Who is on the Carolina Panthers’ second-tier Mount Rushmore?
By Dean Jones
Thomas Davis – Former Carolina Panthers LB
The Keep Pounding mantra within the Carolina Panthers may have started with Sam Mills, but to say it was continued by Thomas Davis would be something of an understatement. The ferocious linebacker enjoyed a phenomenal career with the organization, coming back from two torn ACLs to become an inspirational figure on and off the field.
Davis was taken in the first-round at No., 14 overall in the 2005 NFL Draft and it didn’t take long for the defender to make his presence felt. His vocal leadership on the field was evident almost from the outset and this was matched by fierce competitiveness that was a key component to the team’s success over his 13 years with the franchise.
His partnership with Luke Kuechly in the mid-2010s was arguably the league’s best at the time and there wasn’t anything the opposition could do to prevent one of them from making a huge stop at any given moment.
Davis’ career stats in Carolina saw him rack up 1,098 tackles, 28 sacks, 87 tackles for loss, 59 quarterback hits, 18 forced fumbles, and 13 interceptions, which also brought one All-Pro selection and three trips to the Pro Bowl.
Perhaps more impressive was the work Davis did within the community, which came with the highly coveted Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2014. He rightfully retired as a member of the Panthers this offseason in an emotional ceremony and his status in team history will live on through the ages.