Detroit Lions: Luck’s early exit bears resemblance to other retirements

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 24: An Indianapolis Colts fan holds up a sign after Adam Schefter tweeted that Andrew Luck was planning on retiring during the fourth quarter of the game between the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 24: An Indianapolis Colts fan holds up a sign after Adam Schefter tweeted that Andrew Luck was planning on retiring during the fourth quarter of the game between the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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In one of the most stunning stories in sports this year, Andrew Luck suddenly retired last week, just days away from the start of the 2019 season. It is only natural to spot similarities between Luck’s situation and two sudden retirements of the Detroit Lions.

In 1999, Barry Sanders retired from the NFL at just 30 years of age. Without a doubt, he was the best running back in Detroit Lions history and, arguably, the best in the history of the league. At the time, he was second in all-time career rushing yards and likely would have overtaken Walter Payton with one more season.

Two decades later, in 2016, Calvin Johnson–also 30–did something similar. Still, seemingly at the peak of his game, just three seasons removed from setting an NFL record in receiving yards for a season, Johnson stepped away from football. He was one of the best to play his position.

Now this month, Andrew Luck, 29, has retired from the Indianapolis Colts. A first pick overall, Luck reached the Pro Bowl in four of his six seasons despite dealing with a frequent injury. For a brief period, he was the highest-paid player in the NFL. Notice the similarities? All players were 30 or younger. All were unexpected. All players were at or near the top of their position in the league.

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The reasons for retirement vary, but there are some shared commonalities as well. We will never know exactly what goes on in the mind of a superstar, but the personal reasons are evident and understandable. While Sanders had a healthy career, injuries played a definite role in the early retirement of Johnson and Luck. At some point, the consistent wear-and-tear became too much. Simply a desire to do something else–go back to school, spend time with family, travel–was more important.

As always, financial issues are a sticky situation in all three cases. For Sanders, who retired two seasons into a six-year extension, the organization requested a forfeit of part of his signing bonus. The Lions took legal action when Sanders declined. The same events transpired with Johnson when the Lions asked for some of his signing bonus (midway through an eight-year extension). Both illustrious careers ended somewhat acrimoniously, leaving on a sour note.

For Andrew Luck, the financial issues are still ongoing. The Colts still have some decisions to make regarding his salary and bonus. They can either attempt to recoup some of the signing bonus or be forced to pay him a remaining bit of salary. Ideally, Luck and the Colts can part amicably, unlike Sanders, Johnson, and the Lions. As of now, Colts owner Jim Irsay said the organization would not try to recoup any of Andrew’s bonus money.  Part of that could be the owner hoping Luck returns to the Colts in a year or two once his injuries have fully healed.

Besides just the teams, there is also the question of parting amicably with the fans. Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson–two of the greatest Detroit Lions in history–were called “quitters” and turned on by fans. A few YEARS after Barry retired he was shown on the jumbotron at a Detroit Pistons game and was welcomed with vigorous booing. In Indianapolis, Colts fans raucously booed a tearful Luck for announcing his departure. Frankly, this behavior is inexcusable.

It is a divisive issue, to be sure, but it is one that should be handled with tact. On one hand, we want success for our favorite teams. Sports are supposed to be fun, and winning makes them more enjoyable. But on the other hand, a person was able to recognize a damaging situation and step aside. Any fan should be able to wish the best for their team’s players. Ultimately, this is the best outcome.

There is a bit of a personal aspect in this story for me as well: I happen to live 30 minutes from the gates of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. While I was not among throngs of Colts fans when Luck announced his retirement, I can hardly have a conversation with anyone without the subject coming up. I can be sympathetic because I remember what it is like to lose a star player.

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Regardless, it is impossible not to consider what could have been after unexpectedly losing a great player. For the Detroit Lions, it was losing the best running back of all time in 1998, and then the best wide receiver of his era in 2016. If a few other things had gone right, what could have happened? Now the Indianapolis Colts find themselves in the same situation.