INDIANAPOLIS —Andrew Luck was back in Indianapolis Friday evening, sporting a pair of bright orange Nike Lebron 9 Big Bangs for a good cause.
The Indianapolis Colts quarterback was in town to celebrate the Riley Children's Health Sports Legends Experience at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, which officially opens to the public this weekend.
Luck — along with teammates John Simon and Jack Doyle — were among several guests of honor at Friday night's "Game On Gala," in which those in attendance were encouraged to wear their best sneakers to celebrate the spirit of the Sports Legends Experience, which offers 12 outdoor sports experiences and three indoor exhibits.
"I got a chance to walk around a little bit here earlier — it's not just for kids. It's for 28-year-olds and up," Luck told Colts.com with a laugh. "It's awesome. I've been really fortunate to be involved and try and help out, and it's really, really neat to see all the hard work that so many wonderful people here at the Children's Museum put in come to fruition."
For years, Luck has worked with Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis and their “Change the Play” program, which encourages and challenges kids to make better choices about nutrition and exercise.
The Sports Legends Experience is the perfect example of those principles, Luck said.
"It's trying to take a wholistic view of health and getting outside and making sure you don't stress out too much, sleep well, understand the fuel that you put in your body — how that can affect you," he said. "So it's wonderful to see these great opportunities for kids to go out and move around, but more importantly to have fun. That's what it's all about, and that's what this Children's Museum does a great job of."
Luck himself is anxiously awaiting the chance to exercise with his own Colts teammates come April 9, when the team starts its offseason workout program. It'll be his first chance to take part in any team-related activities since October, when he briefly returned to the practice field after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, only to be shut down to focus on a more intense rehab regimen on Nov. 2.
Since that time, Luck has spent significant time seeking treatment in the Netherlands, and has most recently been working with throwing expert Tom House out in California.
"Oh, it'll be great," Luck said of returning April 9. "I really feel like I've been away from the game of football for a long time — and it's weird. I haven't missed a season since I was in fourth grade until last year. And those are weird things to sort of rectify in your mind, and it certainly is causing a lot of motivation from that to get back and have fun."
Luck said he's been able to catch up with his new head coach, Frank Reich, who has promised to bring the same high-tempo, high-energy offensive system that he used as offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, the reigning Super Bowl champions.
"He seems like a quality, great man and great coach," Luck said of Reich. "I know he had five years here in Indianapolis earlier on, and I think he understand the Colts, I think he has a great vision, and I'm excited to get to work with him."
