Andrew Luck: 'I needed to get away from football'

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has revealed that he took a big break to get away from football after his side's exit from the playoffs in January.

The Colts' season came to an end in the divisional round when they were defeated by the New England Patriots, and Luck admitted that after the rigours of the season he needed a break to recuperate.

"You do have to get away, at least in my mind you do, so I did," he told the club's official website. "I made sure I gave myself a solid month-and-a-half, two months to get back into football shape before starting this voluntary workout session.

"It's something I think I did better this year than last year. Every year, hopefully [I'll] continue to do better in balancing that time. I know getting away from football is as important almost as making sure your mind's fresh and clear as the training aspect."

Luck threw for 3,822 yards along with 23 touchdowns to nine interceptions last season.