Illinois Football: Former Illini weigh in on Andrew Luck’s retirement

Andrew Luck and the Illinois football team never had a chance to meet during his three years of college playing experience.

Luck was a sensational high school player – rated the No. 42 player in the class of 2008 and wanted by every team in the country. The eventual landing spot would be the Stanford Cardinal, a program that had smatterings of success throughout time but is by no means a football powerhouse.

The success Luck produced with the Cardinal was nearly unmatchable in the history of the program. He was 8-5 in year one, 12-1 in year two and 11-2 during his final season with Stanford. The team went to two BCS games – won the Orange Bowl in year two. He then declared for the NFL Draft where he was instantly touted as the best prospect since John Elway.

Luck was an instant success in the NFL. The Indianapolis Colts picked him No. 1 overall after a 2-14 train wreck of a season that saw Curtis Painter lead the way through the air. It was all worth it, though. Colts fans had to deal with one season of horrific football to get another potential future Hall of Fame quarterback.

Three-straight 11-win campaigns started Luck’s career off with the Colts. He managed to get this team to the AFC Championship game with Trent Richardson as his leading rusher. The Colts never replenished the talented they had around him. They took him for granted and the result was back-to-back 8-8 campaigns and missed playoff seasons.

Injury soon struck Luck sidelining him for the 2017 campaign. The Colts, once again without a Hall of Fame-caliber quarterback, saw what type of team they really had when they finished 4-12 with Jacoby Brissett as their quarterback. The return of Luck last season was glorious for the Colts fanbase, though. The team returned to playoff form with a 10-6 record.

Just a few days ago, out of nowhere for many fans and media, Luck decided to hang up his cleats and move onto a different chapter of his life. Overall, through the years of taking a beating and abusing his body and mind, Luck’s love of the game dwindled. He gave seven good years to that organization that saw four playoff appearances and a myriad of injuries that would have me waving the white flag in life.

Despite the talent and clear dedication Luck had to the game while playing, some Colts fans had the gall to boo Luck as he walked heavily off the field for the last time during the preseason game against the Chicago Bears. A player who gave everything to a franchise for seven years, someone who enabled you to have joy as a sports fan, and you booed him because you didn’t get your way. That is a shameful display of fandom.

But, sadly, I expect that from some fans because, well, some fans are just horrible. I don’t expect it from the media, though. I expect debates about what is going on with Luck and what is next for him, but I don’t expect some of the talking heads to go out and bash Luck for calling it quits on his career, hanging up his cleats and living his life.

Former Illinois football players had a few words to say to the media members who were bashing Luck on his decision about his life.

At the end of the day, no one but Luck’s opinion really matters in this situation. He and his wife will go on to travel the world and enjoy their health, wealth and happiness – as well they should. But he is also a human. He heard those boos and, if I felt bad for him, I can’t even imagine the feelings that were coursing through his body.