FOX Sports radio host Doug Gottlieb shared a polarizing opinion on Twitter Saturday night in the wake of Andrew Luck’s decision to suddenly retire at the age of 29, and Utah Jazz star guard Donovan Mitchell defended the retiring Indianapolis Colts quarterback.
Luck is retiring due to the physical pain and mental tax associated with multiple recoveries from injury in his seven-year NFL career, but he was criticized by Gottlieb and others when the news broke on Saturday evening. Colts fans attending their team’s preseason matchup against the Chicago Bears did not take Luck’s news well, booing the now-former QB off the field as Luck, in street clothes, walked into the tunnel with his teammates.
Responding to Gottlieb’s comments calling Luck a “millennial,” a derogatory claim here based on perceived laziness around the generation, the 22-year-old Jazz star sarcastically tweeted back:
Ahhh right! I forgot you used to play football Doug so you can relate 🤦🏾♂️😒 https://t.co/v9RfRPyKBF
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) August 25, 2019
Mitchell, currently with Team USA preparing for the FIBA World Cup, quote tweeted a video of fans booing Luck:
Y’all really boo’d him for making a decision concerning his own safety! Shame on y’all man 😒Praying for nothing but blessings for you my brotha 🙏🏾 https://t.co/pW8nJ9bAYV
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) August 25, 2019
Mitchell also called out a fan who criticized Luck by saying all the money he has made the decision an easy one:
I pray for you if that’s your reasoning… also my man left 58 MILLION dollars on the table to retire… so try again https://t.co/6X4kdoG45s
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) August 25, 2019
Mitchell is never afraid to speak his mind on matters. He recently wrote “End Gun Violence!” on his sneakers for a Team USA exhibition game. With USA Basketball missing many big-name players this summer, Mitchell is one of a few players who can rise to the occasion and be a leader while representing his country.