Andrew Luck 'Excited to Watch Where This Thing Goes' with Anthony Richardson's Colts

Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck made a rare public appearance in Indy on Friday, speaking to media at the ChuckStrong Tailgate Gala.

When relationships end abruptly, it can be difficult to revisit those old settings. When it came to former quarterback Andrew Luck's departure from the Indianapolis Colts — and the game of football altogether— back in 2019, abrupt is one of several words you could use to describe it.

However, time heals all wounds, as they say, and both Luck and the Colts have moved forward.

Luck, now 34, was in Indianapolis at the Colts' facility on Friday evening for the 12th ChuckStrong Gala, an annual event put on by the Colts in honor of former head coach Chuck Pagano's successful battle with cancer back during the 2012 season (Luck's rookie year), which raises money for the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Luck doesn't make many public appearances around Indianapolis since his retirement — it's no longer home base since he entered grad school at Stanford. However, one of the elephants in the room is how things ended with the Colts, during the second half of a preseason game as news of his impending retirement was broken online by ESPN's Adam Schefter. The news spread through Lucas Oil Stadium like wildfire and Luck was sent off the field for the final time under a rain of jeers.

While the moment certainly hurt and would understandably lead to some apprehension to make future appearances, for Luck, returning to Indianapolis this week was as simple as replying to Pagano that he'd check his family's schedule to make sure the date was open.

Luck was in great spirits on Friday speaking to the media who covered him for seven years, displaying a loose, goofy demeanor as he answered questions about his current life, scratching the football itch by getting into high school coaching, what the city of Indianapolis means to him — he said it's "dope" in May because of the Indy 500 atmosphere — as well as Anthony Richardson as the team's new quarterback.

What happens next for the Colts? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!

Luck can certainly understand the gravity of what Richardson is now entering as the young face of a franchise that is itching to get back on top.

"I have not met Anthony in person. We have texted and stuff and just paths haven't been able to cross. Like this weekend. It's just he's not here, and it's just the way it is. I know we'll get to meet at some point," Luck said.

"I do hesitate with advice — he's certainly not a kid. I mean, that guy's out there playing quarterback for the NFL and that's hard. It's really hard," Luck continued. "And I think he has the approach, I think he's got the support system, to be able to be a real success in this league and a real dynamic player that Colts fans can be proud of, and fans around the country to be proud of. So I'm excited to watch, you know, where this things goes."

Richardson, the Colts hope, is finally the answer to what has tormented the team at the quarterback position since Luck's departure. No more temporary fixes; all the eggs are in the Anthony Richardson basket.

Success for the Colts and specifically Richardson moving forward will help quell any hurt that may still exist from a fanbase that was frankly devastated by Luck leaving. As for Luck's feeling toward the city and fanbase, rest assured there is no question they still hold a special place for him.

"I feel, you mentioned, I am a part of the fabric of the sports story in the city," Luck acknowledged. "I certainly feel like Indianapolis is a massive part of the fabric of who I am and where life has gone. And the highs and the lows and everything feels very real. And so, yeah, you know, I certainly feel the love in a sense, from the city. And I hope people know it's reciprocal."

Need your fill on daily Colts' content? Head over to the Locked On Colts' YouTube channel where Jake Arthur and Zach Hicks hit on all the major topics surrounding this team. Hit that subscribe button while you are there!

Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X, and subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.