Andrew Luck's sensible decision stands out in a sport where so many bad ones happen
Football, by nature, is a bad decision. The sport is as violent as it is captivating, beautiful and tactical. And signing up to play, whether for one day or 30 years, can be tremendously damaging to one’s physical well-being. Andrew Luck reminded us of that sobering reality.
Not only does the sport hurt on a play-to-play basis, but it can cause injuries which end up causing life-long pain to the player and, in some cases, to those around that player. So while Luck’s retirement at first came as a shock, the truth is that it’s not surprising. The Indianapolis Colts quarterback has made $97 million (in salary; there’s also endorsements to consider), and is leaving the NFL to pursue a more full life. He has the choice to step away from work, retire young, travel the world and diminish the amount of daily pain he endures.
“This is not an easy decision. Honestly, it’s the hardest decision of my life,” Luck told reporters Saturday. “But it is the right decision for me. For the last four years, I’ve been in a cycle of injury, pain, rehab. And it’s been unceasing and unrelenting both in season and offseason. I’ve felt stuck in it and the only way I see out is to no longer play football. It’s taken the joy out of this game.”
That decision sounds perfectly reasonable, even if it’s deeply complicated. He is walking away from a contract that offers him $51.8 million in future money (and, likely, more contracts like it). He’s also walking away from a career that, if lengthened, might have put him in the Super Bowl and the Hall of Fame.
And perhaps Luck’s decision feels surprising because he has long been a mad man on the football field. He’s been the poster child of bad decisions with a gladiatorial attitude. Even while dealing with injuries and pain, he would commend his opponents for delivering big hits that drew more pain and more injuries. Fans enjoyed that relentless — and totally insane — response.
His toughness should not be in question. Over the course of his career, Luck has sustained the following injuries (that have been made public), as noted by The Athletic’s Zak Keefer. He’s been able to play through many of these issues.
- Torn cartilage in two ribs.
- Partially torn abdomen.
- A lacerated kidney that left him peeing blood.
- At least one concussion.
- A torn labrum in his right, throwing shoulder.
- The most recent undisclosed calf/ankle issue.
After seeing this list and hearing his explanation, the surprise of Luck’s retirement wears off. It’s easy to understand why he’s leaving the game.
When Luck made a rational decision, the response was not. The NFL world is irrational. Fans are, by definition, fanatical. Sports media members can be deeply opinionated — some spout the strongest and wildest idea they can find on a topic with hopes of drawing a crowd. Provocation can play well. And so fans and media members made the bad decision of criticizing Luck.
Luck was booed as he left the field during a preseason game on Saturday night. (He did not play.) In spite of that slap in the face from the home crowd, Luck showed love for Indy.
“My wife and I are proud, when we’re asked where we’re from, to say we’re from Indianapolis. This is our home,” he told reporters.
Media members and fans tore into the retired quarterback on social media, too. These unfair and generally anonymous criticisms are a regular part of an NFL player’s life. They are one of the many bad decisions that take place in the NFL environment. It’s easy to imagine Luck is ready to phase out those people, who have been obsessed with him since before he was the No. 1 overall pick and was considered one of the best quarterback prospects since Peyton Manning.
It’s also a wonder that more players of Luck’s caliber and intelligence haven’t left the field like he is doing. He’s done being a gladiator. Luck, a Stanford grad, has a degree in architectural design, and could pursue another form of employment, much like any 29-year-old might consider a career change. And perhaps more 20- and 30-year-olds in the NFL will consider making the brave and challenging decision that Luck has made.
It’s good that Luck’s retirement came too soon rather than too late. He was tired of being in pain, and found a solution to make it stop. Perhaps the healing can truly begin.