Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck’s advice to NRL stars

INDIANAPOLIS quarterback Andrew Luck, the highest paid footballer in NFL history, has a simple warning for the new wave of young NRL millionaires.

IDIANAPOLIS quarterback Andrew Luck, the highest paid footballer in NFL history, has a simple warning for the new wave of young, NRL millionaires: “Money isn’t the barometer for success in football ... Super Bowls are”.

Recently re-signed to the Colts on $186 million over six years, Luck has told The Daily Telegraph no athlete will every be revered for the contract they sign — but rather, the titles they bring their franchise.

It comes as the NRL recently, and controversially, made millionaires of young Cronulla premiership star Jack Bird, St George Illawarra signing Ben Hunt and North Queensland powerhouse Jason Taumololo.

Elsewhere, Wests Tigers fullback James Tedesco is another on the cusp of seven figures, set join the likes of NRL megastars Johnathan Thurston, Jarryd Hayne, Cameron Smith and Daly Cherry-Evans.

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Given the unprecedented nature of the situation, it now has all of League Land — from CEOs and Fox Sports commentators right through to punters in front bars — asking the same question: What does it mean to be a $1 million man?

So for an answer, we asked the Colts quarterback set to make $30 million annually, or roughly four NRL salary caps.

“Money has never been the barometer by which I’ve measured success,’’ says Luck, whose five NFL seasons have already earned him three playoff series, but no Super Bowl.

“Yes, it’s awesome getting paid a bunch of it to play a kid’s game. I’m not complaining. But it’s not my motivation.

LISTEN: Andrew Luck on footballing millionaires.

“In my mind, personal success is completely married to the team’s success.

“In fact, I’d argue American football is the greatest team sport in the world. And I know you’ll say it’s AFL, rugby union or league.

“We could have a good argument one day over a beer.

“But personal success and team success, it’s clearly married. So for me, winning a Super Bowl is proof of your success ... that’s what you shoot for.”

Andrew Luck says footballers can’t be judged by the size of their contracts. Photo: Getty Images

Apart from having a good knowledge of Australian sport — he watched a World Series cricket game at the MCG in 2015 — Luck will also be an interested spectator when his former college team, Stanford, opens its season in Sydney on August 27.

The Colts QB heads a stellar list of Cardinal alumni, with fellow graduates including Denver Broncos great John Elway, Seattle Super Bowl champion Richard Sherman and 2017 draft picks Christian McCaffrey, a running back, and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas.

LISTEN: Luck on Jarryd Hayne’s time with the 49ers.

Indeed, while he is yet to win an NFL title like either Sherman or Elway, Luck’s contract reflects the promise of a player who, not only the No. 1 draft pick in 2012, has also previously been hailed the most gifted QB in America.

Currently recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, Luck said he had felt no additional pressure since signing his lucrative deal last June.

But as for players like Tedesco, Taumololo and co.?

Already Penrith supremo Phil Gould has said no player in the NRL is worth $1 million a year. Elsewhere, there is also concern that inflated contracts, particularly those handed to Bird, who boasts only one NSW Origin appearance, and Hunt, have put the NRL player market in danger of overheating.