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Andrew Luck could've had a Hall of Fame career, but his playing time time was riddled with injuries. As a result, he retired abruptly at the age of 29. His surprising retirement, and subsequent fan reaction, will go down in NFL history as one of the worst breakups of all time. Matt Kryger/IndyStar via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Indianapolis Colts Hall of Shame: Worst breakup and more

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 6/9/23

After celebrating what Indianapolis Colts could end up in the Hall of Fame someday, we’ve switched gears to look at some of the more forgettable players and moments in franchise history.

Worst breakup: Andrew Luck

This has less to do with Luck’s actual parting with the Colts and more to do with when and how the news was received by the fan base. After Luck broke the news to his teammates, he was met with understanding and well wishes. But when the news reached Colts fans via a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter during a preseason game in August 2019, they didn’t share the same sentiment.

Colts fans rain down boos as Andrew Luck leaves the field after Saturday night's preseason game

(via SMH_35/reddit) pic.twitter.com/ENNxaSJABu
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 25, 2019

After the news broke, Luck was hit with a barrage of boos as he left the field at Lucas Oil Stadium for what would be the final time. During local news segments, the fan base was divided. Some were sympathetic to the number of injuries he had battled throughout his career, while others said good riddance to an injury-prone superstar.

It’s certainly not the final memory a four-time Pro Bowler who won 62 percent of his starts should have left with.

Worst draft pick: QB Jeff George

The Colts have had hits with the No. 1 overall pick — Luck and Peyton Manning, for example — but George was about as bad of a miss as Indy could have had. He lasted just four seasons with the team, compiling a 14-35 record as a starter and throwing more interceptions (46) than touchdown passes (41).

Playing his high school ball at Warren Central in Indianapolis, George was the hometown hero. Fans had more invested in him than the typical player because he was a local kid playing for the local professional football team. However, he had a bad temper, and he wasn’t afraid to have it out with anyone who rubbed him the wrong way, including teammates and fans.

Worst free-agent signing: Safety LaRon Landry

In 2013, Indianapolis GM Ryan Grigson wasn’t wary of paying big money to a Landry, who had overachieved in a contract year the previous season with the Jets. Indianapolis signed Landry signed a four-year, $24 million deal.

Unfortunately for the Colts, they got zero interceptions, two passes defensed, 134 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 23 games for their investment.

Landry’s 2014 season was a disaster. After serving a four-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs, he struggled to win his starting safety spot back from Sergio Brown, and the team released him at the end of the year. Landry never played another season in the league.

Worst loss: Minnesota Vikings, Dec. 17, 2022

Sorry, Colts fans. The wounds caused by this one are probably still fresh. But when your team allows the largest comeback in NFL history, that’s something that will never be lived down.

We are going to overtime in Minnesota!

After trailing 33-0 at halftime, with a win probability as low as 0.4%, the @Vikings now have a chance to mount the biggest comeback in NFL history.#INDvsMIN | 36-36 OT pic.twitter.com/KM1zCGHrfC
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 17, 2022

The Colts somehow found a way to blow a 33-point halftime lead and lose by three points in overtime. Indianapolis had every opportunity to put the game away in the second half, but Minnesota forced the Colts to punt five times, with a fumble and a turnover-on-downs sprinkled in. Kirk Cousins threw for four touchdowns to get the game to overtime.

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