The Lions Could Learn a Thing Or Two From the Colts

In the wake of Andrew Luck's abrupt retirement, there has been not one, but two, comparisons to Pro Bowl NFL stars that retired early. Those two happened to be Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson. Both players came from the Detroit Lions, an organization notorious for its sheer ineptitude.

Barry Sanders retired because he was fed up with being on a team that had no intention of winning. Calvin Johnson was also fed up with football, saying that "he wasn't treated the way he should have been" by the Lions. In fact, Johnson repaid $1 million of his signing bonus to the Lions, which shows how disingenuous the organization is.

Fast forward to August 2019, where Luck retires. The Colts decide they will not recoup the $24.8 million owed to Luck, essentially telling him to keep it all. The Lions could learn a thing or two from the Colts here. Both Sanders and Johnson were world-class athletes and people, not getting into much trouble on the field and off. Andrew Luck was the same thing, keeping out of the limelight for most of his career and even being a humble guy on the field.

If the Lions are to make a change in their organization, it isn't just through emulating the New England Patriots. It's also treating their former players and current players alike with dignity. Otherwise, it'll be the "same old Lions".