Posted on 01/14/2020 7:59:00 PM PST by nickcarraway
Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, fighting back tears in a video posted on social media, announced on Tuesday night his plans to retire from the NFL at age 28.
"There's only one way to play this game since I was a little kid -- play fast, play physical and play strong,'' Kuechly said. "And at this point I don't know if I am able to do that anymore. That's the part that is the most difficult.''
Kuechly paused to gather his emotions.
"I still want to play, but I don't think it's the right decision,'' he continued. "I thought about it for a long time. Now is an opportunity to step away with what's going on here.''
Kuechly didn't explain exactly why he can't play fast, physical and strong at this point in his career. What is known is that from 2015 to '17, the 2013 NFL Defensive Player of the Year missed seven games due to concussions.
NFL responds to Luke Kuechly's surprise retirement at age 28 He wore an experimental device named the "Q Collar'' around his neck the past three seasons; the inventor claimed it reduced the risk of concussions. Kuechly was last officially ruled out for a concussion after he was carted off the field in tears during a Thursday night game in 2017. He did miss time during training camp for an undisclosed injury, but he later insisted that wasn't a concussion.
Kuechly said his final farewell from his favorite place besides the field, the linebackers' room at Bank of America Stadium where he watched countless hours of film to be one of the best linebackers in the NFL.
"I think now is the right chance for me to move on," Kuechly said. "It makes me sad because I love playing this game, I've played it since I was a kid. It's my favorite thing in the world to do. The memories I have from this place and this organization and being on the field with these guys -- they'll never go away.''
Notable Early NFL Exits
Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly is the latest NFL player to join the list of surprising early retirements because of worries over football-related injuries.
AGE LAST SEASON
Luke Kuechly 28 2019
Rob Gronkowski 29 2018
Andrew Luck 29 2018
Doug Baldwin 30 2018
Chancellor 30 2017
Calvin Johnson 30 2015
Patrick Willis 30 2014
Jake Locker 26 2014
Chris Borland 24 2014
Former Carolina coach Ron Rivera, who selected Kuechly out of Boston College with the ninth pick of the 2012 draft, expressed to ESPN.com via text that it was good Kuechly gets to "go out on his own terms.''
"One of the really good, young men to play the game, and I am proud to be able to say I got to coach him,'' wrote Rivera, now the head coach of the Washington Redskins.
Rivera was fired with four games left in the regular season, and Baylor coach Matt Rhule recently was hired to replace him. Kuechly said his decision had nothing to do with the coaching change.
Owner David Tepper praised the "tremendous impact'' Kuechly has had on the organization.
"In my two seasons with Luke, I quickly recognized how special of a person he is,'' Tepper said in a statement. "The respect he gives and garners from others as well as the positive impact he has on his peers is second to none.
"It's obviously going to be very difficult for all of us because we know that no player can replace what he's been for this organization for the last eight years. His presence can't be replicated."
Tight end Greg Olsen was one of many teammates who expressed how they felt about Kuechly on Twitter.
Kuechly recently pulled out of the Pro Bowl, his seventh in eight NFL seasons. Nicknamed a "tackling machine'' at Boston College, he finished his NFL career with 1,092 tackles, the most by any player since 2012.
But what made Kuechly one of the best all-around linebackers in the league was his versatility. His 18 interceptions are the most by a linebacker in the league since 2012 and the third most in franchise history. His 75 tackles for loss are tied for fifth among linebackers during that span.
Two plays he'll be remembered for were interceptions returned for touchdowns in the playoffs against Seattle and Arizona en route to Super Bowl 50.
Whenever he made a tackle, fans in the stands shouted, "Luuuuuke.''
"While I wish we could have him for many more years, he has done everything the right way and we respect the decision that he's made,'' Tepper said. "Luke is a once-in-a-generation player and someone we want every member of this organization to emulate.''
The Panthers certainly aren't going to another Super Bowl any time soon. Probably not even a post season appearance for a while. Why get killed week after week for a lost cause?
