The Carolina Panthers’ Mount Rushmore
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A popular debate for fans of every team and sport is who would be on their team's version of Mount Rushmore… Four of the greatest players who have made the greatest impact on their respective franchises, and although there are certainly deserving players who couldn’t make the cut, today we're going to go over who would make the Carolina Panthers Mount Rushmore.
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Quarterback Cam Newton: Probably the most influential Carolina Panther of all time, who had an incredible prime is Cam Newton. `Newton finished up a storied college career at Auburn and came into the league ready to dominate, and he did just that. Winning offensive rookie of the year in 2011, putting up 35 total touchdowns, Newton was able to really turn the Panthers around and turn them into major contenders. Newton’s peak was his MVP season in 2015, where he threw for 3837 yards and 35 touchdowns, along with rushing for another 636 yards and 10 touchdowns. Unfortunately, despite several fantastic seasons, Newton was never able to win a super bowl for the Panthers as they still are chasing their first ring, but Newton brought them very close a couple of times and made the Panthers the most exciting team in the NFL.
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Linebacker Luke Kuechly: With the shortest career on this list, Luke Kuechly absolutely made the most of it. Playing 8 seasons in the NFL, all for the Panthers, Kuechly was dominant since the moment he stepped onto an NFL field. Winning defensive rookie of the year in 2012, then defensive player of the year in only his second season in 2014, Kuechly was truly special. Known for his incredible instincts as a linebacker and being a great tackler, Kuechly was able to diagnose plays and predict where the ball was going with amazing accuracy. Making 7 pro bowls, 5 first team all-pro selections, and 2 2nd team all-pro teams is a lot for someone to accomplish in a 15 year career, but Kuechly doing this in 8 years is absolutely incredible.
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Wide receiver Steve Smith Sr: In addition to being an electric receiver, Steve Smith Sr. was also one of the best trash talkers in NFL history, having numerous legendary sound bites that people still talk about today. However, although Smith did a lot of talking on and off the field, he always found a way to back it up and then some, always stepping up in big games for the Panthers. Smith spent 13 years in Carolina, and racked up 12,197 receiving yards along with 67 touchdown catches, Smith made 5 pro bowls, 2 1st team all-pro teams, and 1 2nd team all-pro team, in several years of his career many people think that he was snubbed from the pro bowl and all-pro teams. Smith had a legendary career in Carolina, and although his eventual departure from the team was a little messy, Smith rightfully earned his spot on this list.
Photo Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki, USA Today
Defensive end Julius Peppers: One of the most versatile defensive linemen ever, who also had incredible longevity as well. Playing 10 years for the Panthers from 2002-09 and then 2017-18, Peppers was virtually unstoppable his whole time there. Peppers had the size and strength to line up on the interior of the defensive line, but also the quickness and agility to come off the edge and even sometimes play coverage! Peppers was a game changer in every area of the defense that he put his mind to, racking up 97 sacks, 30 forced fumbles, over 300 tackles and plenty more during his tenure in Carolina. Peppers made 5 pro bowls with the Panthers, as well as 2 first team all-pro teams and 2 2nd team all-pro teams. It’s not often you see a 6 '7 and 285 lb defensive lineman, it’s even less often to see someone that size who was as athletic and skilled as Peppers. As he approaches his eligibility for the hall of fame, it should only be a matter of time before Canton is calling his name.
