In Defense of Andrew Luck
I find it amazing that in today’s day and age, people who have the most laudable and genuine intentions often are the ones who get criticized the most. There is no better current example than Andrew Luck. Here we have a kid who many (myself included) believe is the best pro prospect at QB since Peyton Manning. Instead of celebrating his priorities and choice to put education over immediate NFL riches, we fans castigate him. In addition to accepting the fact that he and his family are the only ones who can truly know what’s “right” for him, Luck should be looked at as emblematic of all that’s right in sports. In a college football season that has been dominated by monetary transgressions by some of the sport’s greatest stars, is this not a MUCH-needed teachable moment for society’s youngsters and a reminder of all that collegiate athletics are supposed to stand for? I must add that this was the anti-"Decision:" a one-sentence press release, and no press conference.
Not only is it unfortunate that people are overlooking the main reason Luck is returning (he says he genuinely enjoys pursuing a degree and playing at Stanford) and missing a great lesson, there are other considerations being ignored. Here are five reasons that Luck’s decision not only makes personal and practical sense:
1. He’s not exactly a poor kid. His father, Oliver, played for the Houston Oilers, and has been a successful businessman upon retirement, including a stint as President and GM of the MLS’s Houston Dynamo. He’s currently the Athletic Director at West Virginia and makes 390K a year in base salary alone. Andrew’s money can wait. This argument would be more valid for somebody like Jake Locker, who comes from a decidedly blue-collar background.
2. People are already beginning to compare Luck to players like Jake Locker and Matt Leinart, guys whose stock slipped considerably after returning to school. However, to assume this will happen to Luck is ridiculous. Even when touted as a number one pick, there were questions about Locker’s passing ability and polish. Those were further exposed in his senior season. Scouts had significant concerns about Leinart’s arm strength. What’s different about Luck is I’ve yet to hear a single scout list a flaw. He simply has the complete package. It’s difficult to envision a scenario where going back to college would change that. What about injuries, you might ask? Of course, there’s always that concern. However, why don’t we ask Sam Bradford about that. Bradford not only got injured (for the second time) but there were also concerns about him coming from a spread offense. Where’d he end up going? That’s right, number one. And of course, you can be sure the Luck family has already purchased the best insurance policy available.
3. Luck has a chance to truly become a college football immortal. No matter what Jim Harbaugh decides to do, this is a top-five team entering next season with a lot of returning starters. If Harbaugh returns, I’d make them preseason number one. Editors note: Coach Harbaugh has since accepted the head coaching position with the San Francisco 49ers. Stanford has not yet named a replacement. They have a very favorable schedule and get to play Oregon in Palo Alto, rather than trekking up to Eugene to play in deafening Autzen Stadium. Luck is already my Heisman favorite for next season and if he wins a national championship and Heisman, he’ll leave a Tim Tebow-esque legacy.
4. I’ve heard a lot of people practically scream “He just gave up 50 million dollars!!!” Not so fast. Luck shrewdly took the uncertainty of the CBA into account. If a deal is signed before the draft, I don’t believe players would be grandfathered in under the old rookie compensation rules. They’d likely be subject to the much-talked about rookie pay scale. Under this scenario, there would be no financial difference between being the number 1 pick in 2011 and being the number 1 pick in 2012. It’s unclear what would happen if a CBA is signed after the draft.
5. Though there are so many uncertainties with the CBA and various hypotheticals, there is one question I have a definitive answer to, one many NFL fans (myself included) shudder to think about: What if there is a lockout next year? Well, Andrew would be out of luck. He would have no place to play and contract ramifications would be grainy. Instead, he’s taking the sure thing: another year at Stanford, where he’s sure to pursue a Heisman Trophy and national championship, not to mention a college degree.
