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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 ==
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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/american-sports/nfl/indianapolis-colts-quarterback-andrew-luck-announces-shock-retirement/news-story/e1fa19fe53b735be002d6472cabc6c22