
CHARLOTTE (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - The Carolina Panthers' all-star middle linebacker Luke Kuechly has retired.
Kuechly made his announcement official via a video on the Carolina Panther Twitter account.
The middle linebacker came out of Boston College and was the ninth-overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.
He quickly adjusted to the speed of the NFL to earn Defensive Rookie of the Year and a place on the All-Rookie Team.
In 2013, Kuechly won the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Kuechly was also the sack leader twice in his career, 2012 and 2014.
Kuechly, in his eight-year career, has earned Pro Bowl honors seven times, and either first- or second-team All-Pro honors seven times.