ANDERSON –Quarterback Andrew Luck has made it a history to ace almost every test that has come his way, both on and off the field.
One pop quiz caught him in a bind on Saturday evening at training camp at Anderson University. He was asked to sing as part of joining the team.
His choice – John Denver's 1971 classic tune, "Take Me Home, Country Roads."
The result was not as melodic as the original, and evidently not by a country mile.
When asked Sunday for a repeat rendition, with cameras and mikes present, Luck quipped, "No rendition of Country Roads. I was booed off the stage. I picked the song. It's like the only one I know how to sing."
Others would differ, starting with the field general.
"It was awful," smiled Pagano. "I'm glad he's not doing that for a living, because his signing bonus wouldn't have been like the one he got. He gave great effort, though."
"What kind of a singer is he? Awful, horrendous," said wide receiver Austin Collie.
Running back Donald Brown, in the interest of camaraderie and getting the football on Sundays, offered a soften response when asked if he thought his new quarterback could sing, "It's up for debate."
Luck, possibly sensing looming trouble last night, relied on the willing spirit of a particular teammate in case assistance was needed.
"I asked (Pat McAfee, a West Virginia University product) before I went up if he would give me a little help if the boo-birds started coming out," said Luck. "He held up his end of the bargain, and it worked out well."
As for any possible later rookie initiations during camp, Luck said he would comply.
"You have to," laughed Luck. "What else are you going to do? Absolutely, it's all in good fun."
Luck's attitude is healthy and will be somewhat necessary, according to veteran defensive end Cory Redding. Other things may loom as camp unfolds.
"He's a rookie. Everybody, no matter if you are number one or 131, everybody pays their dues in some form or fashion," said Redding. "It's all about just showing respect, coming in humble and knowing that you are a rookie and you've got to learn from the vets and then once you know the ropes and do your thing then you take off running, but you've got to have fun with him. He can't get off the hook just because he's a rookie. It's all about having fun and team chemistry and building and all of those kinds of things. It's all good."
