Andrew Luck is reportedly set to retire at 29 years old, shocking the Indianapolis Colts, the NFL and the world at large two weeks prior to the 2019 season.
Andrew Luck is retiring. That’s no a misprint — it’s the unfortunate truth for the Indianapolis Colts and the NFL at large.
While the Colts were playing their third game of the 2019 preseason on Saturday night, ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news that Luck will retire at 29 years old. The quarterback and team are expected to hold a press conference making the official announcement on Sunday but the Stanford product is hanging up his cleats.
This news comes at a strange time for the Colts as they were expected to not just compete to win the AFC South in the 2019 NFL season but perhaps make a run at a Super Bowl. However, Luck’s health has been a storyline all offseason.
A calf injury has held the quarterback on the sidelines for training camp and the preseason. This also comes relatively fresh off of Luck missing the entire 2017 season due to a shoulder injury.
As shocking as this news is, the Colts may be less stunned than others. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team has been aware of the possibility for a couple of weeks:
The #Colts have known that QB Andrew Luck was seriously mulling retiring for at least two weeks. He’s married, he plans to travel the world, and once the love for the game waned, it sounds like he wanted to step away. So, he did.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 25, 2019
Even if the Colts were aware, though, this goes down as one of the most stunning moments in NFL history. To see a player seemingly in his prime — despite the injuries — decide to retire (especially this close to the regular season) is truly stunning.
Those that cover the NFL were certainly shocked at the news:
This Andrew Luck news is shocking. Most shocking retirement since Barry Sanders.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) August 25, 2019
I’m stunned by the news Andrew Luck is retiring. This was a Super Bowl team. Now they probably won’t make playoffs
— Family of John Clayton (@JohnClaytonNFL) August 25, 2019
1. Andrew Luck has retired. Few things shock me in sports. This is number one. Ever. By a mile. Little intel—Two weeks ago, interviewed his father. We sensed, behind the scenes, this was a VERY touchy subject. Out of respect we stayed away from Andrews health as a topic.
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) August 25, 2019
*checks calendar and sees this is not April 1st... #AndrewLuck pic.twitter.com/sopm4CvACB
— Keyshawn, JWill & Max (@KeyJayandMax) August 25, 2019
In the wake of Luck’s retirement, Jacoby Brissett will now take over the starting role. However, as Brissett is set to become a free agent after the 2019 season, the future of the quarterback position with the Colts is certainly in question now.
Frankly, it’s hard not to still have your jaw on the floor. Andrew Luck was great when on the field and, even though he had a hard time doing just that. To see his career end so suddenly and abruptly is a moment that few fans will forget in NFL history.