Andrew Luck is back in Indianapolis. Less than five years after one of the most shocking retirements in NFL history, Luck returned to the city where he played quarterback from 2012-2018.
Luck returned to Indianapolis to attend former Colts coach Chuck Pagano’s annual gala, which helps donate money for cancer research. During the gala, Luck wore a big smile as he recalled his years with the Colts. Luck, who was just 29 when he retired from the NFL, was asked if he ever wanted to return to the NFL.
“When I retired, that part was put aside in my mind,” Luck said via The Athletic. “I definitely realize that I still love this game and I want to incorporate it into my life.”
Luck said Indianapolis left a lasting impact on his life. He said he still has family in the Indianapolis area and even spent last Christmas in the area.
“Certainly, I feel the love from the city, and I hope people know it’s mutual,” Love said via CBS4 Sports. “I love this place.”
At the time of his retirement, Luck attributed his decision to physical and mental assessment injuries he suffered during his career. Among the injuries Luck suffered was a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the entire 2017 season.
Luck returned in 2018 and was named Comeback Player of the Year after winning his fourth Pro Bowl title and leading the Colts to the AFC Divisional Round. But a calf injury was revealed via an MRI in March 2019, leading to a lack of training time, which contributed to his decision to retire during the pre-season.
“It’s not an easy decision. Honestly, it’s the hardest decision of my life,” Luck said at the time of its announcement. “But it’s the right decision for me. I was stuck in this process. I wasn’t able to live the life I wanted to live. It took away the joy of this game…the only way next step for me is to retire from football.”
Luck quickly moved on with his life after football. He and his wife had their first child in November 2019. In 2022, he returned to his alma mater, Stanford, to pursue a master’s degree in education. Last year, Luck began working as a part-time volunteer football coach at Palo Alto High School. Luck was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
“This game gives you, as cheesy as it is, it gives you a purpose,” Luck said. “But (my) second act, third act, fourth act – I certainly know that I hope to continue to evolve and find ways to get more out of life and give back.”
Although his NFL career was relatively short, Luck accomplished a lot during his six active seasons. He went 55-33 as the Colts’ starting quarterback, which included four trips to the playoffs. Luck led the Colts to four playoff victories, including a surprising AFC title game in 2014. That playoff run included a surprise win over Payton Manning’s Broncos.
Speaking of Manning, Luck said he considered himself fortunate to play for a team that had become accustomed to playing at a championship level.
“I was able to come to a place where football had been very good for a long time,” Luck said. “What Peyton and the team, the bar they set, was incredible. I definitely wanted to continue. … I walked into a locker room with Adam Vinatieri, Reggie Wayne, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis as the four leaders. is a dream. I loved football growing up. I watched those guys.”
Unlike many other athletes, Luck never considered a comeback. And even though Luck left Indianapolis prematurely, Indianapolis didn’t leave him.
“I definitely feel like Indianapolis is a huge part of who I am,” he said.
