Luck’s father, Oliver, told Clark it’s just how they raised their son, to be polite. “My wife and I raised all four of our kids with appropriate values, with respect for other people and to be kind and generous and I guess that carried over to the football field.”

You probably don’t expect Andrew Luck to be much of a trash talker.

However, that depends on your definition of trash talk.

The Indianapolis Colts quarterback is mild-mannered and often complimentary, which aimed at someone trying to knock your head off, can be quite disarming — and effective.

Kevin Clark of the Wall Street Journal interviewed 12 players, who have sacked or at least hit Luck since he entered the NFL three seasons ago. Each said the words out of Luck’s mouth are akin to what you’d expect from an encouraging elementary school teacher.

“In all the years I’ve played football I have (never) heard anything like it,” said Washington Redskins linebacker and former Purdue standout Ryan Kerrigan. “Nothing even close.”

Writes Clark:

When New England pass rusher Rob Ninkovich pulverized Luck last month in a Patriots’ 42-20 win, he got the customary congratulations. As Ninkovich tells it, he found himself paralyzed with confusion by the well-wishes, so he blurted out “Thanks for…uh…accepting that hit?” before running back to the huddle.

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