Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck stuns NFL with shock retirement

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has announced his shock retirement from the NFL, just two weeks out from the start of the new season.

The 29-year-old, who was the number one pick at the 2012 draft, has seen his career dogged by injuries. He missed the entirety of the 2017 campaign after having shoulder surgery, but was the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year last season as he returned to lead the Colts to the playoffs for the first time in four years.

News of his surprise decision broke midway through the franchise’s preseason game against the Chicago Bears. Luck has not featured in preseason because of a leg injury, but was present on the sidelines and was booed by some fans at the Lucas Oil Stadium.

"It's taken my joy of this game away," Luck said. "It's the hardest decision of my life - but it is the right decision for me.

"For the last four years or so, I've been in this cycle of injury, pain, rehab, injury, pain, rehab. It's been unceasing, unrelenting, both in-season and off-season - and I felt stuck in it.

"The only way I see out is to no longer play football."