"That's certainly not what I imagined," says Andrew Luck at the beginning of the press conference, making his lips writhe in a convulsive smile. The quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts is fighting for words. After less than a minute, the bearded man with the snarling baritone tears for the first time. Luck does not want to play football anymore. At 29, his career comes to an end, two weeks before the start of the season.
"To be able to lead my life in the future as I want, football can not be part of it," Luck told reporters after a test game by the Colts against the Chicago Bears. He is stuck in a process that has cost him the joy of the game, a cycle of injuries, pain and rehab: "I'm tired, and not just physically."
The 29-year-old is not the only one who has imagined his career end differently. The son of former NFL quarterback Oliver Luck is among the best in his position since the beginning of his career. He is a super talent, someone who has been the subject of numerous individual awards, records and titles.
Dear luck as a legend
Prior to his arrival in the NFL, Luck played in California for the college team of Stanford University. When he signed up for the Draft in 2012, he was surrounded by such hype that the Colts took a gamble: after 13 years, they handed over Peyton Manning, one of the best quarterbacks in history, to make room for Luck.
Michael Wyke / AP
Andrew Luck in action: The quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts was considered a supertalent
The familiarization in the professional league was not difficult for the young passer. Straight away, he led the Colts three years in a row in the playoffs and always took part in the Pro Bowl, the all-star game of the NFL. The best result was the semifinals 2014/2015 against eventual champion New England Patriots with star quarterback Tom Brady. The game was known as "Deflategate" for allegedly too weak inflated balls.
Then came the injuries. The 2015/2016 season could not end Luck, after he had an abdominal muscle injury and a kidney rupture, so that he urinated blood. The Colts missed the playoffs, as well as the year after, as Luck played despite a damaged shoulder and had to be operated on after the season - whereupon he missed the entire season 2017/2018.
Physical great on Andrew Luck through 6 NFL seasons:
»Torn cartilage in 2 ribs
»Abdomen partially torn
"A lacerated kidney that left him peeing blood
»At least 1 concussion
»A torn labrum in his throwing shoulder
»And this mysterious calf / ankle issue that led to this
"After 2016, when I was in pain and could not exercise regularly, I vowed not to go down that path again," Luck said at the press conference. "I find myself in a similar situation again and the only way forward is me retire from the football. " Because of ailments he had to expose a large part of the season preparation.
Luck pays for his resignation a high price - literally. According to Colts owner Jim Irsay, the 29-year-old could have earned up to $ 500 million in his career. Last season was the best for four years, the Colts reached the second playoff round and at the end of the season Luck was named comeback player of the year.
Therefore, Indianapolis was actually considered the title candidate for the upcoming season. A broad, relatively young squad without blatant weaknesses, one of the best quarterbacks in the league, a lot of salary - evidence of a successful future. Recently, "ESPN" compiled a list of the teams with the best prospects for years to come. First place went to the Colts.
Luck is ticking differently
Against this background triggered Luck's decision with some fans from incomprehension. During the friendly against Chicago, the rumor of Luck's resignation spread. As he trotted one last time from the field of the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis after the end of the game, boos from some spectators accompanied him. "I want to be honest," said Luck: "That hurt."
Andrew Luck gets booed walking off the field as fans learn about his reported retirement
(via @ RichNye13, h / t @brgridiron) pic.twitter.com/vbks2IIUe9
That Luck works differently than most of his football colleagues, one does not know only since this sudden end of career. While many professionals are used to and even looking for attention, Luck has always been an introverted type. When it came to football, he fell into a minute-long verbiage, he did not want to talk about private things, who recently married his childhood friend.
Bobby Ellis / AFP
"Say it's not true, Andrew!" The fans reacted in disbelief to the resignation rumors
Away from the sport Luck has fallen out of time. Sweaty workout clothes instead of designer outfits. No gold jewelry, no expensive cars, no Instagram. Only the "Andrew Luck Book Club" has an account. Luck regularly distributes books to his teammates in the cabin, his own favorite work is "Papillon" by Henri Charrière from 1969, his favorite musician Bruce Springsteen. Based on his idiom, there is a Twitter account that retells Luck's career in fictitious letters from a Civil War soldier.
Dearest mother -
The quill has never felt more heavy. I've made the decision to holster my sidearm permanently. I shall battle no more. The decision is difficult, but, as the hogs taught me, I must be true to myself. I am coming home to care for you and the farm.
- Andrew
The life of a football professional has never interested Luck. Just the sport itself. "Many people love to be in the NFL, not so many really love football," said Colts pro Matt Hasselbeck once "The Athletic": "Andrew Luck loves football." This love is now extinguished.