OPINION

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By Henry Bush

The lights are bright and Indianapolis fans are excited for the upcoming season of Colts football. During a preseason loss at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, August 24, the sudden retirement of star quarterback Andrew Luck surfaces during the fourth quarter. Hurt, angry, and worried about the future of the team, the crowd starts booing a man who gave everything he had for their organization. 

The 29-year-old quarterback hoped to be entering the prime of his career after a fantastic 2018 season. He threw for 39 touchdowns, totaled over 4500 passing yards, and had a 67% completion percentage. Although it was his best year to date, he still suffered from physical pain. Throughout his football career, Luck suffered several injuries, including torn cartilage in two ribs, a partially torn abdomen, a lacerated kidney, at least one concussion, a torn labrum, and a calf and ankle injury. All of these injuries accumulated and contributed to his retirement. 

Fans are still confused why this decision happened so suddenly after a year in which Luck established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Luck described the pain he still experiences in his retirement interview: “I’m still in pain. It’s been four years of this injury-pain-rehab cycle.” These injuries also have affected his mental health. He clearly states, “I haven’t been able to live the life I want to live.” Football is known to be a fairly dangerous sport for those who play. Luck isn’t the only player to retire because of injuries early in their career. Long-term injuries have proven to be more catastrophic for a players health. As reported in The Match by Stephen Laming (’19) in 2017, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects many NFL players, years after their playing careers are over. CTE can ultimately lead to dementia. 

Indianapolis was distraught by Luck’s decision to retire at the young age of 29. The team had little idea that retirement was even an option. Frank Reich, head coach of the Colts, said, “There’s no doubt when you hear him talk about the cycle of pain and injury and rehab, you can hear that… There’s a saying in football that everyone knows and everybody lives by, it’s ‘Next man up.’ And even though this situation is unique, no one is exempt.” Reich understands what emotional and physical struggles Luck is going through daily. His absence within the Colts locker room will be missed, but general manager Chris Ballard believes that there are still things to accomplish with this team. He said, “Teams win. Don’t write the end of the story yet. I’m telling you, the story’s not over yet.”

Luck throwing a pass against the Browns in 2014. Photo credit: Erik Daniel Drost.

Luck began his football career at Stanford University, where he was a starter for three years. His sophomore season is when he broke onto the scene, but his junior season was even better. He was awarded Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year honors in both seasons, and the Walter Camp Player of the Year award, while throwing for 37 touchdowns and 3,500 passing yards. Following his impressive junior season, the Colts made him the number one pick during the 2012 NFL draft. In his first six seasons as the Colts’ starting quarterback, Luck has the second-most touchdowns by any quarterback in their first six seasons. In his final season, he was awarded the 2018 AP Comeback Player of the year award. In his eight total seasons as the Colts’ starting quarterback, Luck recorded a record of 53-33 and propelled the Colts into the playoffs four times. 

The physical and mental pain he experienced over his eight-year football career would be excruciating for any person. His love for football was ultimately not enough for him to put himself through the pain, year after year. Recently, Luck married his longtime girlfriend, and they are expecting a child. His decision was ultimately in the best interest of himself. He is an NFL quarterback, but, most importantly, he is a father and a husband. 

Some people in the Collegiate community look down upon Luck’s decision to retire. “I don’t blame Andrew Luck on his decision to retire. He is going through some mental struggles because of the injuries, and he has a child on the way. I do, however, believe that his decision was selfish. He left his team without a quarterback,” says NFL fan Bryson Raquet (‘21). 

Others respect his decision and believe that it was the best thing for him to do. “I don’t blame Luck for his decision. In his first three years in the NFL, the Colts’ offensive line was horrendous. He took too many hits early in his career, and it all could have been prevented if the Colts would have invested in their offensive line,” says Heth Alexander (‘21). 

Brissett and Luck. Photo credit: Keith Allison.

With Luck’s retirement, a new quarterback must be the savior of the Colts. The Colts believe that the man for the job is Jacoby Brissett. Brissett was the backup quarterback for the New England Patriots before he became a Colt. Brissett was able to study under all-time great Tom Brady, and under Luck before getting his first permanent starting role for the Colts. 

In 2017, Brissett got to start his first season in the NFL with average numbers. He played all 16 games and threw thirteen touchdowns, with a fifty-eight percent completion percentage. These numbers seem much worse than what the Colts’ front office thinks he will produce this year. After Luck’s retirement, Brissett signed a new extension for two years and will make 30 million dollars. The signing of Brissett to an extension clearly shows that Brissett is their quarterback for the immediate future. 

Brissett is looking like a promising franchise quarterback for the Colts. His apprenticeship under Brady and Luck will serve him well in the league. He has all of the tools to be an every-Sunday quarterback. The Colts have talented receivers, including T.Y. Hilton, Parris Campbell, and Eric Ebron, for Brissett to target in his first year as the Colts future quarterback. 

With any early retirement, there is the possibility of returning. In Luck’s situation, various hypotheticals have floated around the league. Luck is almost thirty years old, so that leaves some time for a possible return. His injuries will hopefully fade away, and his appearance during his retirement interview made it very clear that this decision was not what he wanted, but what he needed. His talent as a quarterback is unmatched, his love for the game is immense, and his passion for others is great. After a year or two, we may see an injury-free Andrew Luck ready to take the NFL by storm once again.

Featured image credit: Keith Allison.