If you were a betting man then you’d probably put most of your money down on New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady or New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees to be amongst the most likely to be the next to retire given their age.
Some want to play until their body just can’t take it anymore but you wouldn’t expect it from someone in the prime of their career.
And one of the most shocking NFL retirements occurred over the weekend.
There have been many once-in-a-generation quarterbacks that have entered into the league after having an extraordinary college career. Some live up to expectations and others become some of the biggest busts of all time.
Remember San Diego Chargers quarterback Ryan Leaf? How about the Oakland Raiders JaMarcus Russell?
What about Indianapolis Colts’ Andrew Luck?
Andrew Luck accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the prestigious Stanford University. After redshirting his freshman year, Luck was undeniably the best starting quarterback in college football from 2009-2011. What’s remarkable about Luck is that he didn’t want to enter into the NFL after just two years like most exceptional players do, but instead opted to graduate before he entered into the league.
Luck was considered to be “the best quarterback since Peyton Manning,” which ultimately turned out to be ironic because Luck took Manning’s job in Indianapolis when the Colts decided not to extend his contract.
Luck led the Colts to three consecutive years of 11-5 records and even went to the AFC Championship in 2014.
Since that AFC Championship, Luck hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations with his consistent injuries of a torn labrum, broken ribs and countless others that ended up holding him out the entire 2017 season. Luck was never the same after that.
We’re less than two weeks away from the 2019 NFL season and many believe the Indianapolis Colts were definitely Super Bowl contenders.
That is until Andrew Luck announced on Saturday that he would retire from the NFL at 29-years-old.
An emotional Luck took the podium after the game to a somber gaggle of reporters eagerly awaiting his reasoning. Luck confirmed that he’s never recovered from his injuries and also shockingly admitted he wasn’t in love with the game anymore. He wants to travel and be there for his family.
Andrew Luck explaining his retirement decision, fighting back tears.pic.twitter.com/RANAvmJiUg
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 25, 2019
Who can really blame him? These guys are people too. But Colts fans didn’t see it that way. Luck’s retirement was leaked while he was still on the field and a wave of silence filled the stadium.
That’s when Luck decided he needed to leave the field and as he was walking towards the tunnel, a rain of boos came pouring down.
Colts fans now booing Andrew Luck as he walks off the field. pic.twitter.com/j4kEzgqTz3
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 25, 2019
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That moment was so unbelievably disrespectful and those fans who booed should be ashamed of themselves.
Luck has always been a class act on and off the field.
If you don’t think so, this video will change your mind.
The nicest guy the game has ever seen. 💯 pic.twitter.com/O2vcQqNgm2
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) August 25, 2019
It doesn’t matter how much of a diehard fan you are, you have to respect the fact these players are people too. They’re allowed to be selfish with their lives so that they’re not wheelchair or CTE-ridden by the age of 40. Good for him.