFL, Wilson has channeled his intensity into creative pursuits. “All of my old football fans know I create music,” he shared, mentioning a new album, titled “And I Made This Beat” set to release on October 31st. He is also an artist and painter, with some of his works, along with his photography, having been turned into NFTs.

He described his navigation of the challenging transition from being an elite, active NFL player to pursuing a post-football career as being “forced into it,” leading him to take it “one day at a time and keep going.” Today, his measure of success is simple compared to chasing an NFL championship: “Peace and creating more.”

On Saquon Barkley and the Eagles/Giants Rivalry

Regarding Saquon Barkley’s departure to a division rival, Wilson took a business-like approach, saying, “Business is business, he know what it is.” He sees a clear parallel between Barkley’s game and his own in terms of explosiveness: Barkley “is definitely a threat regardless, because he can impact the game from presence alone and is capable of scoring whenever he touches the ball.”

Finally, if Wilson had the chance to speak to Saquon right after he signed with the Eagles, he shared a humorous, yet deeply Giant-centric message. “I’d look him in the face and say, ‘What the helly? The Eagles?’ Then I’d proceed to figure out why he’s out here chasing birds. You know who the realest team is. Once a Giant, always a Giant. Gang gang, a whole lotta things. And I’d pat him on the head and let him go about his way.”