While millions of TV viewers saw the impact of Luke Kuechly's skills with the Carolina Panthers over the years, few knew how hard he hit better than those who worked and played with him every day.
Mick Mixon, former Panthers play-by-play announcer: "So a lifetime ago I played in a cover band called the Franklin Street Band. We were hired to play Casey Beamer's rehearsal dinner party in Georgia. Frank Beamer, head coach of Virginia Tech is Casey Beamer's dad. The Panthers had just drafted Luke Kuechly about three weeks prior. So here's my moment. I say, Coach Beamer, your Hokies played Boston College. What can you tell me about our first round draft pick? He set his beverage down and he looked it right into my soul. And he said, Mick, let me tell you something. In 40 years of coaching, I've gone across the field exactly one time to congratulate another player who single-handedly kicked our [butt]. And that was Luke Kuechly."
Al Holcomb, former Panthers defensive coach: "From a linebacking standpoint, one of the biggest things about Luke was he had a great first step. His first step was so quick that it was hard for offensive linemen to get up and try to block him. He was out in front of them beating them to the point of attack."
Steve Wilks, former Panthers defensive coordinator: "As a coaching staff, we would go downstairs and probably have dinner around seven 7:30. We've gotten off the field maybe about 2 o'clock. Meetings are over maybe about 3:30, no later than four. We're downstairs eating and the next thing you know it's 7:45 and Luke comes around the corner, so when everybody's gone home, Luke is still there."
Kurt Coleman, former Panthers safety: "I think for myself, I never got a chance to really appreciate Luke until I got to watch Luke with my own eyes. And when you get to watch him with your own eyes, you understand why he's great. Yeah, he's an incredible athlete, incredibly smart. But he wants it."
#coach #played #casey
Mick Mixon, former Panthers play-by-play announcer: "So a lifetime ago I played in a cover band called the Franklin Street Band. We were hired to play Casey Beamer's rehearsal dinner party in Georgia. Frank Beamer, head coach of Virginia Tech is Casey Beamer's dad. The Panthers had just drafted Luke Kuechly about three weeks prior. So here's my moment. I say, Coach Beamer, your Hokies played Boston College. What can you tell me about our first round draft pick? He set his beverage down and he looked it right into my soul. And he said, Mick, let me tell you something. In 40 years of coaching, I've gone across the field exactly one time to congratulate another player who single-handedly kicked our [butt]. And that was Luke Kuechly."
Al Holcomb, former Panthers defensive coach: "From a linebacking standpoint, one of the biggest things about Luke was he had a great first step. His first step was so quick that it was hard for offensive linemen to get up and try to block him. He was out in front of them beating them to the point of attack."
Steve Wilks, former Panthers defensive coordinator: "As a coaching staff, we would go downstairs and probably have dinner around seven 7:30. We've gotten off the field maybe about 2 o'clock. Meetings are over maybe about 3:30, no later than four. We're downstairs eating and the next thing you know it's 7:45 and Luke comes around the corner, so when everybody's gone home, Luke is still there."
Kurt Coleman, former Panthers safety: "I think for myself, I never got a chance to really appreciate Luke until I got to watch Luke with my own eyes. And when you get to watch him with your own eyes, you understand why he's great. Yeah, he's an incredible athlete, incredibly smart. But he wants it."
#coach #played #casey
2 months ago
