What quarterback Andrew Luck's surprise retirement should remind us about mental health

[True Dough]

[The_jackalope]

1. Many of us face traumas that force us to re-evaluate our lives.

Two weeks ago I wrote my suicide note. I decided against doing it, but saved the note. The next day I left Facebook where I had 2000 friends and a persona to maintain. I retired from public life 6 years ago, and from my job about a year ago - all with the aim of salvaging my mental health.

Good luck to Mr. Luck.

[snowybirdie]

3. Good for you

Be well and keep on trying. You have many who care about you. You CAN be better!

[Duppers]

15. THIS ⬆⬆

[True Dough]

6. Many of us reach that point of desperation

The fortunate among us don't act on it. Glad you took a step back from the edge and made the necessary adjustments to enhance your mental well-being.

I wish you all the best.

[dawg day]

7. I hope you find the future easier--

Please know that you are important and are needed here on earth (Esp. in our poor country).


Post here on DU when you need some friendly reinforcement.

[marlakay]

8. Facebook is mostly fake very few are real on it

And I admit fully I do the same, I went on a long trip this summer alone to Ireland. I couldn’t get anyone to go so I went anyway. I would say half was fun and honestly I struggled for half with loneliness, frustration, etc.

But my posts were only the fun things so everyone thinks I had the time of my life. I did have many fun times but I can’t wait to get back, I leave Tuesday.

My only advice which I gave my husband who has dealt with depression since his retirement is find something to do, doesn’t matter what but something you like.

I got him a golden retriever and it literally saved his life as he was talking suicidally also. Robbie gives us so much love and joy. And hubby walks him and takes him to dog park where he mets people.

[Wellstone ruled]

9. Congrats my friend.

My Brother did the same. Still kick myself for not getting him to the VA Two weeks before . Just got lucky,if it was not for a Hy-way Trooper catching him for speeding,and a DUI,and a overnight in Jail,most likely the worst would have happened.

[volstork]

14. Sending you good wishes

for strength and balance.

[Duppers]

16. Don't leave.

That'd make me very sad.

[The_jackalope]

18. I don't want to leave till after The Collapse...

I want a chance to say those four sweetest words in the English Language:
I told you so!

[Duppers]

21. 😉 Same here.

The few I've told of my plans to take my exit are stunned. We'll know when it's the best choice, as your late dear friend did.
The time is not quite near yet. In the meantime, I beg ya to stick around these parts.

[The_jackalope]

22. I will if you will.

[Duppers]

23. Deal.

[Brainfodder]

25. Fist bump for you.

You are not alone!

[Phoenix61]

2. No words. WTF is wrong with people? nt

[pecosbob]

4. Entitlement

A different aspect of the behavior exhibited by countless BarBQ Becky's and fast-food screamers across America in recent times.

[Hekate]

11. Denial

[dawg day]

5. Well, as a Colts fan....

best wishes to Andrew, but we kinda wish he'd retired a few months earlier so they could get another QB.

Of course, all this QB absence could be rectified if they'd HIRE KAP!

But apparently our former drug-addict "big rebel" team owner is too scared to even try out Kaepernick, and instead is considering some also-rans who have never been very good for more than one game in a row.

Why? Because Irsay is scared that fans will boo? (Many will cheer.) And winning is the best defense, seriously.... Kaepernick is a proven winner.

[Falcata]

17. Kaepernick's

record is 28-30.. hardly a proven winner. He's been out of the league a couple of years as well. Folks here talk like he's a combo of Brady and Montana. Seriously, you're better off with Brissette taking over.

[Iggo]

26. You forgot to say "skillset."

[TNNurse]

10. It would be good for other professional athletes who endanger their health

to realize that some fans only care about themselves and care nothing about the players. Anyone who counts on athletes to give them self esteem is pretty pathetic.

[FakeNoose]

12. Professional athletes need to tune out the fans

Cheering, booing, what's the point of it? The guy knew what he had to do, and he did it to save himself.
More power to him, I hope he's not letting it get to him.

[RVN VET71]

13. It takes a sad asshat

to boo a man who left a game he loved to save his mind and his body. Apparently, there are a lot of sad asshats among the Indianapolis fans -- and among all football fans in general.

