Except for 1 or 2 of my readers...maybe none...the name Andrew Luck will mean nothing. Until I read his name in the paper and the recent stories about him...I hadn't heard of him either, but now...I'm a 'Luck' fan.
Why? Because he's got guts...and ideals...that I applaud and admire. Few people could make the decision he says he has made...including me.
I'm not so gullible to believe the story is over...so we'll have to see if he sticks to his plan. Heh...even if he changes his mind, who could blame him?
Here's the basics of the story. Andrew Luck is the quarterback for Stanford University...one of the pre-eminent universities in the country. Luck led his football team to one of their most successful seasons in 3/4 of a century. His success on the football field has the 'pundits' saying that...if he were to turn pro now...he would be the first player selected in the football draft this spring. For being that first player...he would become an instant multi-millionaire.
What makes him admirable is that Luck is a junior...and...rather than turning pro...is planning on returning for his senior season to finish his college degree. Then, when he's done, he'll consider becoming a pro football player.
Those that think they know something about football...say his choice of returning to college for one more year versus turning pro now...will cost him somewhere around $50 million. Not too many 20-something year old kids have the integrity to turn their back on that kind of money.
Now don't feel sorry for the guy. If he's really that good of a quarterback...he'll make more money than we'll ever see or think of...and that he could likely ever spend.
But there will be many people out there who will say he's making a major mistake. He can earn that degree during the off season..or after his pro career ends...if he'll ever even need a college degree. That kind of money doesn't come along often...he better grab it while it's there.
I'll be interested in following this story to see if he stays with his initial decision...or changes his mind.
Either way...I think I like this kid.
Good luck, Luck.
Dan
Thanksgiving Letter to the Family
5 months ago
Yeah, I've heard of him, twenty or so miles from here. Story has it that Payton Manning talked to him and told him, "Hey. Before your time is over in the NFL, you will make $200 million. You don't need to hurry. Finish school."
ReplyDeleteI thought that was pretty good advice. He seems to have followed it.