Life Lessons From The Gridiron
I have to admit I am not a huge NFL fan; sure I’ll root for the Colts and catch an occasional game, but my Sundays do not revolve around football and I do not partake in Fantasy Football. Despite not having a fanatical mindset anymore, I was tuned into the news one year ago today as Andrew Luck walked away from the sport he loved at the age of 29.
I can’t remember a time when someone as young and talented as Andrew Luck walked away from a sport at such a young age with so many good years ahead of himself, or at least perceived good years to fans. Maybe Barry Sanders? Locally, Pat Mcafee, the former Colts kicker, made a similar decision—but no offense, McAfee is no Luck. I’m sure there are other examples escaping me and I mean no disrespect to other professionals and sports; these were the few that immediately came to mind.
Despite being injured for multiple years, Luck was still one of the games top quarterbacks and most respected athletes. And at 29, he walked away from it all…
“I’ve been stuck in this process. I haven’t been able to live the life I want to live,” Luck said. “Taken the joy out of this game, and after 2016, when I played in pain and was unable to regularly practice, I made a vow to myself that I would not go down that path again, I find myself in a similar situation and the only way forward for me is to remove myself from football and this cycle that I’ve been in.”
“I haven’t been able to live the life I want to live.”
“…the only way forward for me is to remove myself from football and this cycle that I’ve been in.”
I highlight these two parts of Andrew’s retirement speech because I love (and respect) that he was able to identify that he was not happy—that he was not living the life that he wanted to live. And instead of playing out the final years of his contract, continuing to be unhappy, continuing to get hurt, and ultimately causing more damage to his body and potentially family, he made a change. He had the self-awareness to recognize his life, at the time, as an NFL quarterback was no longer in alignment with his values and what he wanted out of life.
More Than Money
It is estimated Andrew Luck walked away from $400-$500 million in future earnings (this number includes salary, bonuses, endorsements, etc.—it’s including it all) with his retirement. Yes, at the time of his retirement Luck had earned $97 million in NFL salary (this is not including endorsements and other income)…retirement after earning nearly $100 million before the age of 30 probably would not be a hard decision for most of us. I don’t know Andrew’s financial picture, but the fact that he carried a flip phone for most of his career tells me he probably did a good job saving and investing his money.
So, yes Andrew Luck had made more money than he and his family would ever need…he brought his family generational wealth, but that doesn’t make walking away from hundreds of millions of dollars an easy decision. Take a few minutes, you don’t have to sit through the entire video, and watch Luck’s retirement speech. The emotion he displays shows you the decision was greater than money.
He was walking away from the game the loved because there was something (my guess is his family and quality of life) more important than sticking around and continuing to be hurt. There was something more important than doubling or tripling his net worth.
He had found a new purpose.
Are You Living The Life You Want?
How happy are you with the life you’ve built?
What would you change?
If you woke up tomorrow and had earned $97 million, what would you do different?
What is so important to you that you’d give up the opportunity to double or triple your net worth?
Ok, I know none (or very, very, very few) of us will ever find ourselves in Andrew Luck’s position—both financially and as a NFL quarterback. But, at some point we all will find ourselves wanting to pursue something different in our lives. Maybe it’s a new career. Maybe it’s starting a business. Maybe it’s getting out of a toxic relationship. Maybe you know what it is today. Maybe you don’t.
I hope when you find your new “something” you have the awareness to recognize it and the courage to pursue it. Pursuing YOUR better life is hard. It is emotional. It is scary. Friends and family will say you’re crazy. It will take planning, sacrifice, and a shift in priorities. But it is worth it once you achieve the alignment in your life that Andrew Luck now has.
If you’re not living the life you want, you owe it to yourself to change it.
Here’s my tweet from the day after Luck’s retirement:
Disclaimer: Nothing on this blog should be considered advice, or recommendations. If you have questions pertaining to your individual situation you should consult your financial advisor. For all of the disclaimers, please see my disclaimers page.