The sudden retirement of 29 year old NFL star Andrew Luck has spawned a media bonanza. I represent injured workers, so I am looking at this from the perspective of Luck as an injured worker.
Luck has dealt with a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, an abdominal injury, a lacerated kidney, and most recently, the amorphous calf/high ankle injury that Colts owner Jim Irsay compared to Kevin Durant's ruptured achilles.
Amongst the sea of analysis, what caught my ear were comments from former All-Pro guard, and current NFL analyst, Mark Schlereth. He provided a specific example of his intractable groin pain being downplayed by team physicians in-season. When the season ended, those same physicians took a "second look" at an MRI, and recommended a hernia repair. These physicians are on the team payroll and are not without conflict as they offer medical evaluation and advice. Of course they will do what they can, within reason, to clear players for game activity. Schlereth’s anecdote is a clear example of how the subjectivity of medicine can rear it’s ugly head.
I am sure that there were many games that Andrew Luck unreasonably pushed himself to be on the field for his teammates and fans. Now it’s time for him to take care of himself and to get his body, and mind, right.
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Just watched the press conference where Andrew Luck announced his retirement. What a refreshing message from him. He handled delivering the news well, recognized many people who played a part of his success, who were part of his life, was grateful for what he had and retired for the right reasons. Following his career, always thought he was a mature person who had a different perspective on things. There is life after sports, even when played at the highest level, like my son-in-law said to me just the other day, "play the long game." Mr. Luck certainly is doing that, being there for his family, friends and himself, at his best for the next 50 or 60 years; his best physically, mentally and emotionally; is the best decision to make. He had his time, his ego was in the right place to be aware enough to address the issues at hand then make the right decision. Bravo to him. Refreshing to see and hear, very authentic and honest press conference. I recommend you watch it, rather listen to me or other pundits comment on it.?