North Carolina Football: Luke Kuechly Retired from NFL at Age 28
Former Linebacker for New York Giants and Tar Heels Announces Retirement
Kuechly cited health concerns to make the difficult decision
Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly has announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday, January 7th, 2020, at the age of 28. Kuechly was a seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro selection with the Panthers, and he led the NFL in tackles three times.
Kuechly, who played college football at Boston College, was drafted by the Panthers in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He quickly became one of the best linebackers in the NFL, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2012 and being named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons.
Kuechly's career was cut short by a series of concussions. He missed the final six games of the 2016 season with a concussion, and he was placed on injured reserve with another concussion in 2017. Kuechly returned to play in 2018, but he was limited to six games before suffering another concussion.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Kuechly said that he was "retiring from football with a grateful heart." He thanked the Panthers organization, his teammates, and his fans for their support.
Kuechly's Retirement Statement
In his retirement statement, Kuechly said that he had been "blessed to play this game for as long as I have," and that he was "grateful for the opportunities that football has given [him]." He also said that he was "excited about the next chapter in [his] life."
Kuechly's retirement is a major loss for the Panthers and the NFL. He was one of the best linebackers in the league, and he was a key part of the Panthers' success in recent years. He will be missed by his teammates, his fans, and the entire NFL community.
Luke Kuechly's Accomplishments
- NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012)
- 5x First-team All-Pro (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017)
- 7x Pro Bowl (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
- 3x NFL Tackles Leader (2012, 2014, 2015)
- NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
- Carolina Panthers Ring of Honor (2023)
Source: Carolina Panthers Website
Comments