Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly has stunned the football world with his announcement that he’s quitting the NFL at 28.
A seven-time Pro Bowler, the Panthers star dropped the bombshell on Tuesday following eight seasons in the league.
As pick No 9 in the 2012 NFL Draft, he is finishing his career as one of America’s top linebackers.
The 1,092 career tackles he made in the NFL are the most by any player since he was drafted. He also made 18 interceptions, 12.5 sacks, 67 pass deflections, 7 forced fumbles, 9 fumble recoveries and 2 defensive touchdowns
The 6ft. 3in., 236-lb linebacker helped the Panthers claim three NFC South titles. He was also in the 2015 team that went all the way to Super Bowl final.
“It’s the right time”
“I think now is the right time for me to move on,” Kuechly said. “It makes me sad because I love playing this game; I’ve played it since I was a kid. It’s my favourite thing in the world to do.
“The memories I have from this place and this organisation and being on the field with these guys – they’ll never go away.
“In my heart I know it’s the right thing to do… There’s only been one way to play this game since I was a little kid – play fast, play physical and play strong. And at this point I don’t know if I am able to do that anymore.”
In praise of Kuechly, Panthers owner David Tepper said: “Beyond his extraordinary performances on the field, Luke has had a tremendous impact on this organisation and this region.
Kuechly is a “special person”
“In my two seasons with Luke, I quickly recognised how special of a person he is. The respect he gives and garners from others as well as the positive impact he has on his peers is second to none.
“It’s obviously going to be very difficult for all of us because we know that no player can replace what he’s been to this organisation for the last eight years. His presence can’t be replicated.”
Kuechly’s standout NFL achievements are many. Here are just some of them.
Along with being a seven-time Pro-Bowler, he has also been named five times as a First-Team All-Pro. This was in 2013-2015, 2017 and 2018.
In 2012 and 2014 he was the NFL’s Tackles Leader and in 2013 he was voted the NFL Defensive Player of the year. A year earlier he had been named Defensive Rookie of the Year.
“In my heart, I know it’s the right thing to do.” pic.twitter.com/mSDyJ0iEMw
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) 15 January 2020