These photos from Andrew Luck's retirement announcement are heartbreaking

Andrew Luck’s retirement speech was a thorough explanation of why the Indianapolis Colts retirement was the right decision for him. But even in his apparent confidence in that decision, he was teary-eyed and sad in discussing his retirement with the media and, by extension, the fans.

“This is not an easy decision. Honestly, it’s the hardest decision of my life,” Luck told reporters on 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.”

He then apologized as he began to cry. Photographers, including the AP’s Michael Conroy and the Indy Star’s Grace Hollars, captured Luck’s challenging moment.

Luck has been through so much during his football career, both in terms of criticism and injuries. He demonstrated toughness beyond belief. But perhaps fittingly, Luck showed vulnerability and tears in a moment of heartbreaking candor during his retirement speech as he moved on from the game.