Jim Irsay Promises Andrew Luck is Coming Back in Emotional Press Conference
By Andrew Ites
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay addressed the media this week regarding the status of his franchise quarterback Andrew Luck. Irsay emphatically guaranteed that Luck will come back and finally recover from this shoulder injury.
It’s been almost exactly a year since Andrew Luck underwent shoulder surgery to recover from an injury to his labrum, and his future is still murky with a rocky rehab process. Luck sat out all of 2017 even though he tried to return to practice halfway through this past season.
Luck travelled to Europe in December to work with his former trainer, and possibly go through some alternative treatment in order to get his throwing shoulder back to full strength. He has returned to Indianapolis after his rehab stint in the Netherlands, and Luck is optimistic that he can avoid another surgery and get back on the field in 2018.
Jim Irsay may be even more optimistic than Luck is about his recovery as Irsay delivered a fiery press conference in support of his quarterback.
Here's Jim Irsay on Andrew Luck today: "Seeing the progress that he’s made and where he’s at mentally, physically, emotionally. It's really exciting."
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) January 1, 2018
Believe at your own peril.
Jim Irsay: "Andrew Luck is going to be back, and back with a fierce fire in his eyes, I promise you."
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) January 1, 2018
Believe him or don't believe him, but Jim Irsay's face just lights up every time he mentions Andrew Luck's name.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) January 1, 2018
"He's coming back," he says. "He's coming back."
Jim Irsay says Andrew Luck has "a 107-degree fever for success right now."
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) January 1, 2018
Yes, that's a real quote.
Jim Irsay getting spirited -- and fighting back a tear -- defending Andrew Luck. He is emotional.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) January 1, 2018
"That kid was BORN to do special things in the National Football League."
Colts fans have become numb to outrageous comments from their off-the-wall owner over the years, and these comments are just another example of that. We all know that Andrew Luck has an incredible work ethic and he will be doing everything in his power to return to his team as soon as possible.
However, that work ethic can work against him if he pushes himself too hard and doesn’t give his shoulder enough time to fully recover.
Covered the Colts for 5 years I've never seen ANYTHING like that from Jim Irsay. And I've seen some stuff.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) January 1, 2018
That was something. I'm not sure what, but that was something.
Next: Frank Gore’s Return to the Colts Depends on Andrew Luck’s Health
Jim Irsay got a bit carried away in this press conference, but it is a good sign to see him fully backing the franchise quarterback. We’ll see if Irsay’s guarantee comes true on opening day of 2018.