[Goose]

OK, 60 Minutes hat on.

Mr. Goose, what evidence that is was probable. Just between you and me. Apologies to Mike W.

The evidence is of two types. One is anecdotal. It was reported by several sources that JH was mulling over burning Luck's shirt before the TCU game. After Luck saw what happened to Tavita in that game he supposedly decided he wanted no part of that. When JH subsequently asked him, Luck said he felt he was not ready. While this is anecdotal, Luck was (several years) later directly asked if that was indeed the case on two occasions. He would neither confirm nor deny. I am pretty sure that if there was no truth to it, he would have simply denied it. It may be the reasons were not exactly as stated, but he didn't say that either. Pretty good indication it was at least partially true.

The second evidence is that Andrew Luck has demonstrated by his conduct throughout his entire career that he is his own man. You don't walk away from the NFL and all the associated money and fame unless you are "that kind of person". You don't go to Stanford and study architecture if you are easily swayed by what others think. The idea that he would not play if both he and JH thought it was a good idea is so completely out of character that I don't think it can be seriously entertained. I have no idea if Oliver Luck had any input on the decision, but to whatever extent he did, I would be amazed if the final decision was not made by Andrew.

[Goose]

OK, 60 Minutes hat on.

Mr. Goose, what evidence that is was probable. Just between you and me. Apologies to Mike W.

The evidence is of two types. One is anecdotal. It was reported by several sources that JH was mulling over burning Luck's shirt before the TCU game. After Luck saw what happened to Tavita in that game he supposedly decided he wanted no part of that. When JH subsequently asked him, Luck said he felt he was not ready. While this is anecdotal, Luck was (several years) later directly asked if that was indeed the case on two occasions. He would neither confirm nor deny. I am pretty sure that if there was no truth to it, he would have simply denied it. It may be the reasons were not exactly as stated, but he didn't say that either. Pretty good indication it was at least partially true.

The second evidence is that Andrew Luck has demonstrated by his conduct throughout his entire career that he is his own man. You don't walk away from the NFL and all the associated money and fame unless you are "that kind of person". You don't go to Stanford and study architecture if you are easily swayed by what others think. The idea that he would not play if both he and JH thought it was a good idea is so completely out of character that I don't think it can be seriously entertained. I have no idea if Oliver Luck had any input on the decision, but to whatever extent he did, I would be amazed if the final decision was not made by Andrew.