Andrew Luck retiring from NFL

[pbmax]

Guy is taking a lot of shit for quitting his job. Like he owes something to someone? It’s a job that just happens to pay a shit ton more than most.

If you were at a job that you used to love, but for some reason you lost that love, would you just keep going because you don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings? Now imagine you could end up like so many other former players and have dementia at 45.

Sports have become too important to some. They remove the human aspect. It’s supposed to be entertaining.

Brady Poppinga had the same take as teamcheeze about the timing. I asked him what the Colts owed Luck for screwing up the shoulder diagnosis and recovery that cost him two years.

Haven't heard back. People are strange sometimes.

[pbmax]

In Gottlieb's defense, I don't think he was allowed to work a job for pay while on scholarship. So really, its the NCAA's fault, not his.

[Zool]

How many former NFL players have dementia at 45?

Is more than one too many? Mike Webster, Junior Seau, Dave Duerson. Maybe dementia was a reach, but all of them talked about having trouble remembering things day to day, bouts of anger, depression, anxiety. All 3 killed themselves at a young age. 2 shot themselves in the chest so their brains could be studied.

Players now have a greater knowledge of the risk they are taking, and more will be retiring early.


Early symptoms of dementia

Although the early signs vary, common early symptoms of dementia include:
memory problems, particularly remembering recent events
increasing confusion
reduced concentration
personality or behavior changes
apathy and withdrawal or depression
loss of ability to do everyday tasks

[gbgary]

some think it's a red flag to the league. i disagree. this wasn't a fear for his life/health thing. it's just a guy tired of rehabbing who's lost his desire. berry sanders wasn't a red flag. jim brown wasn't...nor dwane thomas. they lost their desire. guys get tired and retire. happens several times a year.

[mraynrand]

Is more than one too many? Mike Webster, Junior Seau, Dave Duerson. Maybe dementia was a reach, but all of them talked about having trouble remembering things day to day, bouts of anger, depression, anxiety. All 3 killed themselves at a young age. 2 shot themselves in the chest so their brains could be studied.

Players now have a greater knowledge of the risk they are taking, and more will be retiring early.


Early symptoms of dementia

Although the early signs vary, common early symptoms of dementia include:
memory problems, particularly remembering recent events
increasing confusion
reduced concentration
personality or behavior changes
apathy and withdrawal or depression
loss of ability to do everyday tasks

If it's 5% of 45 year old former members, regardless of number of years playing football, that would be a crisis. If it's a handful of guys who mostly played hard their entire lives and aren't significantly above a well-controlled sample from similar professions, then it's tragic for those particular guys to be sure, but not a crisis for the game. Perhaps there are confounding factors, such as PEDs or other substances. I want to protect these guys, but I tire of hysteria from incomplete and/or agenda-driven research. Now, if any of these guys had silicone breast implants, I'm sure we could sue Dow Corning for every penny they're (still) worth...

[Zool]

If I were a player, Borland?, and I was worried about my long term health I would definitely consider retirement. No matter the sport, no matter the age.

Luck is getting lambasted in some places for being smart. Remember when smart people were revered?

[falco]

If it's 5% of 45 year old former members, regardless of number of years playing football, that would be a crisis. If it's a handful of guys who mostly played hard their entire lives and aren't significantly above a well-controlled sample from similar professions, then it's tragic for those particular guys to be sure, but not a crisis for the game. Perhaps there are confounding factors, such as PEDs or other substances. I want to protect these guys, but I tire of hysteria from incomplete and/or agenda-driven research. Now, if any of these guys had silicone breast implants, I'm sure we could sue Dow Corning for every penny they're (still) worth...

[run pMc]

Physical toll on Andrew Luck through 6 NFL seasons:
» Torn cartilage in 2 ribs
» partially torn abdomen
» a lacerated kidney that left him peeing blood
» at least 1 concussion
» a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder
» and this mysterious calf/ankle

If you're constantly hurt and rehabbing -- and let's face it, rehabbing from injuries suck -- and you have enough to setup your grandkids, why take the beating? He's 29, he's put in the work, if he wants to retire, that's his decision.
Agree the timing isn't great, but IIRC the calf was something that happened in OTAs and wasn't improving. This wasn't a snap decision...the Colts knew something was going on with him for a weeks now. Luck is/was a good QB and this will hurt the Colts, but for as much time as he's been out you'd hope the Colts would have a decent backup plan at QB. (Compare to what GB has)

[George Cumby]

Let's see: I'm in a job that pays really well, so well, in fact that I'm set for life before I'm 30.

However, that job means being physically battered by a bunch of really athletic, huge dudes with mayhem on their minds.

During the course of my short career, I have suffered a shit ton of injuries and am constantly rehabbing.

Some of those injuries may indeed result in chronic problems until I die.

If I continue to work this job, the injuries will only get worse and it will only get harder to recover from them as I leave my 20's behind me.

The potential for serious brain injury is a real concern.

Fuck the Haters, I'd be the fuck out.

[Joemailman]

Let's see: I'm in a job that pays really well, so well, in fact that I'm set for life before I'm 30.

However, that job means being physically battered by a bunch of really athletic, huge dudes with mayhem on their minds.

During the course of my short career, I have suffered a shit ton of injuries and am constantly rehabbing.

Some of those injuries may indeed result in chronic problems until I die.

If I continue to work this job, the injuries will only get worse and it will only get harder to recover from them as I leave my 20's behind me.

The potential for serious brain injury is a real concern.

Fuck the Haters, I'd be the fuck out.

That's because you lack mental toughness.

[George Cumby]

That's because you lack mental toughness.

I'm weak. Pathetic really.

[mraynrand]

Good one

[Patler]

I think it's pretty crappy to retire two weeks prior to the season starting. You leave your teammates, coaches, and fans hanging due to your noble retirement cause.

It's not as crappy as getting "fired" 5 days before the start of the season. That is about to happen to 1200 or so players. Besides, its really no different than if he tore an ACL on Saturday. I don't feel too sorry for anyone. It's just the way it is. We don't have forced labor. We can all walk away whenever it suits us.

I think Luck was just injured again, wasn't he?

[mraynrand]

Uh oh

https://mobile.twitter.com/TheRealOJ32/status/1165441329226276866

[Joemailman]

Uh oh

https://mobile.twitter.com/TheRealOJ...41329226276866

Maybe Luck will now have the time to help him find Nicole's killer.