Jaguars' long snapper Matt Overton reacts to the retirement of former teammate Andrew Luck

For two times a year since signing with the Jaguars in 2017, long snapper Matt Overton had to stand on the opposite sideline from former teammate and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.
But when Luck sent shock waves through the sports world by retiring on Saturday, Overton reacted to his former teammate of five years walking away from the game with shock and sadness.
At a loss for words.
— Matt Overton (@MattOverton_LS) August 25, 2019
We love you Andrew 🙏
Just listened to Lucks retirement. I am shocked just as you are but I 100% understand, support & applaud. We play a kids game for a living & there is a wonderful life to be lived outside of football. Thank you Andrew for being a warrior & being a great teammate. Love you brother.
— Matt Overton (@MattOverton_LS) August 25, 2019
Luck didn’t quit on his team. Luck went through a brick wall a thousand times for his team & always took the heat like a champ. Selfless. True pro.
— Matt Overton (@MattOverton_LS) August 25, 2019
Go get your health & joy back brother!!! Thank you for everything you did for the team & city of Indy!#ThankYouLuck
And like multiple other players around the league did over the weekend, Overton condemned the reaction many fans gave Luck when the news broke Saturday, as he exited the field to a sea of boos.
This is just wrong on so many levels. From how the news was released to fans booing in anger & confusion. This cannot be he way Luck walks off the field for the last time. My heart breaks for our brother. https://t.co/PEVzICwake
— Matt Overton (@MattOverton_LS) August 25, 2019
Overton continued to speak on Luck's retirement after the weekend concluded. As reports came out of Colts' fans calling the team facility to demand refunds for season tickets, Overton made a generous gesture.
To any angry Colts season ticket holders who are seeking a refund,
— Matt Overton (@MattOverton_LS) August 26, 2019
I’d be more than happy to buy your season tix off of you & donate them to @RileyChildrens patients & their families. I’m serious.
All love,
~Matt

John Shipley has been covering the Jacksonville Jaguars as a beat reporter and publisher of Jaguar Report since 2019. Previously, he covered UCF's undefeated season as a beat reporter for NSM.Today, covered high school prep sports in Central Florida, and covered local sports and news for the Palatka Daily News. Follow John Shipley on Twitter at @_john_shipley.
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