Colts general manager Chris Ballard name-dropped Andrew Luck during this Wednesday’s press conference.
When asked if Jonathan Taylor’s absence could hinder Anthony Richardson’s growth, Ballard mentioned how Luck shined without having an elite running back.
“Look, when you don’t have a great player… but, I don’t think it stunts his growth. No, not at all,” Ballard said. “I don’t know, did it stunt Andrew [Luck’s] growth without a special back?”
NFL fans immediately dunked on Ballard for bringing up Luck. While there’s no question he overcame adversity, the main reason he retired is because he took a legitimate beating behind a subpar supporting cast.
Andrew Luck retired at 29……… https://t.co/3Uc2iQJMew
— Micah Grove (@micah10193) August 30, 2023
“Naw he can’t be serious… Andrew Luck retired in the middle of his prime because of poor leadership from the Colts,” one fan wrote on X.
Naw he can’t be serious… Andrew Luck retired in the middle of his prime because of poor leadership from the Colts https://t.co/WnaB5Fi51x
— CIMBO aka Clown Vanilla 🥃 (@ayo_cimbo) August 30, 2023
Another fan replied, “The same Andrew Luck that retired at 29? That guy?”
The same Andrew Luck that retired at 29? That guy? https://t.co/lhC6MU9ITJ
— Good Grief. (@NotoriousBIGTIM) August 30, 2023
“Imagine using Andrew Luck story in comparison considering he retired early because you couldn’t build a roster to protect him,” another fan said in response to Ballard’s comments.
Imagine using Andrew Luck story in comparison considering he retired early because you couldnt build a roster to protect him. https://t.co/6zM9s0CfMg
— Kieran L (@kieran_shaker) August 30, 2023
Luck was outstanding for the Colts from 2012-2018 before retiring in August of 2019.
If the Colts fielded a better team around Luck, it’s possible he would still be their quarterback.