‘A superhero’: Luke Kuechly’s teammates recall his work ethic and legendary linebacking

The former Carolina Panthers players and staff have shared their memories of the team's star linebacker, Luke Kuechly. Former play-by-play announcer Mick Mixon recalled a memorable encounter with Kuechly during a dinner at Casey Beamer's rehearsal in Georgia. Beamer, the father of Virginia Tech's head coach Frank Beamer, praised Kuechly for his exceptional skills, stating that in his 40 years of coaching, he had only congratulated one player who had significantly impacted a game, and that was Kuechly.

Former defensive coach Al Holcomb highlighted Kuechly's impressive first step, which made it difficult for offensive linemen to block him. Coaches Steve Wilks and Kurt Coleman praised Kuechly's relentless work ethic, noting that he would remain at the team facility long after practice hours, often studying game film. Running back Jonathan Stewart emphasized Kuechly's unwavering effort and dedication, which made him an invaluable teammate.

Holcomb recounted an instance where Coach Ron Rivera had to calm Kuechly down during practice, as he would call out every offensive play, leaving the field quiet and allowing the coach to focus on other matters. Panthers long snapper JJ Jansen recounted three arguments he had with Kuechly during field goal attempts, but emphasized that the linebacker took every aspect of the game, including field goals, just as seriously as offense and defense.

Cornerback Josh Norman praised Kuechly for his willingness to rise to the occasion and challenge himself to be the best he could be. General Manager Dave Gettleman stressed the importance of having big, strong players like Kuechly in front of the defense, which enabled the team to compete. Defensive tackle Kawann Short described Kuechly's ability to anticipate plays accurately, providing his teammates with "cheat codes" to excel in their defensive assignments.

Safety Tre Boston noted that Kuechly elevated the team's mentality, making the defense's fundamentals feel effortless. Wilks described Kuechly as an extension of the team's coaching staff, often providing better guidance than the coaching staff itself. Panthers General Manager Dave Gettleman concluded by referring to Kuechly as "Clark Kent and Superman," highlighting his exceptional abilities on the field and his unique demeanor outside of it.