The Lion's Den: Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers superstar linebacker, announces retirement at 28

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers superstar linebacker, announces retirement at 28

(CNN)Former NFL defensive player of the year, Luke Kuechly, a star linebacker for the Carolina Panthers, announced his retirement from pro football in a video statement Tuesday.

"For me, now is the right opportunity to move in a different direction," Kuechly, a five-time, first-team All-Pro, said. "There's only one way to play this game since I was a little kid is to play fast and to play physical and to play strong, and at this point I don't know that anymore."

Fighting back tears, Kuechly said, "And that's the part that the most difficult is I still want to play, but I don't think it's the right decision."

Kuechly, 28, played eight seasons for the Panthers after a collegiate career at Boston College.

In his NFL career, Kuechly was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012, the Defensive Player of the Year in 2013, and the 2017 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award winner.

"He's been in the middle of it all for the last eight years," the team tweeted. "No one did it better."

Since 2012 no NFL player had more tackles that Kuechly, who had 1,092.

Former Panthers coach Ron Rivera tweeted: "I had the privilege of playing next to HOF #MikeSingletary & coaching HOF (Brian Urlacher) @BUrlacher54 & @LukeKuechly is worthy of that honor someday. But more important I will remember Luke's sense of humor, his leadership & 4 being a great teammate."

Luke August Kuechly is a former American football linebacker who played all eight seasons of his professional career with the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Panthers ninth overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. Wikipedia

Born: April 20, 1991 (age 28 years), Cincinnati, OH

Total tackles: 1,092

Defensive touchdowns: 2

Spouse: Shannon Reilly

Sacks: 12.5

Pass deflections: 67

Stats

Game	COMB	AST	Sack	SFTY	INT	YDS

12/29 vs Saints	6	2	0.0	0	-	-

12/22 @ Colts	7	1	0.0	0	-	-

12/15 vs Seahawks	17	9	0.0	0	-	-

Regular Season	144	63	0.0	-	2	26

Career (2012-2019)	1,092	402	12.5	-	18	153