Those sports "news" casters who attacked Luck's decision need time to re-evaluate their voiced and derisive comments. No, actually they've had enough time already, and if they ain't apologizing and admitting their negative comments were the product of a regrettable recurrence of pre-adolescent ignorance, then screw them for the dumb shits they obviously are.

[Iggo]

27. ...among football fans in general. (n/t)

[Hangdog Slim]

19. I no longer follow football

I was a Baltimore Colts fan in my youth. I was 21 when the current owners father, Robert Irsay, packed up and split for Indy in the middle of one cold, snowy night in March. At least that's how I remember it. But that is not why I no longer watch or follow the game. I read A League of Denial a few years ago when it came out and I can no longer be entertained by any sport (here I include boxing and MMA) that will almost certainly leave at least a third of it's participants with some degree of brain damage due to repeated blows to the head. I wish Andrew Luck, er, luck and good health for the rest of his life.

[Duppers]

20. Imho football needs to be overhauled

Last edited Sat Aug 31, 2019, 03:25 PM - Edit history (1)

In order to save a lot of brain damage.

I greatly admire Andrew Luck's courage! Fvck these insane knuckle-dragging fans.

(Btw, hubs & i used to watch some football but cringed at some of the plays. Decades ago, he studied intracranial pressure damage as part of his work. It's now common knowledge in many medical fields just how much brain damage is being done playing football yet the NFL is more about the greenbacks than the fullbacks. They're satisfying the Romanesque fans who seem to be a throw back to times when gladiators could fill coliseums.)

[Baclava]

24. 'Andrew Luck Is Giving Up Nearly $500M by Retiring'

With QB salaries already at $35 million per year, Luck would’ve pushed $40 million APY soon. Another deal after that maybe over $50 million APY

Luck piled up more than $97.1 million in on-field earnings during his seven-year NFL career, per Spotrac. He had three years remaining on the six-year, $140 million deal he signed in June 2016.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2850994-colts-owner-jim-irsay-says-andrew-luck-is-giving-up-nearly-500m-by-retiring

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How much is your health worth to you?

[NCjack]

28. A very smart retirement. nt

[Baclava]

29. Retire before 30 with $100M in the bank? I guess lol n/t

[Drahthaardogs]

30. No one is getting multi year deals at $35 Million a year guaranteed

NFL has a hard cap. You cant

[Baclava]

31. Wrong - Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks makes an average $35M/year

Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks is now the highest-paid player in the NFL.

Wilson and the Seahawks agreed to a 4-year, $140 million contract, which includes a record $65 million signing bonus and an average annual value of $35 million.

Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers is second on the list with an average annual salary of $34 million.

The Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers is third with $33.5 million in average annual salary

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/highest-paid-quarterbacks-ranking-nfl-qbs-by-salary-for-2019-season/ar-BBUsTs2

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Of course their actual salaries might not be that high due to the way they pay it out, but its on the books that way

[Drahthaardogs]

32. That's not $35 million a year guaranteed

That's annual salary and includes work out bonuses, signing bonuses, etc. Guaranteed money is usually paid in the first two years of a contract then the back end is incentive loaded. It is why players negotiate HARD for those guaranteed years.

I repeat, NO ONE is getting long term deals at $35 Million a year guaranteed.

[Baclava]

33. Ha ha, who cares, they will resign early to a new contract for even more money, QB's aren't starving

Hang in there one more year Ben, and give us a hometown discount, lol

[Drahthaardogs]

34. Actually, they usually take a haircut after the big pay out

Because with the hard cap, a QB making huge $$$ every year hinders the GM's ability to sign a quality team around that player. You will often see a star player agree to re-do their contract in the third or fourth year to free up cap space for the team. Tom Brady has done it for years, Peyton did too. It's a huge shell game and being a GM is probably harder than the coach.

[Baclava]

35. Then u have selfish divas like Bell and Brown, have fun on ur 4-11 teams

Asshats and their egos, good riddance. Stupid Antonio is fighting the NFL to play in his 10 year old unsafe helmet and doesnt give a shit about his health, only how it might affect his stats, and him looking good on tee-vee.

[Drahthaardogs]

36. Well he's always been kind of an idiot

So there's not much new there.

[FM123]

37. Wow. That really puts so much into perspective - both from those on the inside as well as outside.