Who is on the Carolina Panthers’ Mount Rushmore?
By Dean Jones
Luke Kuechly
The Carolina Panthers were dealt a significant blow this offseason when legendary linebacker Luke Kuechly announced his shock retirement due to health concerns. This ends an eight-year spell that ended with the heavy-hitter widely regarded as one of the team’s greatest ever players.
Kuechly was a first-round pick and lived up to his billing from the off. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year after setting the NFL alight, which was swiftly followed by Defensive Player of the Year in just his second season as a professional.
The player quickly became the inspirational leader on defense thanks to his tireless style of play that dragged the team to the cusp of a Super Bowl. While it might have been the right decision for Kuechly to call it a day and avoid further complications down the line. His lack of presence on the roster in 2020 cannot be underestimated.
The legendary figure can look back at his career with absolutely no regrets. He was named No. 10 on Pro Football Focus’ top-101 players of the 2010s and was recently named to the NFL’s All-Decade team of the 2010s.
Kuechly made five first-team All-Pro rosters during his eight seasons in the NFL. He also made second-team All-Pro twice, which is a distinction he earned once again last season.
There is little disputing that Kuechly is more than capable of playing at an elite level for years to come. Health was the overriding factor in his decision to prematurely retire and he is part of a growing number of top-level players who are walking away from the game once they become financially secure.
Kuechly’s time with the Carolina Panthers can be summed up in three words; captain, leader, legend.