There are now six former panthers at the renowned temple of professional football.
Charlotte, NC – Two legends of the Caroline Panthers continue to wait for a bust in Canton.
The second Luke Kuechly and the large receiver Steve Smith Sr. were not chosen for the class of the renowned professional football of 2025. The announcement was made Thursday at the Honieurs de la NFL ceremony.
The duo was one of the 15 finalists for honor. The defensive winger Jared Allen, the corner half Eric Allen, the tight winger Antonio Gates and the wide Sterling Sterling receiver were the four enthroned players.
Jared Allen, best known for his prevailing days with the Vikings of Minnesota and the Chiefs of Kansas City, played a season with the Panthers in 2015. Carolina exchanged for Allen des Chicago Bears before the 2015 commercial deadline. Allen helped Panthers to reach the Super Bowl this season and retired during the offseason.
Kuechly was in her first year of eligibility. From the first time he walked in the field as a recruit until his retirement in 2017, Kuechly left no doubt that he was among the best in the NFL. Kuechly was a quintuple All-Pro, seven times, the Bowler proofer, was the defensive player of 2013 and was appointed to the team in all decade of the 2010 NFL.
Smith, the most prolific receiver in the history of the panthers, was a dominant force in the game that passes and remembered his colorful personality on the ground. He caught more than 1,000 assists for more than 14,000 reception yards in his illustrious career. It was a selection of Pro Bowl five times and helped the Panthers reach the Super Bowl in the 2003 season.
Allen is the sixth former panther to go to the Hall of Fame. Kevin Greene, Sam Mills, Reggie White, Julius Peppers and Bill Polian were the first five.
This article will be updated.
For the latest news, weather and weather alerts and traffic that have an impact on WCNC Charlotte, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile application and activate push notifications.
