Tag: announcement

Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, longtime Saints rival, retires at 28

Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly shocked the New Orleans Saints and the NFL with an announcement of his retirement from football.

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Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly announced his retirement Tuesday evening in a video shared from the official Panthers Twitter account, sending a shockwave throughout the NFL. His decision to step away from the game at 28 carries huge ramifications for the New Orleans Saints, the Panthers themselves, and every other team in the NFC South.

It’s been a big day for the Panthers, who reportedly hired former assistant and LSU Tigers coach Joe Brady to work as offensive coordinator underneath new head coach Matt Rhule. But Kuechly’s sudden retirement has to loom largest in Charlotte.

There’s no doubt about it: Kuechly was one of the best players in the NFL over the past decade, totaling 1,092 tackles in 118 games since the Panthers drafted him out of Boston College back in 2012. He’s been selected for seven Pro Bowl games and been named a first-team All-Pro on five different occasions, providing Saints quarterback Drew Brees with a rare opponent who can play chess with him each time they crossed paths thanks to his unique blend of all-world athleticism and natural comprehension of the sport.

When asked to list the toughest opponents he’d ever faced, Kuechly named Brees and Saints running back Alvin Kamara in a 2019 article with The Players’ Tribune; the feeling was mutual between Brees and Saints coach Sean Payton, who talked about Kuechly’s impact on the game at length back in 2018. His loss is going to be felt immediately in Carolina.

Kuechly’s retirement is the latest in a string of early exits from the NFL by young, elite star talent, each of them having cited injuries. Indianapolis Colts franchise quarterback Andrew Luck retired at 30 just last year; Super Bowl hero New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, also 30, bowed out a few months before that. Kuechly has suffered a serious of disquieting concussions over the last few years, and seemed to hint at the lingering impact those brain injuries have left on him in his announcement. Here’s hoping he finds peace in retirement.

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2020 Pro Bowl selection: Time and TV info for roster announcement

Multiple New Orleans Saints players like Drew Brees and Michael Thomas figure to make the cut for the upcoming 2020 Pro Bowl roster.

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Voting has closed for the 2020 Pro Bowl, and the official announcement for rosters from the AFC and NFC will be aired at 8:00 p.m. ET during “NFL Total Access” on NFL Network.

The New Orleans Saints seem to always be well-represented on the Pro bowl roster these days, which makes since given the star power they’ve gathered. Between the NFL’s all-time leader in career touchdown passes in Drew Brees and a contender for the single-season receptions record in Michael Thomas, they’ve got plenty of talent to go around.

Obviously the Saints would rather be preparing for Super Bowl LIV than taking part in this exhibition game. But it’s still an entertaining watch and a big honor for those selected, and something that will come into play during contract negotiations for many pending free agents. The Saints have done a great job of rewarding their homegrown talent, but this is an opportunity for someone like strong safety Vonn Bell (who leads all NFL defenders with five fumble recoveries) to build his reputation and make some money.

Plus, it’s just a fun game. Last year, running back Alvin Kamara got to try his hand on defense and nearly sacked Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson with some real speed off the edge. Where else are you going to see plays like that?

The 2020 Pro Bowl will be played at Camping World Stadium on January 26 at 2:00 p.m. ET, in Orlando, Fla.

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