Greg Olsen was a special player, but an even better man

Former Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen has announced his retirement after a glittering NFL career that spanned 14 years.

It was expected, but Greg Olsen has officially hung up his cleats. The prolific tight end spent nine of his 14 years in the league as a member of the Carolina Panthers, producing a level of consistency that was a key contributing factor throughout the team’s success that almost came with an elusive first Super Bowl victory in the 2010s.

Olsen wasted no time in making his presence felt in Carolina following his switch from the Chicago Bears. His supreme ability to catch over the middle under pressure became the security blanket quarterback Cam Newton needed to take his game to new heights, with the pair forming a close bond throughout their respective spells with the franchise.

A prominent leader on the field and in the locker room, when Olsen was firing on all cylinders, then so were the Panthers. This is something Carolina simply didn’t get from Ian Thomas in their first season after the three-time Pro Bowler departed in free agency in favor of a move to the Seattle Seahawks, which played a significant role in Teddy Bridgewater failing to meet expectations.

Greg Olsen meant everything to the Carolina Panthers.

Olsen was an exceptional player.

But he was an even better man.

His selfless nature made him a huge part of the community during his time with the Panthers. Olsen’s charitable efforts are well documented and it takes a special kind of person to give so much back when attention can sometimes stray from such commitments to fully focus on the task of preparing for gameday.

Olsen had absolutely no trouble in that regard.

The Greg Olsen Foundation continues to provide much-need resources for families affected by cancer and cardiovascular diseases. His work supporting the Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital was another outstanding display of compassion and a genuine willingness to make the world a better place.

Just a special, special man.

Aside from Luke Kuechly, one would be hard-pressed to find a more intelligent player that’s ever put on a Panthers’ uniform. This gave him the competitive edge in crucial moments of games, eventually finishing his time in Carolina with 524 receptions, 6,463 receiving yards, 39 touchdowns, and endless memories that will live through the ages.

Players like Olsen can never be truly replaced. Of all the established veterans who departed the Panthers during the 2020 offseason, his presence was one that the team missed more than most.

His boundless enthusiasm and strong will to win was an incredible asset to have in the locker room. Olsen wasn’t shy about being vocal when it was needed and when his time was clearly coming to an end, he became a strong role model for younger players looking to follow in his footsteps.

Olsen’s next move will be to retire as a Panthers before moving onto the next stage of his journey in the FOX studio, where the NFL community will get to see first hand the level of intelligence and love for the game that Carolina’s fanbase is already fully aware of.

Retirement is not the end for Olsen.

It’s the start of a new beginning.

He is arguably the last of the golden generation of tight ends to call it a day. And unlike most, he got to do it on his own terms.

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There will never be another Greg Olsen. And the Panthers will be forever grateful to a player who gave absolutely everything on the field and left a lasting legacy away from the gridiron.