Andrew Luck Wears an ‘H’ on his Superman Cape These Days, for Humility
According to the Indianapolis Star’s Zak Keefer, it turns out Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck wears an “H” on his Superman cape these days instead of all other letters.
H for Horseshoe, right?
Not quite.
In a season that saw Luck play through torn cartilage in two of his ribs before ultimately succumbing to a season-ending lacerated kidney that cost him his team’s final 7 regular season games, Luck shows a great deal of humility these days:
"Nov 8, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) looks up at the replay screen during a game against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats Denver 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports“You just feel like you’re letting your teammates and your coaches down,” said Luck to the Indianapolis Star on his injuries. “You’re used to being in control. As quarterbacks, we all have control issues.”“There it is — that accountability,” writes Keefer. “For the first time as a pro, Luck couldn’t slip on his Superman suit and save the Colts. For the first time, his career wasn’t on the ascent. It had stalled. Declined. Regressed. Whatever you want to call it. He was helpless. It left him humbled. It also left him seething.”"
Playing behind a woeful offensive line, Luck did his best–battling through injuries, but the Colts quarterback endured a disappointing season along with his teammates, throwing for just 15 touchdowns to 12 interceptions and a career passer rating low of 74.9. Meanwhile, the Colts fell to just 2-5 in games in which Luck started–easily the worst mark of his near-pristine career.
Ultimately, with Luck missing 9 games during the regular season and looking like a shade of his former self behind center, the Colts fell to 8-8 on the season–missing the playoffs for the 1st time in Luck’s 4 years with the team.
Blame others?
No chance.
Himself?
Clearly.
However, Luck’s humility train doesn’t exactly stop there, as the hardworking quarterback continues to consider himself the “every man” at quarterback–putting his hard hat on, packing his lunchpail, and placing his belt through one loop at a time just like everyone else.
Despite freshly inking the richest deal in NFL history along with a blessed golden arm, Luck thinks he’s no more important than any other player on the Colts roster:
"“That’s why I think it’s the greatest sport in the world,” said Luck. “I can never do what T.Y. (Hilton) does, but I trust him to be in the right spot at the right time. I could never do what Anthony Castonzo does — I’d have no idea! Or Robert Mathis or Erik Walden. I’m never even on the field with them. But we trust each other. It’s a two-way thing. I love that.”"
After all, the NFL is the ultimate team game–11 vs. 11, and each player has a job to do. It goes back to the infamous football mantra, “Do your job.”
However, while certain players talk the talk, Andrew Luck actually walks it. He embodies it. It’s times like these where you realize the phenom quarterback actually means what he says–and believe him.
Something that shouldn’t go under-appreciated in a society where superstar professional athletes are routinely pampered prima donnas, who only care about themselves.
Hardworking.
Heart.
Yes, Andrew Luck has all of those things among others, but most importantly these days, there’s…
Humility.
It’s part of that, which makes him so seemingly special.