Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly announces retirement

Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly just announced that he’s walking away from football.

Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly just announced that he’s walking away from football in a video shared by the team. Watch.

Kuechly was a first-round pick by Carolina in the 2012 draft. He’s been one of the best and most consistent defenders in the league since that selection. In 118 games, he’s totaled a remarkable 1,092 combined tackles. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time First Team All-Pro.

Kuechly’s legacy is literally still being written, but he should be remembered as one of the top-two linebackers of this era at the very least. Stunning.

This is obviously a sad day for Kuechly, his fans and everyone else involved. What matters above all is his life. Kuechly suffered several concussions during his career and if he’s putting his long-term health at risk by continuing to play then this is ultimately for the best.

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