Carolina Panthers all-time Mount Rushmore

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 12: Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball after a catch in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Bank of America Stadium on January 12, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 03: Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers tackles Tajae Sharpe #19 of the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on November 03, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

Carolina Panthers Mount Rushmore: LB Luke Kuechly

It was a move earlier this year that caught many surprised. After eight NFL seasons, linebacker Luke Kuechly opted for retirement. His thoughts on the decision came via a statement (courtesy of Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today).

"I think now is the right chance for me to move on. 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. In my heart I know it’s the right thing to do… There’s only one way to play this game since I was a little kid – play fast, play physical and play strong. And at this point I don’t know if I am able to do that anymore."

Play it he did. He finished with at least 100 tackles each year. And that included 2016 when he was limited to 10 games. The 2012 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year became the 2013 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

There were seven Pro Bowl invitations and five All-Pro nods. The former Boston College standout will be missed in a big way but he made an amazing impression in a relatively short time.

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