Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck announces shock retirement

Social media was sent into meltdown after a 29-year-old star quarterback in the NFL announced his retirement from the game.

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 16: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts watches from the bench during the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 16, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Andy Lyons/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has sent social media into meltdown after news broke the 29-year-old is retiring from the NFL.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news of Luck’s decision to step away from the game stating the superstar play caller is “mentally worn down”.

Schefter announced Luck had already met with Colts owner Jim Irsay to advise him of his decision.

Filed to ESPN: Andrew Luck has informed the Colts he is retiring from the NFL, per source. There will be a press conference Sunday to make it official, but Luck is mentally worn down, and now checking out.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 25, 2019

Luck has dealt with a host of injuries throughout his NFL career and it appears the toll of overcoming them have caught up to the Colts star and he confirmed the news following the Colts game on Sunday.

“This is not an easy decision. Honestly it’s the hardest decision of my life. But it is the right decision for me,” he said.

“The last 4 years I’ve been in this cycle of injury-pain-rehab, injury-pain-rehab, injury-pain-rehab... it has taken my joy away from this game.

“It’s very difficult. I love this team. I love my team mates. The folks in this building. The game, the game of football.

“I am so grateful to have been drafted here.”

The call to retire means Luck will be walking away from $A86 million according to Action Network’s Darren Rovell.

Andrew Luck announces he will retire. The constant cycle of injury, pain and rehab has taken the joy out of the game. #Colts pic.twitter.com/ebqcRpSJVE

— Taylor Tannebaum (@TaylorTannebaum) August 25, 2019

Luck was initially diagnosed with a strained calf in March and did not participate in any of the team’s offseason workouts.

When training camp opened, he was limited to individual drills and seven-on-seven but no full team drills.

But when the pain persisted, Luck returned to rehab and was only permitted to run the starting offense in walkthroughs.

Less than two weeks out from the start of the season, Luck has decided to step away from the game.

The news sent social media into a tailspin with many left shocked and devastated by the retirement of one of the games best quarterbacks.

WTF Andrew Luck!?!?!

— Justin Prochaska (@JustinRPro) August 25, 2019

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The football world is so much less fun and talented with Andrew Luck walking away. He was a maestro to watch in full command. pic.twitter.com/tKXicS6l0F

— Laurie Horesh (@LaurieHoresh) August 25, 2019

Holy crap andrew luck just retired

— Roy Bellamy (@roybelly) August 25, 2019

ANDREW LUCK IS RETIRING?!?! Wow

— Jordan Watkins (@Big75Fella) August 25, 2019

If this is truly it, Andrew Luck retiring at 29 is one of the biggest what if’s in NFL history. He was a flawless prospect out of Stanford.

— Patrick Schmidt (@PatrickASchmidt) August 25, 2019

Andrew Luck’s retirement news in the middle of the college football kickoff game could actually break the Internet.

— VF Castro (@TheVFCastro) August 25, 2019

Andrew Luck might be the best quarterback prospect I’ve ever seen. This is insane.

— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) August 25, 2019

Absolutely shattered.

— Josh - Guzman Wye Gomez (@jwyeNFL) August 25, 2019

The 29-year-old was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, recorded more than 23,600 yards and 171 touchdowns over six seasons with the Colts.

Luck’s retirement means Jacoby Brissett is looking at being the Colts’ starting quarterback when their season gets underway against the Los Angeles Chargers on September 9.

He helped guide the Colts to the playoffs in his first three seasons, including the 2014 AFC Championship Game.

But in 2015 his nightmare injury run began with a shoulder injury in week 3. He missed a total of 26 games in his career, including the entire 2017 season.

Without Luck the Colts went 4-12 on the season before he returned in 2019 and passed for 4,593 yards, throwing 39 touchdowns and won the NFL’s Most Improved Player award.

Luck’s career ends with 23,671 passing yards, 171 touchdowns, and 83 interceptions, as well as a 53-33 record as a starter and four Pro Bowl appearances

Andrew Luck’s career stats wind up as:
* 86 games played
* 23,671 passing yards
* 171 TD
* 4 Pro Bowls
* 4 trips to the playoffs, 4 playoff victories

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 25, 2019

Physical toll on Andrew Luck through 6 NFL seasons:
» Torn cartilage in 2 ribs
» partially torn abdomen
» 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

— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) August 25, 2019

FANS TORCHED AFTER BOOING LUCK

As Luck’s retirement news slowly took over social media, the man himself stood on the sidelines watching his teammates play in their third game of the preseason against the Chicago Bears.

Luck is on the sidelines right now. Absolutely wild. (Via @TaylorTannebaum & @BenReiff) pic.twitter.com/SmYYEscJSb

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 25, 2019

The Colts lost the game 27-17, but it was after the game where things took an ugly turn after fans found out the news their star quarterback was stepping away.

Boston Celtics reporter for The Athletic Jay King was one to condemn the actions of the fans in the stands.

“You’ve gotta be pure scum to boo a guy who retired after putting his body through as much hell as Andrew Luck did for the Colts,” King said.

Colt fans should be ashamed for booing that man. Wow.

— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) August 25, 2019

Luck was asked after the game during his press conference about the booing and simply responded: “It hurt ... it hurt”.