In his seven seasons in the NFL, Andrew Luck was one of football's premier quarterbacks, known for his physical gifts as much as his exceptional mind for the game. Signs of greatness shone early for the football star, both on and off the field. In high school he was ranked as the nation's most accurate quarterback while also serving as his class valedictorian. Following a legendary college football career, Luck was selected as the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.
Considered by many to be one of the most promising prospects in recent league history, Luck didn't disappoint as the quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. The gunslinger made an immediate impact within his first year by setting the rookie records for most passing yards in a season (4,374) and game (433), before guiding Indianapolis to consecutive AFC South division titles in his following two seasons. Earning numerous Pro Bowl honors during his career, in 2014 he led the league in passing touchdowns. However, much to the chagrin of his extremely large fan base, Luck retired before the start of the 2019 season, citing numerous injuries he’d sustained throughout his career.
In 2008, Luck really showed his commitment to both athletics and academics when he enrolled in Stanford University and soon became a campus legend. After being redshirted his first year in college, Luck led Stanford to the Sun Bowl as the team's starting quarterback. Luck would be named the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore, leading the team to a 12-1 record that included another impressive bowl game victory at the end of the season. In his final year on campus, Luck racked up numerous top honors, which includes receiving the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year award. Overall, he still ranks No. 2 in program history in passing yards (9,430), while his 82 career touchdown passes are still the most all time of any quarterback to ever put on a Stanford uniform.
Meanwhile, off the field, Luck was an exemplar of the Stanford student athlete, earning a 3.55 GPA as an architectural design major. Before graduating in 2012, he even earned praise from then-University President John Hennessy: "Andrew Luck is very much the quintessential Stanford student. He is bright, accomplished, and interested in many things.”
As it turns out, Luck's name still continues to reverberate throughout Stanford’s football program today. Even after ascending to the lofty ranks of Pro Bowl quarterback, Luck repeatedly made efforts to strengthen ties with his alma mater by returning to campus during off-seasons to work out and connect with the latest group of Stanford players. More recently, in 2020, Luck was also among a group of top Stanford alumni who signed a letter objecting to the school's decision to drop numerous varsity sports on campus. While a bit earlier, in 2012, his school received an anonymous donation that officially re-named the football team's Offensive Coordinator position after one of Stanford's greatest quarterbacks.