Panthers legends Luke Kuechly, Steve Smith among Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees
(CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — Several former Carolina Panthers players are among the new Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees revealed this week.
There are 16 total who played for the Panthers on the list, coming on the heels of former defensive end Julius Peppers being inducted in July. The most prominent who wore the black and blue include linebacker Luke Kuechly, center Ryan Khalil, and wide receiver Steve Smith.
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There are 16 total first-time nominees across the NFL, including quarterback Eli Manning; running backs Marshawn Lynch and Darren Sproles; and late wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.
Here are the remaining Panthers’ nominees, with the years they played for the team:
QB Jake Delhomme (2003-09)
RB Stephen Davis (2003-05)
RB/WR/PR/KR Eric Metcalf (1999)
WR Muhsin Muhammad (1996-2004, 2008-09)
WR Steve Smith (2001-13)
TE Wesley Walls (1996-2002)
TE Jeremy Shockey (2011)
OT Jordan Gross (2003-13)
C Ryan Kalil (2007-18)
DE Jared Allen (2015)
LB Jessie Armstead (2004*)
LB Luke Kuechly (2012-19)
LB Lee Woodall (2000)
S Eugene Robinson (2000^)
CB Charles Tillman (2015)
CB DeAngelo Hall (Current Panthers assistant coach)
K John Kasay (1995-2010)
*Armstead signed with the Panthers but retired before the season started
^ Robinson also was the longtime analyst for Panthers radio broadcasts
Smith made the cut to 25 semifinalists in the last three years.
The overall nominee list of 167 players will be cut to 50 by a special screening committee, and those results will be announced in mid-October. The full Hall of Fame selection committee will then reduce that list to 25 semifinalists and then to 15 finalists who will be discussed at the annual meeting ahead of Super Bowl LVIX.
That new class can consist of three, four, or five Modern-Era Players under the Hall of Fame’s bylaws.
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