Proof that Andrew Luck Shouldn’t Be Criticized
Photo: Andrew Luck
Brian Spurlock/USA Today Sports
Garett
The most shocking news of the weekend came out of Indianapolis on Saturday night when Colts’ starting quarterback Andrew Luck announced he was retiring from football. Luck, just 29 years old, was one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL and was considered a top MVP candidate going into this year. But citing all his past and present injuries, he decided to hang up the cleats for a normal family life. While many support his decision, there are also many people who are criticizing Luck for quitting on the franchise. When the home crowd received word of his plans to retire at the Colts’ preseason game Saturday night, there were many boos as Luck walked off the field.
Listen, you can’t fault a man for making a life decision that is best for him personally. That’s the bottom line. Andrew Luck didn’t owe anything to the Colts. He gave all he had to that franchise since being drafted in 2012. He was the leader the team needed and a great talent at the most vital position in sports. He gave the franchise many great moments. Unfortunately, he dealt with numerous injuries throughout his career that really drained him physically and mentally, and finally, caused his love for the game to dwindle. Football is a very physical sport and Luck had far from the best offensive lines to protect him over the years. When he made the difficult decision (and you can tell it’s difficult by watching his press conference) to retire, he took into consideration wanting to live a personal life where he wasn’t constantly dealing with aches and pains for the rest of his life from his football playing career. There’s nothing wrong with that at all. And the fans that booed are showing their true colors by demanding a player risk his personal well-being for their own Sunday satisfaction.
But you don’t need me to convince you that criticizing Andrew Luck is wrong. Listen to NFL players (past and present) around the country in vast support of Luck. In a time when NFL players are very outspoken as to how they feel, they are in overwhelming support of Luck because they know the rigors of the NFL and what he has been through. Also listen to his teammates (past and present) if you think he quit on his team. From all of the reactions, Andrew Luck was a great teammate and overall guy. He deserves, just like you and me, to make decisions he feels is best for his life going forward. Below is the overwhelming support, and proof he shouldn’t be criticized, for Luck from around the league: