He Was NFL's Best Defensive Player, Then He Disappeared
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- Luke Kuechly was an absolute force of nature on the Football field.
But In 2019 - at only 28 years old, he suddenly retired. Fans around the world were stunned. Why did a player so talented, so respected, and so integral to his team, just walk away as he’s about to hit his prime?
In just eight seasons of play, he was selected to seven straight Pro Bowls and named First-Team All-Pro five times - punching his sure-fire ticket to the Hall of Fame.
#nfl #linebackers #linebacker #lukekuechly #carolinapanthers
Unfortunately we got smashed by the copyright monster. You will notice some odd jumps from around 3:50-4:10. We do apologize for the inconvenience - hopefully you will still understand how GOOD Luke Kuechly was.😔
Great content! Thank you
Concussions,that`s why he retired.Superb linebacker,one of the best, when he played.He wanted to be able to remember his kids names when and IF he reached 50.Great decision on his part!
I’ve had 13 concussions- been blown up 4 times in Iraq and Afghanistan. I was 100 percent disabled by SS 100 by DOD and 100 by VA and that ain’t no easy feat . Between my PTSD and my TBI’s I’ve been a wreck since I was 43 . We’ve already decided to donate my brain. My only saving grace is whatever life I have left I have a fantastic support system with my wife and dog . Take care of your grape kids it can’t be replaced .
@@johnneill5960Thank you for your service 🇺🇸
Smart man, smart player nothing but Respect man !
He didn't disappear he retired 💯
Exactly!
I'm think'n Barry Sanders, too.
@@michaelinminnsanders retired because he didn’t really want to play anymore. Luke retired so he can remember how to spell his name at the age of 30
Dude is a legend. Good on him for looking out for the long term.
Bro ! You made the right decision! Much love from cowboys nation
Hearing the panthers crowd yell “LOOOOOUUUUUUUUUU” was always badass.
I'm a fan. I'm not disappointed. Long-term health is the #1 priority. Luke was a great player, and I wish him all the best.
I personally like when players retire early. Leave the fans wanting more and remembering you at your best. Good philosophy in life I think.
Based on his production in the 8 years he played in the league, Luke Kuechly should be in the Hall Of Fame period.
TRUTH
he will be eligible in 2025 and should be 1st ballot
you can't reward soft cowards
@@america1st721 shut up, you’re sitting on your coach little hands on your phone resting on your fat gut typing that.
@@america1st721please explain. Your response looks to be as ignorant as it gets
It is difficult to see a great player give up his passion that he has known from childhood.😮😮😮 What a player!!!
In no way is this a tragedy. Kuechely had a fantastic college career, and then played eight outstanding seasons in the NFL. By the way, eight years is a long NFL career.
He made the smart decision to end his career while he was still “healthy”. Hat tip to this man.
Tragic is a strong word but but it is a shame to injury cost him what could have been many more years in the nfl. We might be talking best all time if he had the longevity
It was an absolute pleasure to watch Kuechly play the game! Even as a born and raised Pats fan, I always loved watching Luke on the field! His career at B.C was other worldly! What he did on the field didn't seem possible! Literally racking up video game stat lines that you couldn't match playing Madden on easy! He was the most "can't miss" NFL prospect heading into the draft that I have seen in my lifetime and I was shocked he was on the board at #9 overall! Over FIVE HUNDRED tackles in THREE seasons!!!
It still seems unfathomable to think that his acclimation to the pro game was so seamless! Such an immediate impact for Carolina! He was the total package.... Strong, fast, fluid ,savvy and a work ethic that somehow surpassed his physical ability! I was seriously so struck when he announced his retirement! I obviously respect his decision! You KNOW that so much thought went into such a decision for a man like him! I wish we got to see him play longer but in a shortened career, he literally couldn't have done more for his team and fans of the game! Thanks for all the great memories #59/#40(B.C) ya' fucking dynamo!
He was an absolute BEAST!! The complete package & elite in every aspect.
Panthers fan here...What a pleasure it was to watch this legend play & go about his business.
He put up the best numbers and was always smart about everything he did. Im new to NFL fandom and im respectful to the legendary game. The game is allegory to a lot of things that happen in life.
Saints fan here. Panthers were our rival,but I have great respect for Keuchly. When I saw him sitting on the field crying it scared me. Concussions are no joke. He made a wise decision to retire early. I just pray there is no long term damage.
Dude was smart as much as I miss seeing him play I’m happy he did what he wanted to do him,Patrick Willis and cam chancellor they all went out young but they all made a impact
He didn’t disappear he retired due to concussions
The author uses disappear to draw more views.
