“I think now is the right chance for me to move on,” the linebacker explained. The particularly jarring nature of his injury has spawned a thousand different opinions about the All-Pro linebacker's future in the NFL but on Wednesday, Kuechly made it clear that playing football was still in his best interest. He was the epitome of mental and physical toughness in a sport that required giving all of one's mind and body, year-round. Luke Kuechly has announced his decision to retire from the NFL after eight seasons playing inside linebacker for the Panthers. In regular-season play, Kuechly racked up 1,092 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 18 interceptions. He made clear in his retirement announcement that his decision to retire has "nothing to do with" the team's decision to hire Matt Rhule as its next head coach. When Kuechly went down then, he struggled to catch his breath from the shock of the hit, which came from tackling Saints running back Tim HIghtower late in the fourth quarter. And after some time to let the decision sink in, the former Panthers All-Pro linebacker appears to be at … At this point, it does not seem worth it to cave no matter how much Kuechly wants to play. He also was named Defensive Rookie of the Year after being drafted No. I still want to play but I don’t think it’s the right decision.”, HAISLOP: Luke Kuechly can find comfort in retirement knowing he’s the best player in Panthers history. Rhule is reportedly bringing LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady with him to the NFL ranks as Brady will be the team's offensive coordinator next season. Luke Kuechly stunned the NFL when he announced his retirement in January at the age of 28. 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 little kid. He has suffered three officially diagnosed concussions during his career and has worn an experimental collar, which theoretically could reduce the risk of concussions, on the field. The memories I have from this place and this organization and playing on the field with these guys — they’ll never go away. The question arrived Monday to Stephen Jones, who remained firm in his belief in Mike McCarthy. Here's the video statement in its entirety: “In my heart, I know it’s the right thing to do.” pic.twitter.com/mSDyJ0iEMw. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. Panthers star explains his decision to end NFL career, on Why did Luke Kuechly retire? record for total tackles the next year and, as a junior, took home the Butkus Award, the Lombardi Award, and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. © Copyright 2020 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. Kuechly hangs up his helmet as a seven-time Pro Bowler, five-time first-team NFL All-Pro. Although he continued to play at a high level in his final season in 2019, past injuries took their toll. 9 overall out of Boston College in 2012. The two-time All-American then declared for the NFL draft; the Carolina Panthers selected him ninth overall in 2012. Kuechly said he appreciated the concern when asked specifically about a Bleacher Report piece that quoted anonymous NFL players imploring Kuechly to sit out the remainder of the season and consider retirement. The first of the concussions in September 2015 caused him to miss three games. Jets coach Adam Gase has been pestered for weeks about giving up play-calling. Seeing Kuechly slow down and play at half speed wouldn't have been right and that's not the way he wanted to be remembered as a player, either. Rhule was hired in early January to replace Ron Rivera, who was fired toward the end of the 2019 season. Kuechly also had multiple shoulder surgeries. He also had three known concussions from 2015 through 2017. Before Kuechly burst on the scene in 2012, the NFC's premier inside linebacker was the 49ers' Patrick Willis. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, piling up 164 total tackles and winning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, the Carolina Panthers have been retooling their coaching staff. I think even last year is kind of the same as this year. At the time, no one realized how dominant of a force he would become. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck, who announced his decision to walk away from the Colts in August. Rivera has seen a handful of players go in and out of concussion protocol this season including star quarterback Cam Newton. 9 pick in the 2012 NFL draft. DK Metcalf is a freak of nature. In a stunning move Tuesday night, the Carolina Panthers linebacker and former NFL defensive player of … The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. On Sunday, he changed his mind.Â. A couple things haven't gone our way this year but I really do enjoy watching Shaq (Thompson) and A.J. Kuechly, 28, exits the game having left nothing on the table, playing his entire career for coach Ron Rivera, a former linebacker. The only reason Kuechly gave for his sudden retirement was that he seemed to feel he had lost a step, a bit of a surprise considering he was a second-team All Pro this season. MORE: NFL players react to Luke Kuechly's abrupt retirement. It's my favorite thing in the world to do. The linebacker enrolled at Boston College and, after Mark Herzlich’s cancer diagnosis, found himself in the starting lineup. There is still no word on whether the Panthers (6-8) will employ Kuechly's services over the final two games of the season. 