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on August 25, 2019 in Sports Leadership

The entire sporting community is stilled stunned the sudden retirement of Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl quarterback Andrew Luck.  Before getting to my thoughts on his decision, let’s take a look at his announcement below:

https://youtu.be/l0yrCcqhvTs

The following are 10 Thoughts On The Stunning Retirement Of Andrew Luck:

  1. Elite Performers Can Only Take So Much Pain – Pain is a constant unwelcome companion as I wrote recently in Leaders Are Bleeders.  However, everyone has a breaking point.  Andrew Luck took a beating.  But you can only take so much.  Unfortunately, at least for now, Andrew Luck has reached his.  Organizations should carefully monitor the emotional and physical health of their elite performers.
  2. Your Job Is What You Do, Not Who You Are. – Andrew Luck is a gifted football player.  But that is not all he is.  First and foremost, he is a husband, a father, a son, and a friend.  The Stanford graduate has incredible intelligence.  His skill as an architect was legendary leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft.  He correctly made a brave decision about his overall and long-term quality of life.
  3. Always Put Family First – I was moved by how Luck told his wife, parents and extended family how much he loved them.  When the crowd stops cheering (more on that later) and the autograph seekers are no more, it will be his immediate family who remains.
  4. Seek Financial Freedom And The Options It Brings – Luck made $97.1 million during his brief career in NFL salary alone.  While it appears he may not have any options physically, he certainly appears to have unlimited options with the rest of his life.
  5. Organizations Should Recognize The Gift They Have In Elite Producers And Should Give Them ALL The Tools And Resources Needed To Be Successful – Just read the following tweet from the brilliant Warren Sharp:


    First, let me say I would called the three players listed “unproductive” rather than “trash”.  That was below the belt.  However, the bigger issue is former general manager Ryan Grigson committed organizational malpractice by not supporting the often-injured quarterback.  Even worse, the reason he was often-injured was Grigson’s inability, or lack of desire, to protect the incredible investment and asset of Andrew Luck.  Every organization should be asking if they are surrounding elite talent with all the tools and resources necessary for long-term success.

  6. Organizations Who Do Not Value Elite Performers Run The Risk Of Losing Elite Performers – Too many businesses, churches, non-profits, and in this case athletic organizations, take elite performers for granted or worse, mistreat them.  The team gave him a generous financial package but Grigson never surrounded him with talented lineman or skill position players.  As a result, he took an emotional and physical beating.  Now the Colts, and the entire sport, have lost their most valuable asset and the face of their franchise.
  7. Elite Performers Carry A Disproportional Amount Of Responsibility – For years, the classy Luck stood in front of the media and took bullets for the poor offensive line.  He even had his leadership skills called into question for not being tough enough on his teammates.  Regardless, Luck always carried himself with dignity and class.  He never complained.  Now, he walks away with absolutely no regrets in this area.
  8. Elite Performers Leave It All On The Field – Obviously, Luck is physically and emotionally spent.  He had nothing left.  Andrew Luck is a warrior.
  9. Elite Performers Are Often Not Appreciated And Taken For Granted – After four Pro Bowls, multiple play-off appearances, impeccable representation of the city and brand, and saving the organization for years of decline after Peyton Manning’s departure, how did the Colts’ fans show their appreciation?  Take a look at the video below.  It is regrettable.  It is short-sighted.  It is selfish.  It is embarrassing.  What’s worse, it is not unusual.  Many elite performers are often not appreciated and taken for granted.  If you have an elite player(s), stop right now, take moment, and tell them, “Thank you”.

https://youtu.be/d3rEy5sbb_w

10. Elite Performers Are In High Demand And Can Always Come Back – I often counsel people they may not need to quit their jobs or retire.  They may simply need a sabbatical.  I hope this is the case with luck.  He is only 29 years old.  I hope after a year or two of mentally and physically healing, he comes back to the game.  The NFL is a better place with Andrew Luck in it.

Andrew, thank you for all the joy you gave us as fans and for giving us everything you had?  You did so with class and dignity.  You will be missed.  Once again, thank you.

What are your thoughts on Luck’s retirement?

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