INDIANAPOLIS — Andrew Luck is planning on retiring, he announced during a press conference after Saturday's post-game press conference.
Luck, a quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, said injuries played a role in his decision, something he said was one of the hardest decisions he's had to make.
The announcement comes after Luck missed at least three practices and General Manager Chris Ballard said Luck had an ankle injury.
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As Luck talked about in the press conference, injuries played a role in his decision to retire — and they’ve been a major issue throughout his career.
"This is not an easy decision. It's the hardest decision of my life," Luck said during a post-game press conference.
This training camp and preseason Luck has been dealing with lower leg injuries involving his calf and ankle.
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You may recall, Luck sat out the 2017 season due to a shoulder injury.
2015 was also a tough year. Luck suffered a lacerated kidney and a sprained shoulder. He missed a portion of this season as well.
Andrew Luck tried to make his teammates better on the field, but he also made it a mission to help kids throughout Indiana.
Luck teamed up with Riley Children’s Health for the Change the Play Challenge.
He went around Indiana to teach children the importance of eating healthy and moving around and getting exercise.
Luck would work out with and throw the football with many of those kids.
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The Colts drafted Luck with the first overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft — as the team decided to move on from Peyton Manning due to questions concerning his health.
In a surprise to all, the Colts made the playoffs in Luck’s rookie season — eventually losing to the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs.
The next season in 2013 — Luck led one of the biggest comebacks in NFL playoff history. The Colts turned a 28 point deficit to the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the playoffs — into a triumphant win to advance in the playoffs. The Colts won 45 to 44.
Luck led Indianapolis to the AFC championship game in 2014. However, the Patriots defeated the Colts.
And after missing the 2017 season, Luck helped the Colts return to the playoffs in 2018. The team beat Houston in the first round, before falling to Kansas City.
On Sunday evening, Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano released the following statement on Twitter:
Pagano: “I will forever be a huge Andrew Luck fan.” pic.twitter.com/Acvd9WbH9m
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 25, 2019
