If you are even remotely tuned into the NFL, you have likely heard the news about Andrew Luck’s shock decision to retire from the NFL after six playing seasons. The news comes on the heels of yet another injury setback from this offseason that was shrouded in mystery and saw Luck going through another rigorous rehab campaign.
Since being draft No. 1 overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, Luck has been one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL, but that success came with a very steep cost.
Physical toll on Andrew Luck through 6 NFL seasons:
» Torn cartilage in 2 ribs
» partially torn abdomen
» a lacerated kidney that left him peeing blood
» at least 1 concussion
» a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder
» and this mysterious calf/ankle issue that led to this— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) August 25, 2019
If you understand the NFL and the game of football as a whole, you know those were only the injuries divulged and there could have been many the general public does not even know about. The torn labrum required surgery that cost him the entire 2017 season, and most football fans are smart enough to know that concussion total is probably higher than the single one listed.
Every one of those injuries requires a lengthy recovery process full of rehab and therapy, all which took a toll on Luck’s mental state and washed away his love for the game of football. In the end, Luck decided it was no longer worth putting his body through the meat grinder that is the NFL, and made the smart decision to hang up his cleats for good.
When the news broke, the Colts were playing a preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium. According to Adam Schefter, who broke the news on Twitter, Luck was going to announce his retirement at a press conference on Sunday. Well once word started spreading about Luck decision plans changed and he held a press conference following the game. Leaving the Lucas Oil Stadium field for the final time on Saturday night, Colts fans in attendance rained boos down on their now former franchise quarterback.
You can really hear the booing by the #Colts fans during Andrew Luck’s last walkoff the field in this video. pic.twitter.com/un3RjnV4rQ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 25, 2019
This was all very dumb but a very expected reaction from sports fans who carry a “what have you done for me lately?” type attitude at all times. Luck addressed the booing in his press conference after the game, and yeah, he heard them.
While the boo birds were stupid and short sighted from Colts fans, they will likely someday regret it when looking back on Luck’s career and what he meant to the Colts organization during his time in Indianapolis. The most idiotic statements surrounding Luck’s decision came from sports talking heads, on where else, Twitter.
First up was Fox Sports Radio host Doug Gottlieb, who brought the fire with a truly astounding Boomer-level take.
Retiring cause rehabbing is “too hard” is the most millennial thing ever #AndrewLuck
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) August 25, 2019
Ah yes, Andrew Luck retiring to save his body further abuse in attempt to live a normal life past 40 is just a sign that millennials are ruining the world. Gottlieb, who had to leave Notre Dame because he stole a teammate’s credit card, was rightfully ratioed for his terrible take by other users. Many of the responses included jabs about his past transgressions, but to his credit, he has not deleted the tweet as of this writing.
While Gottlieb’s take falls under the ‘Peak Boomer’ category, he is only 43 years old, making him a member of Gen-X. For some truly boomer level takes, we need to check in on BASKETBALL analyst Dan Dakich. Dakich, an Indiana native and former University of Indiana standout, had some thoughts about Luck’s decision.
Remember, Dakich is a basketball guy.
I’ve told you all for YEARS about this guy!!!! https://t.co/fdSoBq3uyK
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) August 25, 2019
Luck…..Hate to say I told you about Luck but as all the local and national guys were making excuses for him I told you this guy was not real
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) August 25, 2019
Luck has a freaking ankle and a freaking shoulder…just tell us I made a ton of $$$$ and don’t love the sport.. Luck is full of ish and always has been
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) August 25, 2019
Blah blah blah https://t.co/U10Sn2mK6q
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) August 25, 2019
I have family working in steel mills..cops..teachers making far less and this guy is “tired”….. my backside https://t.co/2zx5kutkSL
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) August 25, 2019
Perhaps the best and most ‘Boomer’ take of all.
Gil Brandt and most scouts questioned his commitment when he was drafted..I told you this for years https://t.co/BuGDYzUT8i
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) August 25, 2019
Andrew Luck having passions outside of football were apparently huge red flags for scouts because they questioned his commitment to the game. Truly astounding.
Apparently the mob is after me today!!! Hahahahaha
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) August 25, 2019
**insert Dril corn cob tweet**
The Mob is free to call in today and discuss Lucks retirement …today 2-4 ..don’t hide behind a twitter account let’s discuss 317-239-1070
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) August 25, 2019
“go ahead. keep screaming “Shut The F*** Up ” at me. it only makes my opinions Worse”
Kinda amazing..people say “you don’t know what’s on Lucks heart and mind” yet those same people are certain Luck is leaving because he’s “saving himself “
They know what’s on his heart and mind and no other explanation exists— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) August 25, 2019
This rage tweeting went on for well over 12 hours and you can only imagine the fire spilling for his radio spot on Sunday. Reading through Dakich’s entire timeline, you get the feel he is tweeting more as a Colts fans than any kind of sports analyst he’s being paid to be. Obviously emotions are high in Colts land right now, but unloading on a guy for ensuring he can live a somewhat normal life post football is a truly insane stance to take.
Thankfully, Gottlieb and Dakich were among a minority of people tearing Luck down during what he admitted what the hardest decision of his life. For the most part, people from all corners of the sports world were supportive of Luck and expressed well wishes for whatever he may do in the future.
Very few of us will ever have the chance to be as blessed as Andrew Luck was to play quarterback in the NFL and been genuinely one of the best of his era. It’s sad to see such a promising career cut short, but knowing Luck is at peace with his decision and will hopefully have a normal life moving forward should be enough for fans to support his choice to step away.