No. 59 | |||||||||||||||||
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Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
Born: | Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. | April 20, 1991||||||||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||||||
Weight: | 238 lb (108 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||||||
High school: | St. Xavier (Cincinnati) | ||||||||||||||||
College: | Boston College (2009–2011) | ||||||||||||||||
NFL draft: | 2012 / round: 1 / pick: 9 | ||||||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||||||
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As an executive: | |||||||||||||||||
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Luke August Kuechly (/ˈkiːkli/ KEEK-lee;[1] born April 20, 1991) is an American former professional football player who spent his entire eight-year career as a linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). Kuechly played college football for the Boston College Eagles, twice earning consensus All-American honors. He was selected by the Panthers ninth overall in the 2012 NFL draft.
Kuechly had an immediate impact during his rookie season, as he led the NFL in tackles and won the Associated Press 2012 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, becoming the third youngest recipient in its history.[2][3] In 2013, Kuechly became the youngest recipient of the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in its history.
After retiring following the 2019 season, Kuechly rejoined the Panthers as a pro scout. Kuechly resigned from his position in 2021.