Indianapolis Colts alum Andrew Luck has joined the Stanford football program as its general manager, a long-awaited return to football for many fans who were stunned when he unexpectedly retired in 2019.
Luck was signed by the Colts in the 2012 draft, and was an immediate superstar. He had themost passing yards, most pass attempts, most 300-yard passing games, and themost game-winning drives in NFL history, and led the Colts to the playoffs -- all in his rookie year. During his tenure with the Colts, he showed incredible toughness too, playing through a lacerated kidney and a torn abdominal muscle. The injuries unfortunately caught up to him, and he missed the entire 2017 season with shoulder surgery. He returned in 2018 and played so well, he was named the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year. Just two weeks before the 2019 season was about the begin, though, Luck shocked the NFL world and walked away from it all.
Now, he's finally coming back home to football. He told ESPN that his new position was created specifically for him, and gives him an unprecedented amount of control over the Stanford program. He will oversee literally everything football: the coaches, player personnel staff, recruiting, the student-athlete experience, and more.
It is GREAT to see you back as a face of big time football Andrew Luck..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 30, 2024
We miss you in Indianapolis and we’ve missed you in the football world..
I’m so PUMPED that this is happening #CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/or8UlbZumL
"I'm excited," he told ESPN. "I think Stanford is taking an assertive and innovative step. We're undoubtedly the best athletic department in college sports. We have to re-prove it in football, and we're excited to be part of that challenge."
Luck played football at Stanford, where he led the team to BCS bowl berths in both of his final two seasons; he was also the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy both of those years.
"I am a product of this university, of Nerd Nation; I love this place," Luck said, according to the Associated Press. "I believe deeply in Stanford's unique approach to athletics and academics and the opportunity to help drive our program back to the top. Coach Taylor has the team pointed in the right direction, and I cannot wait to work with him, the staff, and the best, brightest, and toughest football players in the world."