He didn't disappear, he retired. He's smart to do so while he still was relatively healthy.
Wow, I just wrote that same thing without even looking at any comments 😱
Best linebacker I’ve seen!!! EVER
He was so dominant and still so young when he retired. Easily the best Linebacker I've seen play. Patrick Willis was great too. I saw Ray Lewis play too, but it was way after his prime. Still a beast tho.
LT
Smart man!
Thank you for all the games i watched,
Even though I’m the Patriots fans and I don’t wanna even go there thank you.
Respect for him walking away and using his smarts for more than just highlights on UA-cam 👏🏻
You know, as a professional Bullrider in the PRCA it’s really tough to “turn out” which means stand down from a rodeo you’re already entered up in and not ride. As a rough stock rider the premise is if you can walk..you can ride. And I only need 8 seconds of air to get my job done. I can relate to every football player in this situation. I had a long career in ride’n Bulls and I wouldn’t trade it for anything but after 19 major surgeries and well over 25 concussions i absolutely get it. Life is relatively hard now after being retired and dealing w the aftermath. Trust me…. I’m not complaining nor do I want sympathy. Just say’n these football players get mad respect from us in pro rodeo and I can simply relate is all.
Peace y’all ✌️🤠🙏
Superman🐐🐐🐐
Luke ... you made the right decision. Congrats.
My favorite player then, and still my favorite player now. I have a signed college jersey that I wear regardless of the signature, that’s how much I proudly honor this amazing player and person!
He retired when the panthers blew up the roster after 2019. He's verbally said he would have stayed at least another year if they had kept the core together. He didn't want to be part of a rebuild and didn't want to play elsewhere. Obviously the concussions were a big part of that decision making process
Can’t be mad at him….very intelligent
Smartest decision he has ever made. 👍
He simply got out before his brain was damaged. Nothing tragic.
He is a hall of fame player for sure.
We see more of this now. Guys do not just keep playing until they cannot any longer.
Center Travis Frederick retired early also.
It's already damaged for sure. It's hopefully only damaged to a manageable level.
My all time favorite.
I was a fan of this outstanding player and then of this outstanding person. He's an great example for younger players playing the game, at any level. Brain injuries are not a part of the game. I never reached anything like this level but played HS and small ball in the 70's. In HS they called it "getting your bell rung" or "taking a nap". Call it what you will, it was a concussion. That's basically a scar on your brain from a brain bleed. In boxing it's called punch drunk and in football it means early onset of dementia and early death.
I'm proud he made the right decision. I hope others pay attention to this.
He stopped because he did his thing. Is a genius. And moved on before his genius brain was taken from him. And he will certainly succeed in whatever he does.
Players like Luke and Barry Sanders should be applauded for their decisions to retire while they still had their faculties.
I'm sure glad I came across this. I had no idea he was from Cincinnati and had a great career at St. Xavier. I'm an Ohio guy and love following Ohio High School sports. St. X is always known as a powerhouse. I didn't know he was star at Boston College. By chance I did see him play in some pro football games. I was awed by his dominance in the games I watched. He was all over the field raising hell. I always wondered what happened to him. Glad he got out early as as he has his whole life in from of him.
He got in , showed out, made money and got out before he beat himself up too bad. He was a dog in highschool here in Cincy. St X always has a decent team.
Shoutout to you for saying my name correctly I rarely get that pleasure that was dope
The Guy was seriously underrated to the point of it becoming criminal. He was probably the smartest D man after Ray Lewis. You could out physique him but not Out Prepare him. I hope he begins coaching soon, i can see him becoming an awesome Defensive Shot Caller.
GREAT PLAYER ... 1ST BALLOT H.O.F EASILY 🙏🙏🙏
Great video. Luke is a very thoughtful young man. He is a big part of our community around Charlotte.
Literal living Legend
smart man good luck you'll do fine!!
He was fun to watch. Glad he retired for his long-term health. That man played hard lol 🙏
Not to take anything away from Kuechly, but when looking at the numbers, you should look at games played, rather than seasons. You have to take into account that Butkus played in shorter seasons. Do the math; 8 16-game seasons actually amount to a couple more games than 9 14-game seasons. I wonder how many total games each played. Sadly, both suffered injuries leading to shortened careers. Also, I don't think most offenses put the ball in the air as much in the old days, so interceptions were probably harder to come by. I think Butkus literally put more fear into other players than anyone I've ever seen. That said, Kuechly is obviously one of the best ever. We're lucky to have been able to watch such talented players, regardless of who was one's favorite. I think Kuechly made the right decision in the end. Too many players haven't and suffered as a result. I hope he lives out his life in good health.
