Titan Sized
FanSided

Titans: Marcus Mariota, Mike Vrabel talk Andrew Luck retirement

By Michael Moraitis

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts walks off the field after the Indianapolis Colts preseason game against the Chicago Bears after it was reported that he would be retiring at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts walks off the field after the Indianapolis Colts preseason game against the Chicago Bears after it was reported that he would be retiring at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Marcus Mariota reacted to the news of Andrew Luck’s retirement after the third preseason game on Sunday night.

Andrew Luck’s retirement was a topic of conversation briefly during the Tennessee Titans’ post game press conference on Sunday night, and head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Marcus Mariota shared their thoughts.

Luck announced his retirement on Saturday night after the Colts’ Preseason Week 3 game against the Chicago Bears. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to break the news.

Mariota shared his own story about the former Colts quarterback. Luck came up to him after the 2018 do-or-die Week 17 game and told Mariota to “keep fighting through it” in regard to the Oregon product’s injury.

From Jim Wyatt of Titans Online.

"“He took the opportunity after the game to come up and talk to me. For me, as a young player, that meant a lot. He kind told me to keep fighting through it, that it is a journey, but not to worry about the ups and the downs and to just learn from it and to get healthy as quickly as possible.“For a guy who just beat us to get into the playoffs, for him to take time to come say that to me, it meant the world.”"

Mariota also said he was surprised when Luck’s retirement was announced.

"“I was kind of like everyone else – I was surprised. With my interactions with Andrew over the last few years, he is such a great guy off the field. He is obviously a great player. The interactions, just how nice he was to me as a young guy. I wish him nothing but the best.”"

As were we all. For Luck to retire at 29 years old and in the prime of his career was shocking to say the least, especially when you consider it happened just two weeks before the start of the regular season.

Paul Kuharsky asked the Titans head coach what his thoughts were when he heard about Luck’s decision, and Vrabel explained how sometimes the grind can get to football players.

"“Really just kind of focused on trying to improve this team right now, Paul. I just made reference, it could have been any player that decided to retire because of those reasons, and sometimes in this league, and a lot of times in this league, the grind kind of gets to you, whether that’s in your 15th year, or your eighth year, or your second year. So, I think just making sure that everybody’s all-in, coaching-wise and playing-wise, ready to go.”"

Andrew Luck was an astounding 11-0 in games he played against the Titans, so a major nemesis for Tennessee is now gone. Titans players and coaches wouldn’t say as much, but it’s a huge plus moving forward to not have to face a talent like Luck.

Home/Titans News