Andrew Luck, a pro-style quarterback out of Stanford, was the 2-14 Indianapolis Colts' savior. When they drafted him first overall in the 2012 NFL Draft, they made him their fourth starting QB in the past two seasons. Luck took the league by storm, leading the Colts to the playoffs in his first three seasons, and winning the AFC South twice. In the 2014-15 season, the Colts made it all the way to the AFC Championship, where they were defeated by the New England Patriots (who would win the Super Bowl two weeks later). They would never get there again in his career.
On August 24, 2019, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck announced his retirement in a press conference. He cited numerous injuries in his career as the reason for the unexpected end of his football career.
Many people have problems with the way Luck did this and why he did it the way he did. Luck was the savior for the Colts franchise and the city of Indianapolis. He won Comeback Player of the Year for the 2018 NFL season. Like I said in the opener, many thought he was the next Peyton Manning. And then he announced his retirement right before the 2019 season opener. So I have to ask the question that so many people have asked me: was Luck wrong in his decision?
Absolutely not.
Andrew Luck gave everything he had to the Colts organization for seven years. He played the entire season in only FOUR of those seven seasons due to injuries. Additionally, he completely missed the 2017 season due to a lingering shoulder injury from the previous season. He spent the entire 2018 offseason and 2019 preseason rehabbing in preparation for the regular season and playoffs, but he decided that stepping out onto the field again wasn't worth another devastating injury and rehab process. Yes, it's unfortunate that he notified the Colts so late in the offseason that they didn't really have a chance to figure out a new course of action. Yes, the Colts are probably going to miss the playoffs (I like Jacoby Brissett, but don't kid yourself. He's no Luck), but he earned the right to leave on his own terms. He made no mistake in taking the necessary time to weigh the pros and cons of each side.
And finally, for the Colts fans who booed Luck as he ran off the field one last time following his press release: have you no respect? This man poured out his blood, sweat, and tears for you for so many years, and that's your final gesture towards him? I was genuinely ashamed to be a football fan after witnessing that display of lack of dignity and team pride. The NFL as a whole, fans included, should be thanking Luck for his service and wishing him nothing but the best in retirement. I know I am.