But the sh*tty way Tepper fired Ron Rivera probably made Luke's decision easier.
Great player, and sounds like a great guy.
But he definitely suffered quite a number of concussions.
He realizes that all the money in the world isn’t going to help when he has to eat soup through a straw at 60. Good on him.
My kids play football. They love it.
Wouldd you follow Cam Newton into battle?
You go ahead and defend this clear as day head hunt. This is good for football? The Eagles would have won.that game with Wentz not taken out by this thug...who just happened to do the exact same thing to Nick Foles a few years back. He's a thug thug thug. And he stinks.
Nobody ever said you had to sacrifice your body for however many years. I fully get these guys, think they have the right idea.
You should be mad at Roger Goodell. He's the one who instilled the class system in the refs. QBs for the Patriots, Steelers, Ravens, Seahawks, and Drew Brees get protected. It's a penalty if they get breathed on. But QBs for the Eagles, 49ers, Cardinals, and most the other teams it's hit or miss.
It was the same for Patrick Willis. Once the despicable idiot Jed York fired Harbaugh, Willis decided to retire.
You didn’t say defensive lineman.
That's one trend, the other is players playing much longer. Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers, Frank Gore, Andrew Whitworth, John Denney, Josh McCown, Eli Manning. In a few years, there could be 25 players over 40.
I did watch it. It was a bang bang play in real time. Nobody even noticed it at the time … the refs, the fans, the commentators. NOBODY. But, show it in super slow mo 5000 times and it looks like there was all the time in the world to avoid it. Even Wentz originally shrugged it off, and played several more downs, including downs where he made a minimum of 3 reads. Get a life and drop it.
Russell Wilson gets cheap hits all the time, including in the Eagles game where an Eagle was in the backfield before the snap and took Wilson to the ground with his body. Instead of unnecessary roughness, he just got an offsides penalty. I used to like the Eagles, a lot, but the Eagles fans are now pissing me off with all their wah wah wah we would have won if Wentz had not gotten hurt. Tell their QB that if he does not want to get hurt, then learn to slide. He was not giving himself up, he was getting tackled, and Clowney was trying to make sure he did not get extra yards.
Dude! At the risk of interrupting your rant. I believe the poster was referring to Jadeveon Clowney when he remarked about “thug lineman.”
Batteries were thrown at Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Dave Parker — and that didn’t happen in Philadelphia.
St. X grad, NFL All-Pro Kuechly finishes college degree
Good call, Mr. Kuechly, and very best wishes for your future!
“That’s one trend, the other is players playing much longer. Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers, Frank Gore, Andrew Whitworth, John Denney, Josh McCown, Eli Manning. In a few years, there could be 25 players over 40.”
I disagree. I think once the current crop of 40-ish QB’s retire that you’re not going to see anymore QB’s have careers much beyond 32. The running QB is always 1 hit away from forced-retirement. We’re seeing the last of the greats in terms of career passing stats.
“I used to like the Eagles, a lot, but the Eagles fans are now pissing me off with all their wah wah wah we would have won if Wentz had not gotten hurt. Tell their QB that if he does not want to get hurt, then learn to slide. He was not giving himself up, he was getting tackled, and Clowney was trying to make sure he did not get extra yards.”
This Eagles fan agrees with you. Wentz needs to lean to slide around the pocket and get rid of the ball. He needs to cut down on the runs to the 1 or 2 drives where it really matters — instead of the 4 to 6 scrambles per game. And he needs to learn to slide.
Give me a Rothlesberger-type QB who stays in the pocket, has a quick release. He doesn’t even have to be as good as Big Ben. If my O-line can keep him standing up thru 16 games then I bet I’ll have a better record than if I only had Wentz for 12 and is backup for the other 4. — Nick Foles Rant OFF.
Money’s no good, if you’re not in any physical condition to enjoy life.
Oh Nooooo!
LUUUUUKE!
Aw, man!
Do what you gotta do and good luck in your future.
I will still wear your jersey with pride. You played the game like it should be played. Thanks for showing the way.
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