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The world of sports was completely rocked when it was revealed that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck was going to retire at the age of 29.
Reactions to the news were, understandably, all over the board.
Fans booed Luck as he walked off the field following Saturday night’s pre-season game and are now trying to get their season ticket money back.
Fantasy football players who drafted Luck over the weekend, including none other than O.J. Simpson, were left gobsmacked.
And talking heads like Fox Sports host Doug Gottlieb weighed in with takes so bad that his own wife called him out.
Another one of those talking heads, former NFL QB and current football analyst on CBS Steve Beuerlein joined Gottlieb in blasting Andrew Luck’s decision to retire, calling it indefensible.
“I am a HUGE Andrew Luck fan. Always have been. But this I cannot defend or justify,” Beuerlein wrote. “NO scenario where retirement is defensible. To do this to his teammates, organization, fans, and the NFL 2 weeks before the season is just not right. I love the guy but this will haunt him,” Beuerlein wrote in a Twitter thread.
“Point is this is a massive decision he SAID he has pondered for 10 DAYS! Colts invested in him for 5-10 more YRS! Go on IR, get away for a few weeks and think about it. Get healthy for 2nd half of season and make a run! Colts are good! If Jacoby goes 4-4 they have a chance!
“His team needs him to make this run. I know rehab is tough. I had 19 surgeries as a player. 8 over 2 years. It sucks! But he owes it to his team. It is just a lower leg injury and it will heal! Just give it a chance. If it doesn’t walk away after this year.
“The MILLIONS he walked away from affects only HIM. The DECISION to walk away just prior to the season affects his TEAM, ORGANIZATION, FANBASE, and the ENTIRE NFL… ALL had invested in him for this year at least. Walk away AFTER the season.
“Dude… that’s all part of the deal. We all dealt w those injury issues and most of us could only dream of being in a situation as good as his w the #Colts. I am just saying to go on IR would have been the right call instead of just walking away. Not overly complicated.”
Needless to say, not everyone agreed with Beuerlein’s scorching hot Andrew Luck take, including former NFL QB Jim Everett and former DT D’Marco Farr.
Disagree Steve. Anyone other than the person named Andrew Luck is in no position to defend, justify or judge another man’s life decisions. Granted the timing was awkward for most...but Andrew’s health and wellness is his too own & in his own timing. #ToughCalls
— JimEverett.eth (@Jim_Everett) August 25, 2019
His teammates should thank Luck for being honest. Nothing is worse than going into a season with a guy who has mentally checked out before you’ve played game 1. Zero respect for guys that were stealing money and backing up to the pay window.
— Baby Whale (@DMarcoFarr1) August 25, 2019
Beuerlein did not back down.
@DMarcoFarr1 and @Jim_Everett quit being politically correct! 🤣 There is zero reason for him to walk away after 10 days of consideration. You guys KNOW how hard it is like I do! Everybody goes through Dog Days. He should have gone on IR to buy time and recharge. #YouKnowThis
— Steve Beuerlein (@stevebeuerlein) August 26, 2019
No scenario where retirement BY LUCK RIGHT NOW is defensible for all the reasons I have listed. IR now = Potential to heal, get head right and think about options, gives teammates sense that you are still w them and trying to get back, does not create a circus atmosphere, etc
— Steve Beuerlein (@stevebeuerlein) August 25, 2019
A lot of guys have gone thru multiple years of rehab after bad luck w injuries. Not unusual! This injury WILL get better and is not career threatening. Retire AFTER this season if it does not get better and if you still feel this way. #Can’tWalkOutNow
— Steve Beuerlein (@stevebeuerlein) August 26, 2019
My “opinion” is based on experience. I’ve been there… Kerry Collins quit Panthers after 4 games in ‘98. I became the starter. Led to great things for me but unfair to organization and set team back. There is a right way to handle MASSIVE decisions like this. My educated opinion
— Steve Beuerlein (@stevebeuerlein) August 25, 2019
No scenario where retirement BY LUCK RIGHT NOW is defensible for all the reasons I have listed. IR now = Potential to heal, get head right and think about options, gives teammates sense that you are still w them and trying to get back, does not create a circus atmosphere, etc
— Steve Beuerlein (@stevebeuerlein) August 25, 2019
Toughness has never been questioned… one of the many things I love about him. He has a “lower leg” injury that has frustrated him by not responding to rehab. It is not career threatening. IR would be the right decision… Rest it, get head right, and TRY to finish the season.
— Steve Beuerlein (@stevebeuerlein) August 25, 2019
Go home Steve, you’re drunk
— KING MATTIMAL #SpreadLOVE Prophecy Wizard (@MattyBigTime) August 26, 2019
I'd like to see things from your point of view, but I can't seem to get my head that far up my ass.
— Bargain Shop US (@BargainShopUS) August 26, 2019
this is a spectacularly bad take.
— ...!!!... (@PippiNatTalking) August 26, 2019
HoF QB disagrees vehemently pic.twitter.com/rkBTeCCyLY
— GLooch🇺🇸 (@Loochi79) August 26, 2019
Yes, yes he does.