he life of Andrew Luck is pretty exciting these days. He comes into the NFL as one of the most highly anticipated quarterback prospects since… the man he is replacing. After three years as a starting quarterback at Stanford, two straight years where he was a Heisman Trophy runner-up, with numerous other accolades for his quarterbacking achievements, he is now asked to replace Peyton Manning as quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts. However, despite having some huge shoes to fill, Luck seems to have it all figured out, at least as well as any 22-year-old could.
Luck still seems unfazed by all of his success, and appears ready to deal with the pressures not only from opposing defenses, but the media and fans as well. He is excited for the season to start and ready for the many challenges that await him.
Speaking on the Colts prospects this season Luck said, “We’ll lay it all out on the field and hope to win some games.”
Luck is coming to a team without many of its key contributors from years past. Besides Manning, talented players like wide receiver Pierre Garcon, center Jeff Saturday, tight end Dallas Clark, and running back Joseph Addai all left this off-season. The Colts are clearly a team in transition, and Luck is expected to lead the way through this rebuilding period.
Whatever happens with his football career, Luck has intelligently prepared himself for life after the game, as the troubles that many former players are having dealing with life after football has taken center stage in recent years. Luck likely would have been the number one overall pick in 2011, but stayed in school another year to earn his degree.
“I hope we can play football forever, but I realize some day that’s going to stop and I’m going to have to find something else to do with life,” Luck said.
Earning his degree in Architectural Design ensured Luck that whenever his football career does end that he has options beyond the gridiron. That decision was just one of many calculated moves Luck has made with his budding professional career, as he has been sure to plan out the way he hopes his life after college goes.
“When I started school a goal of mine was to finish, so it is important for me to finish,” Luck said.
All of that being said, Luck is primarily focused on playing another season of the game he loves, but finally on Sundays this fall. This may be one of the toughest seasons of his football career, taking the reins of a team that finished with a 2-14 record and replacing the legend of Peyton Manning, while trying to win games without many of the stars of the Colts glory years.
“It’s fun to experience this with your peers and your friends, so it’s a good deal,” Luck said, commenting on his time at the Rookie Premier.
One thing is for sure, Andrew Luck will be a player under a spotlight for the rest of his career. That comes with being a number one overall pick, but Luck appears as ready as any to face these challenges head on, running through his playbook for life.
Written by Eric Gustafsson
