History of Andrew Luck in Timeline
"Andrew Luck is a retired American football quarterback who had a successful yet relatively short career in the NFL. Drafted first overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, Luck lived up to the hype he garnered during his college years at Stanford University, where he won numerous awards and accolades. His professional career, though marked by achievements, was ultimately cut short after only seven seasons."
1983: Comparison to John Elway
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN draft analyst, called Andrew Luck the best quarterback prospect he'd seen since John Elway in 1983.
September 12, 1989: Birth
Andrew Luck was born on September 12, 1989.
1996: Previous Freshman Quarterback
The last time a freshman was the starting quarterback before Luck was Chad Hutchinson in 1996.
1998: Comparison to Peyton Manning
By midseason 2011, Tony Pauline, of Sports Illustrated, described Andrew Luck as "the best quarterback since Peyton Manning" in 1998.
December 2008: Shutout Victory and Record-Breaking Performance
During the 2014 season, Andrew Luck led the Colts to a 27-0 shutout victory against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7. This was Indianapolis' first shutout win since December 2008. Luck had an impressive performance, throwing for 344 yards and two touchdowns.
2008: Stanford Career Begins
Andrew Luck began his collegiate football career at Stanford University in 2008.
2008: High School Graduation and College Decision
Andrew Luck graduated high school as co-valedictorian and chose to attend Stanford University, turning down offers from several other schools.
2008: Redshirt Year
Andrew Luck redshirted his freshman year at Stanford in 2008.
2009: Starting Quarterback and Sun Bowl Berth
Andrew Luck became the starting quarterback for Stanford, leading them to victories over Oregon and USC and a berth in the Sun Bowl in 2009.
September 2010: NFL Ready
Andrew Luck was considered "the most NFL-ready of all the draft-eligible quarterback prospects" by Sports Illustrated's Tony Pauline in September of 2010.
December 2010: Projected Top Pick
Sporting News projected Andrew Luck as the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL draft in December 2010, but he chose to return to Stanford for his senior year.
2010: Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year and Orange Bowl Victory
Andrew Luck was named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year, led Stanford to a 12-1 record, and won the Orange Bowl in 2010.
January 6, 2011: Returning to Stanford
Andrew Luck announced his decision to stay at Stanford for another year and not enter the 2011 NFL draft on January 6, 2011.
May 2011: Projected Top Pick
Andrew Luck was unanimously projected as the top prospect for the 2012 NFL draft in May 2011.
2011: Suck for Luck
During the 2011 NFL season, some fans advocated for their teams to intentionally lose games ("Suck for Luck") to secure the first draft pick and a chance to draft Andrew Luck. The Indianapolis Colts, playing without Peyton Manning, finished 2-14 and won the first pick.
2011: Record-Breaking Rookie Season
During the 2011 season, Andrew Luck had a record-breaking rookie year, throwing for the same number of yards as Peyton Manning. He also led the Colts to their first win against the Minnesota Vikings, throwing for 224 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
2011: Awards and Recognition
Andrew Luck received numerous awards and recognitions in 2011, including the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year, Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, and finished as runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.
2011: Stanford Career Ends
Andrew Luck finished his collegiate football career at Stanford in 2011.
March 2012: Nike Signs Andrew Luck
In March 2012, Nike, Inc. signed Andrew Luck to its roster of athletes.
April 26, 2012: Drafted by the Colts
On April 26, 2012, Andrew Luck was officially selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the first overall pick in the NFL Draft.
June 17, 2012: Andrew Luck Graduates from Stanford
On June 17, 2012, Andrew Luck graduated from Stanford with a bachelor's degree in architectural design. He also received the Al Masters Award for the highest standards of athletic performance, leadership, and academic achievement.
July 19, 2012: Signing with the Colts
Andrew Luck signed a four-year, $22 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts on July 19, 2012, becoming the fourth starting quarterback for the Colts in two seasons.
November 25, 2012: Victory over the Undefeated Seahawks
On October 6, 2013, Andrew Luck led the Indianapolis Colts to a 34-28 victory over the previously undefeated Seattle Seahawks, handing them their first regular-season loss since November 25, 2012.
December 23, 2012: Breaking the Rookie Passing Record
On December 23, 2012, Andrew Luck broke the record for most passing yards in a season by a rookie with 4,183 yards, surpassing Cam Newton's record of 4,051 yards.
