This one hurts, even if you're not a Carolina Panthers fan. Luke Kuechly is one of the best, if not the best linebacker in all of the NFL. He's 28 years old. He's a monster on the field, and a great guy off the field. He was just nominated to his 7th Pro Bowl, but at the age of 28 he has decided to call it quits in the NFL and retire. You'd have to think that the impact of concussions, and the long term affects have to have played a part in the decision to retire. Luke said, “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.”
From all of us Panther's fans, and fans of the game, we have to tip our cap and say thank you to Luke for your play on the field, and for your work off the field as well.