Luke Kuechly was a former Defensive Player of the Year and perennial probowler.
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NFL All-Pro Linebacker Luke Kuechly announces retirement at the age of 28
- Thread starter Trey
- Start date
Luke Kuechly was a former Defensive Player of the Year and perennial probowler.
I'm a Panthers fan and I'm shocked by this news. But I'm happy for him. Health comes first. Dude did all that he could for the team. He has made bank, they will retire his jersey, a future hall of famer and top 5 all time panther player. Hope he coaches in the future.
Thanks for everything Luke! Wish you got that ring at Superbowl 50.
Thanks for everything Luke! Wish you got that ring at Superbowl 50.
Hope he's saved up money, good for him though. I'd love for Gronk to come back and I'm sure plenty of Panthers will be wishing the same of Luke but these guys destroy their bodies so can't blame them when they decide to hang up the cleats. NFL careers aren't even that long from what I heard so 8 years is still a long time , especially for someone at his position.
28 and he's already a legend as far as I'm concerned. Lived in NC my whole life and if anyone deserves a statue outside the Panthers stadium, it's Kuechly. Dude put his heart and soul into every game. Sad to see him retire but I'm sure he'll probably get into coaching at some point and he's got his whole life ahead of him. No point in risking his body more than he already has.
Also:
Also:
He's the only guy I wanted the Eagles to draft that year. But the Panthers took him before the Eagles did. We got Fletcher Cox, so honestly it worked out for both teams. I knew he was going to be an amazing player and he is.
Good on him for making this decision, it wasn't easy but he's prioritizing his health. At the end of the day, he's happy and healthy.
Ride into the sunset Luke, you're 28. Still got plenty of life left to enjoy!
Good on him for making this decision, it wasn't easy but he's prioritizing his health. At the end of the day, he's happy and healthy.
Ride into the sunset Luke, you're 28. Still got plenty of life left to enjoy!
I feel like this is going to happen more and more that players are retiring young. And it's a wise decision.
He's had a shit ton of concussions that we know of. Hopefully he has a long, healthy post-football life.
Especially players that have a history of concussions like him. The picture a lot of people probably have of him is when he was sitting on the field crying after getting a concussion. That's just not worth it if you've earned enough money to live happily from then on.
Devestating as a Panthers fan, but I wish him the best.
He told his family he would retire if he ever had another concussion but he hasn't had one in a couple of years, so this is surprising.
For someone as good as he was though a career twice that long is much more normal.
He told his family he would retire if he ever had another concussion but he hasn't had one in a couple of years, so this is surprising.
For someone as good as he was though a career twice that long is much more normal.
OP
OP
This "early" retirement has become much more common recently. This, coupled with Marshawn Lynch's words a few days ago of "take care of your body, and take care of your mental," signal how players are starting to view being employed in the NFL.
I suspect younger players retiring - including stars - to become far more commonplace going forward.
I suspect younger players retiring - including stars - to become far more commonplace going forward.
It can be an option for guys like Kuechly that have made a ton of money. That doesn't apply to a majority of the league unfortunately.
Increase the pay for defensive/line players and let them retire early. They get into so many collisions week after week
As a Panthers fan I'm bummed but I'm happy he's looking out for his health. He really should become a coach. His football acumen is insane. He's got a long career ahead of him.
I'm still a bit salty about his retirement even if it was for his health. Although I don't think he was as banged up as Luke had been.
OP
OP
These dudes are dealing with issues no regular person can comprehend. Patrick Willis was a fierce competitor: if he walked away from the game, it was for a damn good reason. Same thing with Luke Kuechly - you can see it plainly in his announcement video.
It really sucks for our defense, but that can't be a consideration when it comes to taking care of one's own body. When I read the news last night, I wasn't shocked by it. He's very concussion-prone, and I understand not wanting to subject yourself to more of that.
Makes perfect sense to me. He was dominant enough to make a case for the HoF somewhere down the line and he has made over 60 million dollars. And the guy still only 28.
Walk away with your wealth and your health and live your best life man. I wish him all the luck in the world.
Walk away with your wealth and your health and live your best life man. I wish him all the luck in the world.
I'm glad for him. Not as devastating of a retirement as Andrew Luck, but pretty high up there. Kuechly has been one of, if not the, best LBs in the game since 2012. I wish him all the best.
Going to be more common with the guys who are superstars early. With all the information out there, it makes no sense to put your brain in a microwave for an extra 5 years just to chase a ring when you've made more money than you can spend in your lifetime.
Arguably the best MLB last decade. Desperately wanted the Giants to trade up for him.
DROY and DPOY. All Pro 5 times. Pro bowler 7 times, did not make the Pro Bowl his rookie year while leading the league in tackles (164). All that in an 8 year career. If Urlacher is in the HoF, so is Kuechly.
DROY and DPOY. All Pro 5 times. Pro bowler 7 times, did not make the Pro Bowl his rookie year while leading the league in tackles (164). All that in an 8 year career. If Urlacher is in the HoF, so is Kuechly.
Got a long future ahead of him as an analyst or a coach if he wants it. Smart decision given his history.. but obviously it's an incredibly painful one for him to have made.
Hate the reaction by so-called fans to these guys retiring "early." Many of the replies to the tweet announcement are repulsive.
Hate the reaction by so-called fans to these guys retiring "early." Many of the replies to the tweet announcement are repulsive.
And your chicken!! 78% of NFL players declare bankruptcy 3 years into retirement.
Yeah, but at the same time...
Imagine retiring at 28 having suffered multiple injuries including god knows how many concussions, and risking brain damage and massively increased risk of neurological problems for the rest of your life, which might end up being a lot shorter than it would have been had you not played football for a living.