2012: Stanford Offensive Coordinator Chair
An anonymous donor funded a permanent chair for the Stanford offensive coordinator position in 2012 to be named the "Andrew Luck Director of Offense."
2012: Fiesta Bowl Appearance
Andrew Luck led Stanford to the Fiesta Bowl in 2012.
2012: NFL Draft
Andrew Luck was selected first overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2012 NFL draft.
2012: No. 1 Draft Prospect
Andrew Luck's status as the No. 1 draft prospect was solidified heading into the 2012 NFL Draft.
September 2013: Andrew Luck Invests in BodyArmor SuperDrink
In September 2013, Andrew Luck became a partner and investor in BodyArmor SuperDrink.
2013: Reunion with Pep Hamilton and Early Success
In 2013, Andrew Luck reunited with his Stanford offensive coordinator, Pep Hamilton. He led the Colts to victories against the Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, and Jacksonville Jaguars, showcasing his ability to lead comebacks and secure wins.
2013: Andrew Luck Appears on Parks and Recreation
In 2013, Andrew Luck appeared on the comedy series Parks and Recreation as himself alongside teammates Reggie Wayne, Anthony Castonzo, Robert Mathis, and Adam Vinatieri during the show's fifth season.
2013: Top Game of 2013
Andrew Luck's remarkable comeback win against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2013 playoffs was ranked as the top game of the year by NFL.com.
2013: Playoff Run
Andrew Luck led the Colts to the playoffs and oversaw the second largest playoff comeback in NFL history during the 2013 playoffs.
January 4, 2014: Historic Playoff Comeback
On January 4, 2014, Andrew Luck orchestrated a historic comeback victory against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. Overcoming a 28-point deficit, Luck threw for 433 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Colts to a 45-44 win.
January 19, 2014: Pro Bowl Selection and Recognition
Andrew Luck was named to his second Pro Bowl on January 19, 2014, replacing Russell Wilson. He was also recognized as the 30th best player in the league by his peers in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014.
2014: Breaking the Single-Season Touchdown Mark
Andrew Luck broke his single-season touchdown record in Week 9 of the 2014 season against the New York Giants. He threw for four touchdowns, bringing his season total to 26. Additionally, Luck became the first quarterback in 2014 to reach 3,000 passing yards.
2014: AFC Championship and Passing Touchdowns Leader
Andrew Luck led the Indianapolis Colts to the AFC Championship game and led the league in passing touchdowns in 2014.
2014: Record-Breaking Season and Playoff Run
In 2014, Andrew Luck had a remarkable season, setting a new record for single-season completions, surpassing his previous mark set in the same year. This achievement demonstrated his exceptional passing accuracy and consistency on the field. Furthermore, he led the Colts to the playoffs, securing a Wild Card berth after a strong finish to the season.
2014: Career Highs and Milestones
In 2014, Andrew Luck had a standout year, achieving a career-high of 5 touchdown passes in a single game against the Washington Redskins, marking a significant win for the Colts. Moreover, he solidified his position as the first quarterback to reach 4,000 passing yards in 2014. His achievements were recognized with the AFC Offensive Player of the Month award for November, a testament to his exceptional performance.
2015: Playoff Run and Franchise Records
During 2015, Andrew Luck led the Colts to the playoffs for the third consecutive year, securing a division title and a Pro Bowl selection. He surpassed Peyton Manning's franchise record for passing yards in a single season, solidifying his place in Colts history. He also became the 8th quarterback in NFL history to throw for 40 or more touchdowns in a single season, a testament to his exceptional skill. Despite strong performances in the Wild Card and Divisional Rounds, Luck and the Colts fell to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game.
2015: Lingering Shoulder Issues
In 2015, Andrew Luck began experiencing shoulder problems that would later necessitate surgery and significantly impact his career. These early signs of injury foreshadowed the challenges he would face in the coming seasons.
2015: Capt. Andrew Luck Parody Twitter Account
Starting in 2015, a parody Twitter account portrayed Andrew Luck as 'Capt. Andrew Luck,' an American Civil War-like soldier commenting on his career.
2016: Injury Setbacks and Missed Opportunities
In 2016, Andrew Luck faced setbacks due to a shoulder injury, causing him to miss the first two games of his career. Despite his return and efforts, including a near comeback against the Carolina Panthers, a lacerated kidney and a partially torn abdominal muscle sustained in a game against the Denver Broncos sidelined him for the remainder of the season. The Colts, for the first time in Luck's tenure, missed the playoffs, highlighting his crucial role in the team's success.
