Andrew Luck Almost Reportedly Skipped Today’s Pro Bowl

According to the Indianapolis Star’s Stephen Holder, the Indianapolis Colts Andrew Luck almost skipped today’s Pro Bowl. After an embarrassing 45-7 blowout loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game, Luck considered using the time instead to both reflect and re-group:

"“It was hard,” Luck said. “But once you get out here and you get around the guys and some of your teammates, it feels better. But the morning after the (loss), you get a phone call and they need your decision and they want to make sure you’re not hurt, can you play and all that. I’m sitting there like … (sighs).“I mean, it is a privilege, but I am hurting in a sense. But I realize it’s an honor to be voted in and the fans really enjoy it. So, I did it.”"

While Luck acknowledged that he’s already experienced two tough playoff losses before this season’s brutal loss, the Colts recent playoff loss had a little more “sting” to it:

"“I think every loss in the playoffs leaves a really, really terrible taste in your mouth,” Luck said. “But this one has been worse than the other two because we did get so close. And the way we lost, it was just embarrassing.”"

The Indianapolis Colts know they aren’t too far off; however, they’ll have to surround Luck with better talent on both sides of the football, so the team doesn’t start turning into a “One man wrecking crew”. Luck will need to continue to improve and get better himself, as his 126 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, and 23.0 passer rating weren’t exactly elite in this year’s AFC Championship game. Although to be fair, he wasn’t getting much help from his receivers and was playing behind a patchwork offensive line.

Like anything else though, when you pour your heart and soul into something, and it comes up just short. It’s always excruciatingly tough:

"“When you put a lot of freakin’ work into something and you don’t realize it, it’s just hard,” Luck said."

Fortunately for Luck, he won’t have to wait until August to take out some of his frustration until next season, as he’ll get to face Team Irvin in today’s Pro Bowl in his last game before the NFL’s calendar year formally ends.

Jan 23, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck prepares to take the snap from Pittsburgh Steelers center Maukice Pouncey as Miami Dolphins guard Mike Pouncey reacts at Team Carter practice at Scottsdale Community College in advance of the 2015 Pro Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports