Luck opens up about NFL retirement: 'Part of my identity died'

Adjusting to life after the NFL wasn't easy for Andrew Luck.

The former Indianapolis Colts quarterback opened up about his retirement on Tuesday's episode of "The Dan Patrick Show," admitting he had a "grieving period" after his playing career ended.

"When I retired from the NFL, and I think I've noticed this in talking to other folks who have retired, and no matter, whatever the circumstance is, it's difficult," Luck said. "Whether it's after college, after a short career, after a long career. It's a difficult and challenging process.

"And there was a grieving period. And a grieving period because a part of my identity died, and that part of me was a football player. And that was a huge, huge part of me. Certainly I was more than just a football player, just like everybody out there ... but there was a grieving period. And, of course, life goes on, and daughters, and a family, and other things begin to fill that void. But you have to fill that void with something positive."

Luck abruptly retired from the NFL in August 2019 after seven seasons, all of which he spent with the Colts. He was just 29 years old at the time but battled several injuries during his career.

The now 35-year-old was recently named general manager of the football program at Stanford, where he played collegiately.