2016: Contract Extension and Continued Excellence
In 2016, Andrew Luck signed a historic six-year contract extension with the Colts, worth $140 million, making him the highest-paid player in the league at the time. This underscored his value to the team and his status as a top quarterback in the NFL. He continued his impressive form, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 31 touchdowns, achieving a career-high completion percentage despite missing a game due to a concussion.
2017: Sidelined and Seeking Treatment
Throughout 2017, Andrew Luck remained sidelined due to his shoulder injury, unable to play a single game. He diligently pursued various treatment options, even traveling to Europe to seek specialized care. His absence highlighted the severity of the injury and the long road to recovery he faced.
2017: Missed Season
Andrew Luck missed the entire 2017 NFL season due to injury.
2017: Shoulder Surgery and Missed Season
After the 2016 season, Luck underwent surgery to address a lingering shoulder issue that had persisted since 2015. This marked the beginning of a challenging period in his career, as the recovery process took longer than anticipated, leading him to miss the entirety of the 2017 season.
February 7, 2018: Positive Prognosis and Continued Rehab
On February 7, 2018, there was a glimmer of hope for Andrew Luck and Colts fans as general manager Chris Ballard announced that Luck would not require further surgery on his injured shoulder. This positive news indicated that Luck's recovery was progressing, albeit slowly, and provided optimism for his eventual return to the field.
September 9, 2018: The Return
On September 9, 2018, after 616 days away from the game, Andrew Luck made his highly anticipated return to the NFL field in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Although the Colts lost, Luck's performance, which included 319 passing yards and two touchdowns, showcased his resilience and determination to overcome adversity and reclaim his place as a premier quarterback in the league.
March 31, 2019: Andrew Luck Marries Nicole Pechanec
On March 31, 2019, Andrew Luck married his longtime girlfriend, Nicole Pechanec.
June 14, 2019: Andrew Luck Announces Expecting First Child
On June 14, 2019, Andrew Luck announced that he and his wife, Nicole Pechanec, were expecting their first child.
August 24, 2019: Andrew Luck Announces Retirement
On August 24, 2019, after seven seasons and at the age of 29, Andrew Luck abruptly announced his retirement two weeks before the start of the season. At a press conference, he cited his recurrent cycle of injuries and rehabilitation as the primary reason for his decision.
November 2019: Birth of Andrew Luck's First Child
In November 2019, Andrew Luck and his wife, Nicole Pechanec, welcomed their first child, a daughter named Lucy.
2019: Comeback Recognition
In 2019, Andrew Luck's remarkable comeback from injury and his stellar performance earned him widespread recognition. He was named to his fourth Pro Bowl, solidifying his status as one of the league's top quarterbacks. Additionally, he received the prestigious National Football League Comeback Player of the Year Award from the Pro Football Writers Association, a testament to his resilience and dedication.
2019: Retirement
Andrew Luck retired from professional football ahead of the 2019 NFL season, citing ongoing issues from previous injuries.
August 2022: Andrew Luck Pursues Master's Degree
In August 2022, Andrew Luck returned to Stanford as a graduate student, pursuing a master's degree in education.
December 2022: Details on Andrew Luck's Retirement
In December 2022, an ESPN article by Seth Wickersham provided more details about Andrew Luck's retirement. Luck clarified that while injuries played a role, another factor was his desire to save his relationship with his wife, Nicole, choosing his marriage over his career.
2022: College Football Hall of Fame Inductee Announcement
Andrew Luck was announced as a 2022 inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame on January 10th.
2022: College Football Hall of Fame Induction
Andrew Luck was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
2022: Andrew Luck Moves to Bay Area
In 2022, after his retirement, Andrew Luck moved to the Bay Area and returned to Stanford. He is known to be very private, enjoys cycling, and has no social media presence.
September 21, 2023: Andrew Luck Appears as 'Capt. Andrew Luck'
On September 21, 2023, Andrew Luck appeared on the post-game broadcast dressed as 'Capt. Andrew Luck,' an internet meme portraying him as an American Civil War-like soldier, after a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Giants.
2023: Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame
Andrew Luck was inducted into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.
2023: Andrew Luck Becomes Volunteer Coach
In 2023, Andrew Luck began serving as a part-time volunteer coach at Palo Alto High School, working with the school's junior varsity team.