The retirement of Andrew Luck shocked the sports world. The initial shock was one of those “remember where you were when it happened” moments as the shockwaves reverberated through group-texts and social media. Surprisingly, the majority of the response was positive. Sure, to resign so close to the season and as an athlete in his prime, it made people pay attention. But Luck’s heartfelt press conference and explanation won most people over. Who wouldn’t love to retire at age 29? Of course, a retirement this shocking consumed the sports world for a solid week (and running), bringing out the best and worst of the sports world.
For starters, this guy reacted the way most rational Colts fans should:
yo Andrew Luck is just going to retire like that? With no warning at age 29, right before the season starts? I hope he sees this video, I speak for EVERY #Colts fan pic.twitter.com/oUmLyLyTTE
— palmer (@dpalm34) August 25, 2019
Then you have what is probably the worst take of the week, coming from marginalized talk show host Doug Gottlieb.
Retiring cause rehabbing is “too hard” is the most millennial thing ever #AndrewLuck
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) August 25, 2019
He was then dragged viciously all week long, and rightfully so. One of my favorite clapbacks came from NFL legend Troy Aikman.
That’s total bullshit Doug. What qualifies you to decide how someone should live their life? So you’re now the authority on what motivates Andrew Luck? And if his decisions don’t fit into what you think is best for him then you rip him? Guess that keeps you employed on FS1. Nice https://t.co/p59DsmPoER
— Troy Aikman (@TroyAikman) August 26, 2019
Outside of Doug, one of the most disappointing reactions had to be from the Colts fans at LucasOil Stadium when the news broke, and BOOED their star quarterback off the field, after putting his body on the line for them for years. Some fans even began canceling tickets. But the best response of the week came from the former Colts player who offered to buy all the tickets bandwagon fans were ready to part with, so he could donate them to Children’s Hospital.
That’s total bullshit Doug. What qualifies you to decide how someone should live their life? So you’re now the authority on what motivates Andrew Luck? And if his decisions don’t fit into what you think is best for him then you rip him? Guess that keeps you employed on FS1. Nice https://t.co/p59DsmPoER
— Troy Aikman (@TroyAikman) August 26, 2019
That’s a much better way to respond to the controversy than the OJ Simpson tweet, which is still too bizarre to even link to.
In other sports news, UFC stars Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier have had a longstanding feud, but it was one that Jones put aside to console his rival after the recent passing of his father. It’s always refreshing too when athletes take a minute to be real and recognize when something is bigger than the sport.
All beef aside, I’m really sorry about your loss DC. Know that he’s in heaven with the opportunity to watch you front row and center for the rest of your life. Continue living a life that makes him proud. Thoughts go out to you and your family today https://t.co/8IyQGzXt4a
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) August 26, 2019
Brewers Star Christian Yelich changed his walkup song recently to own a random Twitter critic. Yelich was admonished by an anonymous person for posing in ESPN’s “The Body” issue, and he brushed it off pretty brusquely.
Relax Roxane https://t.co/enTB1OpNIv
— Christian Yelich (@ChristianYelich) August 27, 2019
In his first at-bat since the Twitter exchange, he walked up to the song “Roxanne” by The Police.
He did it! #Roxanne pic.twitter.com/OxEFnrxEMJ
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) August 27, 2019
And tennis icon Serena Williams survived a U.S. Open scare from a teenager. 17-year-old Caty McNally gave Williams a quick scare by taking an early set from her. It was a big moment for the young player ranked No. 111 in the world, and it may be a sign of things to come for McNally. For Williams, it was just yet another in a long line of kids she’s defeated.
At the Slams, Serena Williams is 55-3 vs teenagers.
Losses:
Venus Williams, 1998 AO R64
Maria Sharapova, 2004 Wimbledon F
Sloane Stephens, 2013 AO QFHas never lost to a teen @usopen.
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) August 29, 2019