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 little kid. In a video lasting more than three minutes, Kuechly explained the rationale behind his decision. “It makes me sad because I love playing this game, I’ve played it since I was a kid. Kuechly is only 28-years-old and had a strong 2019 campaign. I’ve thought about it a lot. Real life, however, doesn’t work that way. Just let it get better and then go from there. There's only one way to play this game since I was a little kid — play fast, play physical, play strong  And at this point, I don't know if I am able to do that anymore. Luke Kuechly is walking away from the NFL at 28. Here's what to watch for on Monday Night Football when the Chicago Bears take on the Los Angeles Rams. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. From the last, in October 2017, he was able to clear protocol and play the next week. “That’s the part that’s most difficult. Luke Kuechly, NFL star with history of concussions, retires aged 28. The first of the concussions in September 2015 caused him to miss three games. I've thought about it a lot. He also helped lead the Panthers to an NFC championship in ’15, before the team lost to the Broncos in Super Bowl 50. He'd refused to do so. "I know you appreciate those guys who want what is best for you and it's a thing we'll learn more about," Kuechly told reporters Wednesday. The memories I have from this place and this organization and being on the field with these guys—they'll never go away.". © 2020 ABG-SI LLC. “It’s a tough decision. This most recent time -- just like the last time -- everyone said 'you're good to go'. He also had three known concussions from 2015 through 2017. OBJ suffered a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season, Ian Rapoport and Kim Jones report.Â. Luke Kuechly is walking away from the NFL at 28. Although he continued to play at a high level in his final season in 2019, past injuries took their toll. Sporting News covered that Thursday night home game against New Orleans in which Kuechly suffered his scariest head injury, silencing the crowd and creating a somber mood for his teammates. Why did Luke Kuechly retire? Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly was cleared from concussion protocol a little less than a week ago, but we did not see him on the field against Washington on Monday night. The memories I have from this place and this organization and playing on the field with these guys — they'll never go away. Luke Kuechly has announced his decision to retire from the NFL after eight seasons playing inside linebacker for the Panthers. It's my favorite thing in the world to do. And at this point, I don’t know if I am able to do that anymore.”. Home » NFL » Why did Luke Kuechly retire? Those guys, along with Thomas have made some big plays in games that have helped us win.". However, despite Kuechly’s myriad accomplishments, the most enduring single … He was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 and first-team All-Pro five times. "(Rivera) said you're not going to play this week, and then we'll kind of go on from there," Kuechly said. © 2020 NFL Enterprises LLC. For the long-time fearless defensive leader of the Panthers, having the strength to walk away was as courageous as anything he did so well on the field. "I think now is the right chance for me to move on," Kuechly said. He finally did so on Jan. 14. The worst, however, was the middle one, a Grade 3 concussion in November 2016 that cost him the final six games of that season. "That's the part that's most difficult. I'm excited whenever the opportunity is but I'm holding that retirement word for a little ways down the road so it's something you appreciate everyone's concern but whenever my opportunity comes back, I'll be back out there.". Rivera cheered at hospital as treatments finish, Jeff Garcia’s white mediocrity on full display in dumb Cam Newton comments, Ron Rivera completes last round of cancer treatment, KU’s de Sousa opts out, citing ‘personal issues’, Minnesota Lynx select Australian guard Tahlia Tupaea in 2017 WNBA Draft, Basketball shock: Brett Brown quits Boomers, Who will be World Series MVP? No matter what else changed around the NFL, Kuechly remained constant; he would post over 100 tackles, pull down a few interceptions, and play elite all-around defense. This decision has nothing to do with new coaches and Coach (Matt) Rhule. Kuechly retired three months short of his 29th birthday on April 20. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. In an ideal world, NFL retirements would work like the end of Rudy, with a triumphant player being carried off the field following one final game.

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