It’s heartbreaking: A very loyal Indianapolis player has announced his sudden retirement, sending a powerful statement and bidding the team and supporters a heartfelt farewell.
Luck, who turns 30 on September 12, had previously met with Jim Irsay, the owner of the Colts, to inform him of the choice.
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The Colts and Chicago Bears squared off in their third preseason game on Saturday night in Indianapolis. Despite being unable to play due to an ankle injury, Luck was spotted chatting and laughing with teammates on the sidelines.
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Luck made his announcement during an unplanned 25-minute press conference following the game. Although he had originally intended to make an official announcement Sunday afternoon, he backed off when he learned of the developments during the game.
“I’ve been stuck in this process,” Luck remarked, pausing a few times to collect his feelings. “I’ve been unable to lead the life that I would like to lead. The only thing I can do to move forward is to stop playing football because it has taken the enjoyment out of the game.
“Making this choice is not simple. It’s the most difficult choice I’ve ever made. But for me, this is the right choice.
The promising career of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft—who was selected to replace Peyton Manning—is ended by Luck’s early retirement. During his first three seasons in the NFL, Luck guided the Colts to the postseason each year. In 2014, he made an appearance in the AFC Championship Game and won back-to-back AFC South titles.
However, in Week 3 of the 2015 season, he sustained a shoulder injury that severely damaged his career. His injuries to his kidney, ribs, and shoulder prevented him from playing in 26 games, including the entire 2017 campaign. While on the sidelines during the 2017 season, Luck began to doubt his ability to play professionally.
It was just going to be another typical preseason Saturday night. But then the league was shocked to learn that Andrew Luck was retiring. Here’s how a few quarterbacks from teams that played on Saturday night responded to the announcement:
Deshaun Watson said, “It was astounding. It was something that, naturally, took everyone by surprise. Hey, at least he has power over his own destiny.
He is a superb athlete. He excels as a quarterback. ranked among the league’s top five quarterbacks. He has good intentions behind his actions. For himself.
Drew Brees: “I suppose I’m just like everyone else.” a little taken aback and stunned as well. In fact, we learned about it while we were watching from the sidelines—someone had discovered it during play. Hey, Andrew’s a buddy. I’ll occasionally text back and forth with him. I will therefore be contacting him to see how he is doing.”
Russell Wilson: “I’m hoping that he continues to be inspired. Not only can this game be physically taxing, but it can also be emotionally, spiritually, and physically taxing. Through it all, I believe he has shown class the entire time. There’s a lot of pressure on him because he was the top pick and everything, but I think he handled it really well and with grace, leading to an amazing career for the length of his playing career.”
“Helluva player, helluva player,” said Dak Prescott. Amazing guy. From what little I’ve heard, he’s able to chat with him before a game and share a few things. Thus, honor his choice and send him my best wishes. Just know that watching him around the league and picking up little tips was one of my favorite things to do. I hate to see such a great player leave the game, but as I mentioned, I don’t know the specifics, and I don’t want to talk about it. I have no right to a viewpoint on that.
“I know Andrew; he’s a great football player, but he’s also a great human being,” said Patrick Mahomes. Though I haven’t seen the whole story, I have faith that he will choose what’s best for his family and himself.
He demonstrated that he was still among the best quarterbacks in the game by throwing for 4,593 yards and 39 touchdowns to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year and lead the Colts back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2014 campaign.
But earlier in the season, Luck was sidelined by a calf strain that prevented him from participating in the team’s minicamp and offseason activities. Luck was only a full participant for three days of training camp before it was announced he was closing it down due to his inability to move in the pocket.
He uttered, “I’m in pain; I’m still in pain.” “This cycle of pain and rehab has lasted for four years. There are several problems, including a high ankle sprain, posterior ankle impingement, and calf strain. Finding a way to feel better will be a part of my future journey.
Luck told reporters on Saturday night that he began considering retirement two weeks ago. According to general manager Chris Ballard, the parties began debating the decision early this past week.
“It was Monday,” Ballard mentioned. “We all got together, had a conversation, and carried on all week. emotional conversations between us. There were no negative, sentimental conversations. Just a few sincere conversations. but was unable to understand. I observed Andrew’s recovery from the shoulder injury, his daily regimen, and his problem-solving techniques. From the moment he entered the building, he followed the same procedure. He arrived on Monday and immediately got to work on this.”
For a Colts team that advanced to the second round of the playoffs the previous year and was regarded by many as having a roster capable of winning the Super Bowl in 2019, this is shocking news.
“It’s really challenging,” Luck remarked. “I love this team; I love my teammates.”
With 2,000 completions on 3,290 attempts, 23,671 yards, 171 touchdowns, and 83 interceptions, Luck ends his career with a high total. However, some Colts supporters didn’t seem to remember those numbers and instead jeered him as he left the field after the game on Saturday.
In 2017, Brissett started 15 games for Indianapolis and threw for 3,098 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while Luck was sidelined by various injuries. Brissett started 15 games for the Colts, who finished with a 4-11 record. He finished 27th out of 30 qualified quarterbacks with a 43.3 total QBR and 30th out of 32 with a 58.8 completion percentage.
Andrew Fortune by the Figures
171: career passing touchdowns, the highest of any player who hasn’t participated in a game since turning 30.
Out of a possible 112 games, he participated in 86 NFL games (he missed 16 in 2017 because of a shoulder injury, 1 in 2016 because of a concussion, 7 in 2015 because of a kidney, and 2 in 2015 because of a shoulder injury).
39: TD passes last season—the most of any quarterback in NFL history—following a season without playing
33: The number of victories in his first three seasons is tied with Russell Wilson’s 36; Dan Marino’s 33; and Matt Ryan’s 33, for the second-most by a quarterback in the first three seasons of the Super Bowl era.
19.6: Since joining the league in 2012, the average fantasy points have been, ranking third among quarterbacks in that time.
In the Colts’ all-time record, Luck is ranked third in pass yards (23,671), pass touchdowns (171), completions (2,000), and quarterback wins (53).
–ESPN Data & Statistics
But with two weeks remaining in the regular season, Luck, Ballard, Irsay, and coach Frank Reich all threw their support behind Brissett.
We have a strong football team. Ballard remarked, “This is a good football team.” “We’re not old. We are strong in both areas. We have a few talented players. And a young quarterback of promise. We won’t ask Jacoby Brissett to take Andrew Luck’s place. Andrew Luck was a very special kind of player. However, Jacoby Brissett is a successful football player in this league and—I believe Andrew mentioned this—a very unique leader. Yes, he is. Man, he’s a unique human being. Jacoby Brissett is adored in that locker room.”
Following the Luck announcement, sportsbooks moved swiftly, extending Indianapolis’ odds to win the AFC, the Super Bowl, and the AFC South in addition to eliminating the point spread on the Colts’ Week 1 road game against the Chargers.
The Colts had trailed the Chargers by four points. Indianapolis’ Super Bowl odds went from 12-1 to 30-1, its AFC odds from 7-1 to 15-1, and its AFC South odds from -135 to +210 at Caesars Sportsbook.
