Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Keuchly retires at age 28

Announced today. As a Panthers fan it sucks but I can't blame him. He probably doesn't want to end up with CTE trying to suck start a shotgun in 15 or 20 years. Arguably the best LB in the game for the past 8 years. It's not a good sign for football going forward with star players retiring early, especially with his history of concussions.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28486171/panthers-lb-luke-kuechly-announces-retirement-28

It’s just our year long plan to draft Trevor Lawrence. Bring on 0-16!

I'm in full support of that!

You heard it here, first!

Our receiving corps sucks, Cam sucks, our O-line has gone down the drain, and now the heartbeat of our defense is retiring. New head coach, time to rebuild. Free up some cap space, take a schit in 2020, and start fresh. Super Bowl champs in 2023.

Had I been able to bank a few million by age 28, you can bet your sweet bippy I'd be retired.

Hope it ain’t too late.

Aaron Hernandez’s brain was Swiss cheese by the time he was 27.

He's has a history of back to back concussions. Wish him well.

Guys with a history of concussion should retire early. Look at Jordan Reed....what has staying in got him over the last 4 years? Get out while they can still enjoy life.

Even though I don't follow the Panthers, I always loved the Keuchly played. At his height, he was all over the field making stops everywhere. Always seemed like a really good guy who played the game right. Pro football is a tough sport to have a long career, but I think Luke will do just fine in the next phase of his life.

I can't imagine what football is going to be like in 20 to 30 years. It will either be on the brink of death or it will look way different (like no tackling at all different). Junior Seau committed suicide at age 43 and had CTE. Mike Webster had a tough go of it in his post football years. And I can't imagine what Ben Roethlisberger or Tom Brady is going to look like in 20 to 30 years (if they're even alive). Roethlisberger got the snot beat out of him his entire career, and I wouldn't wish his future fate upon my worst enemy.

Any damage to Hernandez’s brain was bound to be minor.

The Keuchlys lived on my Dad's street on the north side of Cincinnati.

Been a Panthers fan since they came in the league and a Keuchly fan since he was drafted. Sorry to see him go but understandable. Figured he'd retire when he had missed multiple games a few years ago due to concussions. Seemed to have lost a little after that. I guess Olson will retire too soon. Hope they can protect McCaffery or he'll leave early too. Cam should've been gone years ago IMO, never was a fan.

According to spotrac.com he's made just south of 64 million in 8 years.

Saw an interview with Keuchly. Said if he could find a way to make a living trout fishing thats what he would have done.

It sure was fun watching Luke play. Every kid dreams of being able to play like he did. I’d like to see him go into coaching.

Reminds me of Barry Sanders hanging them up after just 10 years with Detroit. He could have written his own contract, but just walked away at the height of his career. He seems very happy and content however, and is still healthy at 51.

His decision is entirely reasonable. Not many, if any, linebackers have ever had 8 years of play at the highest level as he has had. He gave more to the Panthers than anyone. Peppers and Smith right there with him. Money in the bank. Good health. God bless this good guy.