During the month of July, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will determine which three players deserve to be considered the faces of each franchise. For this series, we will only consider active players. In this edition, the focus shifts to the Carolina Panthers.
Faces of the Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton
In January 2011, Cam Newton led the game-winning drive in the Auburn Tigers’ victory against the Oregon Ducks in the BCS National Championship game. The following Feburary, Newton was awarded the NFL’s Rookie of the Year honor. Continuing his success from college, Cam Newton immediately produced at the pro level by breaking league records for a quarterback. When things went good for Newton, his charisma and swagger exuded in the eyes of fans; when he struggled, his morale did a complete 180. Criticized for his moody attitude his first two seasons, Newton developed a mindset of accountability and taking ownership while encouraging his team to do the same. In 2013, he led Carolina to a 12-4 record and a first round bye in the playoffs, setting career highs in completion percentage, touchdowns and passer rating in the process. A two-time Pro Bowler in four seasons, Cam Newton has changed the culture and raised the ceiling for excellence for the Carolina Panthers with his physical upside and intangibles. This June, Newton agreed to a five-year, $103.8 million extension with the Panthers, so “Superman” is definitely locked in to lead for the long run.
Luke Kuechly
If it wasn’t for the talented Newton playing the toughest position in football, Luke Kuechly would easily be the top face of this franchise. Leading the nation with 191 tackles as a Boston College junior, Kuechly suited up in a Panthers uniform and led all NFL players with 164 tackles as a rookie in 2012. In year two, his 156 tackles, seven pass deflections and four interceptions earned him Defensive Player of the Year and helped Carolina boast the league’s second-ranked defense in 2013. His NFL record-tying 24-tackle performance against the division rival New Orleans Saints was crucial in the Panthers grabbing the No. 2 seed in the postseason. Last season, Kuechly once again topped the league with 153 tackles and set career marks in pass deflections (11) and sacks (3). In terms of leadership, he’s known as being a quiet guy who leads by example. When he was drafted, NFL Network Analyst Mike Mayock said that Kuechly is Clark Kent with the ability to be Superman on Sundays. Ex-teammate Jon Beason mentioned the passion he brings to the field; he added that if you were to walk passed him, you wouldn’t know that he was an NFL player. Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, but Luke Kuechly is equally as, if not more, talented than his AFC contemporary.
Thomas Davis
Before Luke Kuechly joined the squad, Thomas Davis was the tackling machine for the Panthers. Since turning pro in 2005, Thomas has compiled 730 tackles, 17.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles and six interceptions in nine seasons; he garnered 100-plus tackles in four of those campaigns. Injuries have significantly hampered his career, but when healthy, he’s as good as it gets. In the aforementioned 2013 contest against the Saints, Thomas made 14 of the 38 combined tackles between him and Kuechly. With his superb tackling ability, Thomas successfully wraps up ball carriers for minimal to no gains. With Kuechly as his running mate, the duo has propelled Carolina’s defense to an elite level. A league veteran at age 32, Thomas continues to mentor, guide and motivate young defenders to perform to their highest potentials.
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