There are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who have ties to the Carolina Panthers, but until last night, not a single one had been drafted by the organization. North Carolina's very own, Julius Peppers, changed that.
Peppers was a surefire first ballot Hall of Famer. He's one of the greatest pass rushers/sack artists in the history of the NFL - someone who was at the top of his position in the league essentially from his first snap to his last.
It just so happens that there's another Panther legend waiting in the wings for his call to the hall, which he could also receive in his first year on the ballot - Luke Kuechly. The former Panther linebacker is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2025, alongside Eli Manning, Marshawn Lynch, Clay Matthews III, and Adam Vinateri.
Kuechly's time in the league was cut short out of precaution. He suffered three known concussions in three seasons, but never labeled that as the reason he ultimately decided to walk away from the game following the 2019 season. In his eight-year career, Kuechly more than made a name for himself. He became the heart and soul of the Panthers' defense.
What made Kuechly so special was how instinctual he was. There are plenty of clips out there on the interwebs of Kuechly calling out exactly what play or route a team was set to run before the ball was snapped. He lived in the film room. And I'd be willing to bet, he probably knew the opposing team's scheme better than those that were actually on the team. Players like Luke Kuechly don't come around all that often, mainly because they have to be created in a lab.
For a player that registered 1,092 tackles, 75 tackles for loss, 66 passes defended, 31 QB hits, 18 interceptions, 12.5 sacks, nine fumble recoveries, seven forced fumbles, seven Pro Bowls, and five All-Pro selections, one would have to think he'll get that knock on his door next year too.
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