Peter King Reveals When Andrew Luck Told Colts He Would Retire Due to Injuries

Last Monday, quarterback Andrew Luck reportedly told Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Frank Reich of his plans to retire.

"I'm tired, and I'm in pain. I'm gonna retire," Luck told the Colts' decision-makers, according to Peter King of NBC Sports.

The meeting between Luck and Colts brass lasted more than two hours, and the team gave him several alternatives to retiring—including going on injured reserve with a designation to return so he could rehab the high-ankle issue that hampered him all offseason. Reich and Ballard then attempted to feel out Luck over the week that followed, hoping he would change his mind.

Luck met with Reich later last week and informed him that he was sure about retirement. 

"It's like we were saying goodbye," Reich said. "I knew, knew in my heart, he wasn't going to change his mind. He seemed to have great clarity and peace."

Luck announced his retirement Saturday in a hasty press conference put together after the story leaked to the media.

"I've been stuck in this process," Luck told reporters. "I haven't been able to live the life I want to live. It's taken the joy out of this game ... the only way forward for me is to remove myself from football.

"This is not an easy decision. It's the hardest decision of my life. But it is the right decision for me."

King's column notes that Luck spent "about 42 of the last 47 months" in pain due to the accumulation of injuries suffered on the field. He missed the entire 2017 season after undergoing shoulder surgery and also dealt with fractured ribs, a kidney laceration and a leg injury—the latter of which appears to have been the final straw in his NFL career.

Luck won the 2018 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award after throwing for 4,593 yards and 39 touchdowns against 15 interceptions, spearheading the Colts' charge to a wild-card berth. Indianapolis entered training camp considered a Super Bowl contender, provided Luck was healthy. The Colts have since dropped from 15-1 odds to 30-1 odds of winning the Super Bowl, per Caesars.

Jacoby Brissett, who started in place of Luck in 2017, will move forward as the team's starter.

"My heart and soul go out to Andrew," Reich told King. "I love him like crazy. He is an incredible generational player. This hurts, and it hurts deep. But at the same time, I can be equally excited about our season and for our team, and for Jacoby. Those emotions don't have to be mutually exclusive. I can make those statements without being disrespectful to Andrew. And one of the things I love about Andrew is he understands that."

Luck finished his NFL career with 23,671 yards and 171 touchdowns passing against 83 interceptions. He made four Pro Bowls, including in 2018.

While his age (29) makes it possible that he eventually has a change of heart, King noted that neither Luck nor the Colts are moving forward with the expectation he'll ever play football again.