Analyst Claims Andrew Luck Is The Greatest Football Player Of All-Time Despite Early Retirement

Former Stanford star Andrew Luck walked away from the NFL during what should have been the prime of his career

Andrew Luck left Stanford as one of the most accomplished players ever and was viewed as the best quarterback prospect in the NFL Draft since Peyton Manning or maybe even John Elway.

He had arm strength, the cerebral aspect, mobility, and was a great leader. However, once he got to the NFL there was one thing that he was lacking, which was an offensive line that could consistently protect him. Luck's seven-year NFL career was riddled with injuries, and was the only flaw in his game. However, in what is still one of the most shocking decisions in sports history, Luck walked away from the NFL at just 29 years old.

He left after making four Pro Bowls, leading the league in passing touchdowns in 2014, and after being named Comeback Player of the Year in 2018. Every once in a while there are reports that a team wants to kick the tires on Luck, but his playing days are done and he is now a volunteer coach at Palo Alto High School and is involved with the Stanford program. 

Even though we never saw him reach his full potential, his former teammate and current Thursday Night Football analyst Sam Schwartzstein still thinks Luck is elite. In fact, when making an appearance on Barstool's Pardon My Take, Luck's former lineman even went as far as to say that Luck is still the greatest player of all time. 

When asked if Luck could play right now, Schwartzstein explained that he didn't think that Luck would be interested in doing so.

"No, I don't think he wants to," said Schwartzstein. "He has to play a certain way. Right. And so, and he doesn't want to, he's like super dad. So we go to the Stanford tailgates we still talk about Stanford football all the time, he helps me with both the models and prep for every game because I want to go out there...If I wanna talk about a quarterback or a scheme that...I want to make sure I'm doing it right..."

While revealing how involved in football Luck still is, Schwartzstein then made a bold stance about where he views Luck all-time.

"But he still loves the game of football," said Schwartzstein "I just think that's passed, passed him by. I still think he's the greatest player of all time. You guys didn't get to see it...He could do absolutely everything and would do anything for his teammates. Best leader we had..."

Schwartzstein continued, explaining what separates Luck from anyone else.

"He was an unbelievable leader, he would do everything from the moment he stepped on the field at Stanford even with Toby Gerhart and all these All-Americans, he was by far the best player on the field as a freshman."

Schwartzstein then explained that while a lot goes into someone being the best with things such as schematics and teammates playing a role, if Luck was plugged into the right scenario, he could do "anything on a football field".

Something we will never get to see, but also something that many often think about.