5 former Panthers players you’ve probably forgotten about

Lamar Lathon – OLB

Lamar Lathon was a formidable presence at the second level during his career, which began with the Houston Oilers back in 1990. The Carolina Panthers pulled off a real coup at the time by getting him to join their expansion team in 1995 and there was a lot to like about what he brought to the organization from the outset.

Lathon recorded eight sacks and 70 solo tackles during Carolina’s first-ever campaign in an NFL environment. If this was good, then his level of production the following season was nothing short of sensational.

The former No. 15 overall pick was a relentless force on the edge, recording 13.5 sacks as the Panthers secured an unlikely playoff appearance in only their second season. Lathon also notched 77 tackles and was named to the Pro Bowl for the first and only time of his nine-year stint in the NFL.

Things took a severe decline the following season as the wear and tear on his body began to show. Lathon recorded just two sacks and 55 tackles in 15 games, which was the beginning of the end of his time in Carolina.

Lathon lasted just two games of the 1998 campaign before injury cut short his time on the field and he never played another down in the league after that. It was a short but successful time with the Panthers and his presence within the organization was a huge asset during the start of what has been an eventful 26 years since their inception.