Continue to see the Top 5 greatest Carolina Panthers of all-time…
As the future of the Panthers came in with the 2018 NFL Draft, let’s take a moment to appreciate the past legacy of players that made the Carolina Panthers who they are.
In an era where analysts throw out the word “elite” and the phrase “greatest of all time,” it seems that everyone is “elite” or has a shot to be the “greatest of all time.” That word and that phrase have been completely devalued.
However, it is completely logical to dub a handful of players as “elite” and a single player as the G.O.A.T. Let’s take a look at the greatest 5 players of the Panthers. The most elite players and a single G.O.A.T. First up, none other than a familiar face.
Luke Kuechly, LB
This player is currently one of the most recognized and respected players in the National Football League. With an impeccable record both on and off of the football field, many general managers and coaches search for the next “Luke Kuechly.”
Luckily for the Carolina Panthers, they already have the original Luke Kuechly. His leadership has been rock solid and has helped to create one of the most feared linebacker cores in the National Football League. His statistics over the past few years have been terrifying. Just look at the following table by Pro Football Reference.
Also, Kuechly has also been Defensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, named to the First-Team All-Pro four times, been named to five Pro Bowls, and… you get the picture. Kuechly has been a defensive monster since he’s entered the league, and for that reason, he’s fifth on this list.
Also, fans of the Carolina Panthers get to scream LUUUUUUUKE as loud as humanly possible every time he does anything remotely cool. How awesome is that?
Cam Newton, QB
Cam Newton has transformed the Carolina Panthers’ franchise. After being selected number one overall, Newton has proved himself worthy of such a draft pick by carrying the Panthers to a 15-1 season, a Super Bowl appearance, several playoff wins, and an MVP season.
However, Newton is so much more than just a stat line. Newton has shifted the very culture of the city of Charlotte and given it a new heartbeat. A few lines from the Charlotte Observer shows this terrific accomplishment.
"When Newton first came to Charlotte, he noticed something he wanted to change. He was struck by how many car flags or magnets supported other NFL teams. He’d see a Washington team magnet or a Steelers flag and wondered why he didn’t see more Panthers black and blue. He wanted to help unify Charlotte. Now, Newton and his teammates are making that happen. “When I’m rolling home,” Newton said last week, “and I see cars lined up for the team store, that’s how it’s supposed to be. And hopefully it’s going to be like that for a long time here.”"
Additionally, his catchy dance moves, flashy attire, and generous donations of footballs has given the city of Charlotte new life. Newton deserves serious credit for the cultural shift in the city of Charlotte.
Steve Smith, WR
Despite his bridge-burning exit from Carolina, Steve Smith is single-handedly responsible for carrying Carolina to their first Super Bowl appearance. His running back-like ability to truck over defenders after the catch made him a sensation in Carolina. Also, he was a part of the vital offense that put Carolina in their very first Super Bowl.
Catching passes from Jake Delhomme, Smith was a top-tier receiver in the league. His rough playing style helped to establish a franchise looking for an identity. His fiery spirit and play helped to define the toughness that has become standard in Carolina.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video has to be worth a million. Roll the tape.
Julius Peppers, a Carolinian native, future Hall of Famer, and one of the most feared defenders in the history of the National Football League. It’s necessary that people understand the insane level of sustained productivity that Peppers has had. According to ESPN, Peppers spent 8 years with the Panthers before signing with the Chicago Bears. After the Bears, Peppers allied with the Green Bay Packers for three years. As a final chapter of his career Peppers is signing one-year deals with Carolina in hopes of a championship season. Despite all of his accomplishments, Pepper’s first ring has been extremely elusive.
That doesn’t take anything away from Pepper’s productivity though. When scanning his stat lines, there’s nothing that doesn’t suggest extreme productivity at a high level. Peppers has played at an extremely high level for years and continues to be in a deadly defensive end rotation.
Even last year, in his 16th season, Peppers recorded a stunning 11 sacks, and that was in a limited rotation due to his age. A symbol of sustained leadership, Peppers secures himself as not only a Panthers’ great, but as an all-time player.
Sam Mills, LB
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Ever wondered where the Panthers’ motto of #KeepPounding comes from? Meet Sam Mills. A 5-foot-9 linebacker, many considered him to be too short to be productive in the NFL. He proved everyone wrong. Despite being unable to enter the league until the age of 27, Mills still had a strong 12-year career.
His numerous accomplishments with the Panthers cannot be understated. Below is a very, very condensed list of all of his impacts on the Carolina Panthers.
- Helped the seal the very first win of the Carolina Panthers
- Was a veteran leader on a team trying to establish an identity
- Created the motto of Keep Pounding for the Carolina Panthers during a speech that encouraged his former team to defeat the Dallas Cowboys
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Mills’ profound impact on the Panthers has been impressively powerful. It is possible that no other players have had such influence on a franchise. For this reason, Mills is the G.O.A.T. of the Carolina Panthers.