FS1 analyst Doug Gottlieb was thoroughly and rightfully dragged for his take on Andrew Luck's sudden retirement from the NFL over the repetitive "cycle of injury, pain, rehab" that took away his joy for the game of football.
Even though Luck never says "too hard" in his speech when describing his numerous rehab stints, Gottlieb quoted those two words to support his "most millennial thing ever" claim.
The most passionate voice on Twitter in defense of Luck didn't come from a millennial, but rather 52-year-old NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman.
That should've been the end of it. If Gottlieb was going to ever discuss this Luck situation again, the only necessary addendum was an apology to the former Indianapolis Colts quarterback for criticizing his reason for walking away from the NFL. Instead, Gottlieb defended himself as a self-proclaimed "smartass" unfurling "snarkasm" that didn't translate on Twitter.
But then, Gottlieb actually tried explaining the thought process behind his supposed "tongue-in-cheek comments" to great detail. "It’s the 'generation me.' Go up and look up the things that define what millennials are," he said on Monday. "They want to work in groups but they do want confirmation and affirmation of their success. They’re willing to move."
Even if Gottlieb's assessment of millennials is correct, how does this desire for "confirmation and affirmation of their success" apply to Luck? He has the Colts' single-season passing yards record, and finished second and third, respectively, for passing touchdowns and yards in his first six seasons in league history. Luck was respected by his opponents and loved by his teammates, but when has he ever sought affirmation for his accomplishments?
"Anyone who hires a millennial will say, 'You know what, it’s kind of amazing, they’re really smart, kind of worldly, they come in, sort of think they know everything, but they’ll get after it and work hard.’ Then they want a raise like two weeks later," Gottlieb says. "That sound like any football players you know? Want a raise as soon as they see any sort of success even though their contract says otherwise?"
OK, what's the name of the millennial that hurt you, Doug, and why are you taking it out on Luck? There are other, far more deserving football players who should be subjected to your millennial vitriol, but Luck isn't the one.
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