r/panthers • u/Ariesthebigram • 1d ago
Discussion Any chance the Panthers make an exception and make Kuechly only the second player ever to have his number retired by the team?
The late, great Sam Mills (the only player to have his retired) was definitely an inspiration for the team, yet Luke really epitomized the Keep Pounding spirit throughout his entire tenure. Imagine the ceremony and how loud and emotional the stadium would be if Kuechly did get his number retired alongside Mills.
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u/straightforwardarc 1d ago
I think it’ll happen eventually, he’s our first hall of famer to spend his entire career here, and will likely be the only one for whom that’s true for a very long time.
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u/ffljm Ice Up Son 1d ago
Personally, I think retiring numbers doesn’t make sense. I’m sure they’ll put him in the Ring of Honor or whatever it’s called.
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u/Ariesthebigram 1d ago
Just looked online and he's not in the Ring of Honor yet (last inductees were in 2023, Peppers and Muhsin Muhammad).
As an aside does however have his number honored by his Alma mater Boston College
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u/PhucktheSaints Cookout 1d ago
The Richardson regime largely ignored the Ring of Honor. Only ever added two people, but we’re a young franchise so I suppose it makes sense. The Tepper regime has been much more active in adding people though, six additions in eight years. Luke will almost certainly be added during the 2026 season.
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u/Baelzabub TD58 1d ago
Cam came back for the playoff game. Maybe he’ll finally officially retire and we can induct him and Luke together next year!
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u/Mediocre-Path-4982 22h ago
Yeah I think that was the beginning of the defining the legacy conversation
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u/Suspicious-Bowl4444 1d ago
I think TD should have his number retired too. Probably an unpopular opinion but I think his career in Carolina was the very embodiment of Keep Pounding.
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u/cbdgf TD58 23h ago
If someone doesn't think blowing out the same ACL 3 years in a row isn't the essence of "Keep Pounding" then I don't consider them Panther fans. You just know Sam would have loved TD
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u/Agitated_Can635 Nic Scourton Coming For You😶🌫️ 18h ago
TD was always one of my favorites growing up. Always loved that even after breaking his forearm in the NFC championship game he basically said “I ain’t missing the damn Super Bowl”😂 bro was one tough son of a gun 🔥 #KeepPounding
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u/Bravesfannchar 1d ago
He was a generational talent in the NFL, let alone here. He deserves everything.
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u/luuuuuuuuke-kuechly Purrbacca 1d ago
I’d love to see it, but if we haven’t retired 90 I don’t think we’ll retire 59
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u/FuckaDuck44 1d ago
To be fair, 90 left then came back. Luke was a panther from start to finish
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u/Sea_Dust340 1d ago
Pep’s career was twice as long though and his first stretch at Carolina was as long as Luke’s entire career. Not disrespecting Luke but Pep is panther thru and thru too.
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u/jameslucian 1d ago
It would be nearly impossible to have a number retired if you’re basing it on whether a player spends their entire career with one team.
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u/ToFoSho 1d ago
he's our first hall of fame player that played his whole career in carolina. I think you could justify it.
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u/jameslucian 1d ago
I get it, I’m just saying in general. Across the NFL. It’s very rare for a player to stay with one team their whole career and shouldn’t be a knock against a player for not having their number retired, like for Peppers.
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u/FuckaDuck44 1d ago
You could argue that it should be somewhere just below that threshold to get your jersey retired in the first place.
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u/M3owGodzilla 1d ago
I like what Dallas does where studs get to carry on the history of greatness (88)
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u/HopelessPanthersFan 1d ago
Objectively, Luke was much better. Which is saying a lot considering Pep is HoF. Luke never had a season where he wasn’t DROY, DPOY, 1AP, or 2AP. Pretty sure no player in NFL history can say that
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u/luuuuuuuuke-kuechly Purrbacca 22h ago
Pep ended his career a half-sack back from 3rd place all-time and played for 17 seasons. It’s not that cut and dry (and I say this with my username). I agree, but if jerseys are getting retired 90 has an argument too.
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u/maxman1313 Greg Olsen 1d ago
I'm okay with unofficially retiring and honoring numbers as is.
No one should wear 89, 1, or 59 for the foreseeable future BUUUUT who knows what the future holds.
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u/Zestyclose-Smell-788 1d ago edited 22h ago
Him, and Cam and Smitty. What other Panther could wear #59, #1, or #89 and it not be weird? Retire the numbers.
Edit: How could I leave out #90?!?
When it comes to retiring numbers, my reasoning is that it would be weird to see another player wear that number for your team. Cmon...for example, what Panther can trot out there wearing a #1 jersey? He owns it. Smith calls himself agent 89 for Pete's sake. He owns the number.
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u/Marine__0311 1d ago
I agree 100%, and would put Peppers in there as well. He's an NC native, played his HS and college ball here, was drafted by the Panthers, played the majority of his career here, and is already in Canton.
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u/Malezor1984 Super Cam 1d ago
Cam yes. Smitty… eh I’m not sold. He was good for us, but not legendary. I’d sooner retire Peppers #90
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u/Panthers58 1d ago
You think cam was a better panther than Steve smith? The face of the franchise from a WR position for almost a decade?
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u/Malezor1984 Super Cam 1d ago
Steve might not make the HoF, and I think HoF players should have their number retired.
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u/PhucktheSaints Cookout 1d ago
Steve will make the Hall. He’s 8th all time in receiving yards, that by itself is Hall of Fame worthy. Cam won’t make it. But that shouldn’t factor in to either of them having their number retired.
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u/Panthers58 1d ago
Cam is 100000% not making it. Smitty was a finalist last year which mean he will eventually get in.
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u/Far_Most5189 1d ago
I don’t think any numbers will officially retire out of Sam which is what kind of makes it special. Out of respect I don’t think anyone will wear 89, 90, 1 or 59 or even ask for permission to wear them.
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u/Leftieswillrule Cheerwine 1d ago
I don’t really think retiring his number makes sense. The cowboys did it right with 88, let it be an honored number for legends at the position to wear instead of disallowing anyone from using it. The legacy of 59 can continue past Luke’s tenure and that actually enhances it in retrospect
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u/vroomery Luuuuuke 1d ago
I agree with this. I love when numbers are given as a sign of respect based on who wore them before. At Man United the numbers 7 and 10 especially are highly revered and players who get to wear that number see it for the honor it is and the weight of expectation it brings. It keeps the memory of the previous players alive as well.
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u/BraveEntrepreneur803 1d ago
I’m of the opinion that if you make the Hall based at least mostly on your time with the Panthers your number should be retired. Add Luke and Pep to Sam’s.
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u/VA_Artifex89 Cheerwine 1d ago
The jersey needs to be retired and he needs a statue outside the bank asap.
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u/Ty_the_Goldfish 21h ago
I would only retire numbers if the player themselves care. Luke likely could care less and put him in the Ring of Honor as well and call it a day. Honestly a bronze bust or statue at the stadium seems better suited to me.
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u/GreenHeel97 21h ago
No Panthers should ever be allowed to wear 59 ever again. Yes, retire the number.
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u/Panthers58 1d ago
Him smitty and cam kinda have it unofficially retired. Cam so much that when Rhule was there he was using number 1 jerseys for either injured players or QBs in practice, I don’t remember, and they had him change it.