Your Must-See Sports Headlines for Today, August 25

Andrew Luck announced his retirement and a lightning strike injured multiple fans at the TOUR Championship.

Getty Images, NBC Sports Andrew Luck announced his retirement and a lightning strike injured multiple fans at the TOUR Championship.

Welcome to the roundup of must-see sports news from Saturday, highlighted by the shocking announcement of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck’s retirement from the NFL.

We’ll also take a look at a scary scene at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta when lightning strikes injured multiple fans at the PGA TOUR Championship.

All this and more as we get you up to speed with the sports world on this Sunday!


Colts QB Andrew Luck Shockingly Announces Retirement

Andrew Luck announced his retirement from the NFL on Saturday night.

Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesAndrew Luck announced his retirement from the NFL on Saturday night.

In a move that no one could have seen coming, Indianapolis Colts franchise quarterback Andrew Luck announced his retirement on Saturday night.

Luck will reportedly be walking away from $58 million as he hangs it up just a few weeks shy of turning 30-years-old.

The four-time Pro Bowler spoke during a news conference Saturday night about how the injuries he suffered over the years have had a major effect on his mental state, taking away his love for the game.

“I’ve been stuck in this process,” said an emotional Luck after the Colts’ preseason game against the Chicago Bears. “I haven’t been able to live the life I want to live. It’s taken the joy out of this game … the only way forward for me is to remove myself from football.”

Luck was drafted No. 1 overall in 2012 and went on to lead the Colts to four playoff appearances, including a trip to the 2014 AFC Championship game.

After making the playoffs in his first three seasons, Luck hurt his shoulder early in the 2015 season. He’d go on to have surgery on his right throwing shoulder after the 2016 season, which would end up sidelining him for the entire 2017 season.

Returning in 2018, Luck had a banner season, throwing for 4,593 yards and 39 touchdowns, on his way to winning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.

Luck was hampered by injuries again in the lead-up to this upcoming season, as he suffered a calf strain early in the year that had him miss minicamp. He participated in a limited fashion for only three days during training camp, before shutting it down because he was having issues with pocket mobility.

According to ESPN, Luck said at the end of July that he wouldn’t come back until he was 100% healthy, as he still had “emotional scars” from trying to get back on the field during the 2017 season.

The Colts are coming off a season where they made it to the divisional round of the playoffs and now, just a couple weeks out from kicking off a new season, are left grappling with the news that they’ll be without their field general…for good.

“It’s very difficult,” Luck said. “I love this team, I love my teammates.”

Jacoby Brissett, who was acquired from the New England Patriots in 2017, will now take the reins at QB.

The 26-year-old Brissett played in 15 games during the 2017 season in Luck’s absence, throwing for 13 touchdowns and 3,098 yards.

News of Luck’s retirement broke and spread during the second half of Saturday night’s Colts-Bears preseason contest and Indianapolis fans didn’t take it well, booing Luck off the field.

Luck heard the fans’ resentment, which he spoke about after the game.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t hear it. Yeah, it hurt.”

More from Heavy.com:
Andrew Luck Salary: How Much Was Colts QB’s Contract?
Colts QB Depth Chart After Andrew Luck’s Retirement
Jacoby Brissett: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know


Lightning Strikes Injure Fans at TOUR Championship, Suspend Third Round


Severe weather led to lightning strikes at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta on Saturday that injured multiple fans.

About a half-hour into a stoppage in play that was due to the pending weather that was moving in, a lightning bolt struck a tree near the 15th green/16th tee, and debris from that tree injured four people.

Six people altogether were injured and transported to local hospitals, but thankfully according to the PGA TOUR, the injuries “do not appear to be life-threatening.”

Video of the terrifying lightning strike was captured by NBC Sports as a part of their third-round coverage on Saturday:

Play ended up being suspended for the rest of the day and the PGA TOUR released the following statement regarding Saturday’s incident:

The third round is scheduled to resume at 8 a.m. ET on Sunday and the plan is to complete the final round at its regularly scheduled time late Sunday afternoon.

Justin Thomas currently has a one-shot lead over Brooks Koepka and Rory McIlroy through five holes of the third round.

The leaders will have to play 30 holes on Sunday as they vie for the FedExCup title and the richest prize in golf history – $15 million.


DON’T MISS THESE STORIES: Rounding Up the Top Headlines


WHAT’S ON TAP IN THE SPORTS WORLD


Little League World Series Championship Game: Louisiana vs. Curacao
Louisiana will be playing in its first-ever Little League World Series title game on Sunday, where they will play the international champion Curacao.
WHEN: Today, 3 p.m. ET
TV: ABC

PGA TOUR: FedExCup Playoffs – The TOUR Championship
The dramatic conclusion to the FedExCup Playoffs will take place on Sunday and to the winner will go the largest prize in golf history – $15 million.

With play being suspended due to inclement weather on Saturday, the third round will resume at 8 a.m. ET, followed by the final round. Justin Thomas holds a one-shot lead over Brooks Koepka and Rory McIlroy through five holes of the third round.

WHEN: Today
SCHEDULE:
8 a.m. ET (Golf Channel) – Conclusion of third round
12-1:30 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
1:30-6 p.m. ET (NBC)

NFL Preseason: Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans
The third week of preseason football concludes tonight with a primetime matchup featuring Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers taking on Marcus Mariota and the Titans.
WHEN: Tonight, 8 p.m. ET
TV: NBC

Missed Yesterday’s Roundup? Click here for it.