Luke pretty much started the end of Romo's career! That hurts as a Cowboys fan
Smart man
Where was the tragic part? I think he avoided the tragic part by retiring! And that took a lot of courage.
I can’t believe he retired so long ago. It seems like yesterday.
Smart man.
I wish he would go back and be the Panthers defensive coordinator.
Sean Lee and Leighton Vander Esch of the Cowboys come to mind also. Lee kept getting injured and Vander Esch could never get over his bad neck. Some players just have an instinct, but Keuchly was right to quit. Only time will tell how much damage he took.
He choose his brain over more games. Made plenty of money.
2012 was a great LB draft
Big Carolina fan, when he retired… shocking at the time but we all knew why. Personally, it’s best to walk away from the game on your own account, vs you have to.
Some of you also may remember good ole number 22 Dave Duerson from the 85’ Bears defense. After football Dave was on the radio call for the local Chicago station during Bears games. However in 2011 he couldn’t take it anymore & took his own life. He left a note to his family to have his brain researched atBoston University medical center. In those days there wasn’t a concussion protocol.
Put his ass in Canton. He deserved it. He was the best player the Panthers ever had. Us Panther fans miss him playing. He made a wise decision.
Horse end headline...Wise man walks away...
I miss watching this guy play 😢Dude was a PROBLEM.
Luke was no joke
HOF in 8 seasons. What a beast
Tua needs to watch this.
Word.
That's an intelligent dude!
The best is a huge stretch
I am so glad this young man retired.. I would rather have his brain and not a memory of it. He is still the smartest to ever play the game at that postion.We will not see another Luke for 20 years
His last concussion was really scary.
Luke Kuechly was an awesome player for the Carolina Panthers but took / too made many big hits. His style of play was full on, every play and suffered too many concussions. He was missed but his health was way more important. #KeepPounding
Still the goat
He's tough doesn't mean he's not smart, he knew Tepper is different than Jerry Richardson, he reads well.
Sadly, I think my boy Tua needs to do this.
Dude was a beast but didn't protect his head at all. You have to try at least a little to protect your head.
i didn't think there any question why he retired. same reason as the linebacker before him (Dan Morgan) retired . concussions.
I live 30 minutes away from evendale
Romo was his own worst enemy.
Kuechly deserved his ring.
No he didn't. He had to retire from injuries...and yea..he was dope
Tau needs to pay attention to Luke.
8 year's istn that short of. A career
Esp as line backer.
Disappeared after 417 concussions
tua needs to listen up
great video about an amazing player and person
He was a millionaire and wanted to live until 75.
Butkus played 14 game seasons
Disrespectful title for the video, dude had concussions
Smart man! Breaking your body sucks. However, breaking your 🧠 is something completely different.
If you were a great linebacker you had to teach the rest of your team about the game.
He was Peyton Manning(brains), and Ray Lewis(brawn) all in one! When he fell to Panthers, I was tickled! When the offense AND defense clicked in 2015, I thought sure we'd hoist the Lombardy...
I feel you brother
Packers fan here, I wish they would have man, they were stacked in 2015
Butkus didn't play in 16 game seasons. Not sure if he played in 14 game seasons.
He needs to give Tua a call. It just ain't worth it.
he got filthy rich playing football and quit before his brain was cottage cheese...
He. Got tired of playing in Carolina
He Retired
Stud.
The title says "what happened to" it says nothing about "tragic" or "dissappearing"!! 😅
Still should be HOF'er not first ballot ...with those stats are equal to or greater than those already in the Hall, what do he have prove ? Sanders left early too ...
nice clickbait title. he did not disappear, he retired.
And he wasn't close to being the best linebacker
@@23cassanova the adults are talking…
"All American Pro?" So he was in College and the NFL at the same time?
Yeah baby! That was why he was so good!! It’s obviously a mistake from me that i didn’t catch when recording it. 😂🤘🏼
“Fans around the world were stunned.?
I get the tackles part, but why doesn't he have more interceptions? If its a passing league why similar interceptions as Butkus ?
I remember when he crushed Johnny Football in a game, made ole Manziel squeal out loud.I,m sure he wasn't the only one he did that to.
Disappeared? Lol the kid retired. Stop click baiting, dude. 😑
And, today I found the single-digit IQ corridor of the internet.