Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck’s retirement is surprising in its abruptness. There is the usual exaggeration from sportswriters and TV talking heads. Being a beat writer makes for some genuine cynicism. The lies and distortions from front offices creates antagonism, fear and loathing in the reporters. The most annoying ones are the 'what-does-this-say-about-society' types that never miss a change to remind fans how immoral we all are. Some are already signaling the death of football and blaming the fans in the process. Jamele Hill at the Atlantic thinks Luck is Exhibit A in “evolving” players retiring before injuries completely ruin any chance at a normal life.

Not all fans are actually capable of seeing the humanity of the players they follow so closely. When the allure of the game is rooted in violence, and in conformity to whatever the team demands, players are treated as physical objects and nothing more.

The tone is one of finger waging. “How can you watch this sport that glorifies pain?” First of all the “allure of the game” is that most of couldn’t make a college roster at any spot, let alone an NFL team. There is an excellence most people will never know, it’s a mystique. We love football because only the toughest, most athletic and physically gifted among us can do it. Yes it is violent but the violence isn’t arbitrary or excessive, it’s a game of rules. Players aren’t treated as “physical objects and nothing more”. They couldn’t sell us life insurance or deodorant, loafers or pizza if we regarded them as mere pawns. Their value doesn’t extend beyond the team in though; we rely on their greatness as long as the team wins. That isn’t very different from the corporate world is it?

If we are seeing a move away from long careers then so be it. The salaries are extremely high because of the risky nature. Commercial fisherman, coal miners and soldiers would be fortunate to earn such a massive take. It pays well because so few can do it, also because we pay to watch. Andrew Luck made a very reasonable calculation; he’d made enough money to live comfortably. Better to get out while still relatively healthy. I think the timing was terrible and he should have done this last season, or waited until this one was over.

Some fans booed him as he headed for the tunnel. The story is that Luck retired after a short career, at least for someone with such a bright future. But a lot of sports writers and opinion talkers are making it about the booing. This from Deadspin:

“It never ceases to amaze me how some idiots can get so caught up in a fandom that they forget the players on the field are human beings.”

I think the fans can be given a break here. Booing is always ugly but their superstar quarterback quits right before the season and their supposed to sing ‘thanks for the memories’ and he strolls out of stadium in a T-shirt? They’re a little pissed off and they should be. If you hired a manager to run your business and he quit right at the beginning of the project, you’d be upset too.

 The criticism of Luck by the fans reflects the short notice of the news. It’s like “Oh by the way, your potential hall of fame quarterback is retiring today, have a great season.” If doesn’t matter what the reason, he left you dry. The anger will wane though. Give it a season and they’ll appreciate his years and effort. I don’t think anyone believes Andrew Luck wouldn’t play if he could perform reasonable well.  He won’t get a Peyton Manning type reception in Indy, but he won’t get the villain treatment forever. Colts fans will come around eventually and look to the future. 

Enough please about us fans not treating players like human beings. You can find ugliness in fans all over the league. But I won’t feel guilty about watching a game with a high probability of injuries for the athletes. It’s made a lot of people very wealthy and provided comfortable living standards for those with few other options.

There is a hard truth that comes with playing professional team sports. The team is bigger than any one player. That’s especially true in football where a bad turn or awkward hit can end a career overnight. It’s sad when injuries keep guys out, but the games go on and the only thing retiring players should feel is gratitude. Gratitude for the ability and the chance to play the toughest game around and rake in some serious money for their efforts. 

Gratitude that people thought so much of you, that they booed your decision to step away.