Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL Draft out of Georgia, John Kasay spent four solid years in the Pacific Northwest before taking a leap in 1995. Signing as an unrestricted free agent with the expansion Carolina Panthers, the left-footed placekicker became the very first star player signed in franchise history and served as the scoring backbone of the organization for 16 seasons.

Kasay developed a lengthy career based on smooth mechanics, icy composure under pressure, and exceptional leg strength from long range. Throughout two decades of football in the Carolinas, he excelled in high-pressure situations, delivering low, powerful kickoffs and precise, rhythmic kicks on critical fourth-quarter drives. This made him one of the most dependable long-range kickers of his era.

Kasay made a remarkable impact during Carolina's 1995 expansion, scoring 26 field goals and establishing the franchise. His most outstanding individual achievement came in 1996 (not 2006), during a historic season that propelled the second-year Panthers to the NFC Championship. Kasay set an NFL single-season record at that time with 37 field goals and scored a league-high 145 points. His exceptional performance earned him his first Pro Bowl selection and Second-Team All-Pro honors.

Despite roster changes and championship campaigns, Kasay was the team's steady heartbeat. He made crucial postseason kicks in Carolina's journey to Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2003, successfully converting 9 out of 10 playoff field goals that month.

Even in his late thirties, his leg remained strong; Kasay, in 2006, made over 88% of his kicks and scored 28 field goals in 2008, contributing to Carolina's return to the playoffs.

After serving as the team's leading scorer for 16 years, Carolina released the veteran in August 2011 to make space for younger players. Kasay quickly signed with the NFC South rival New Orleans Saints for the 2011 season, where he made 28 field goals at age 42 before retiring. During his time with the Panthers, he made 351 field goals and scored a total of 1,482 points, a franchise record that remains unmatched. In 2019, he was inducted into the Panthers Hall of Honor.

Geoff Hangartner was drafted in the 5^th Round from Texas A&M in 2005, and he would play in various places on the O-Line for four seasons before signing with the Buffalo Bills in 2009.  The Panthers would sign him again where he would stabilize the Right Guard position for two seasons before being released after the third when he became injury prone.  Overall, he played 90 Games for Carolina.

An All-American and Butkus Award winner in 2000, Dan Morgan was drafted 11^th Overall where the former Miami Hurricane would play 58 games in a career covered in injuries.  Morgan started all of his games, but the Middle Linebacker never competed in more than 13 games in a season and was only in 4 Games in his last two seasons (2006 & 2007).  He was a Pro Bowl Selection in 2004.

Frank Garcia was a Fourth Rounder from Washington and the Offensive Lineman would play for the Panthers for the first six seasons of his career.  Garcia was versatile as he would play Center, Left Guard and Right Guard over his Carolina stint where he played 91 games and started 84 of them.  His work in the trenches was a factor in the team reach the NFC Finals in their second year of existence.

Lamar Lathon played for the Houston Oilers for the first five seasons of his career and signed with the Panthers for their inaugural season.  The Linebacker would have the best year of his career in 1996 where he was a Pro Bowl and a Second Team All-Pro and helped the upstart Panthers reach the 1996 NFC Conference Final.  Overall, Lathon would record 23.5 Sacks for the franchise.

A 3^rd Round Pick in 2004 from South Carolina, Travelle Wharton would start 111 of his 115 games for the Carolina Panthers, the only team he would play for in the National Football League, although he was a Cincinnati Bengal for one season however due to injury could not compete.  Wharton was never a Pro Bowl Selection, but there were a couple of seasons (2005 & 2011) where he was likely in the discussion.

Taken 25th overall in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft out of Miami, Jon Beason made his presence felt immediately with the Panthers. Stepping straight into the middle linebacker role as a rookie, Beason established himself as an elite, sideline-to-sideline tackling machine and the heart of Carolina’s defense.

Beason possessed baseline speed, diagnostic instincts, and explosive closing power. Operating as the primary defensive play-caller in the heart of the front seven, he excelled at sifting through trash at the line of scrimmage, reading running back keys instantly, and dropping seamlessly into intermediate coverage to challenge passing lanes.

Beason hit the ground running in 2007, recording 140 total tackles and finishing as the runner-up for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. His sophomore campaign in 2008 was nothing short of brilliant. Leading the entire NFL with 110 solo tackles (138 combined), Beason earned his first Pro Bowl selection and was named a First-Team All-Pro.

That standout performance launched a three-year streak of excellence at middle linebacker. Beason made his second Pro Bowl and earned Second-Team All-Pro recognition in 2009, highlighting a season with 141 tackles and 3.0 sacks. In 2010, he secured his third straight Pro Bowl, recording 121 tackles and adapting to different positions effortlessly. During his first four NFL seasons, Beason started all 64 games and averaged more than 134 tackles annually.

Severe injuries significantly changed his career path just as he reached his peak. In Week 1 of the 2011 season, Beason tore his Achilles tendon, which allowed him to play only one game. Additionally, knee and shoulder injuries cut short his 2012 season after only four games, during which rookie Luke Kuechly assumed the role of middle linebacker.

With Kuechly entrenching himself at the position, Carolina traded Beason to the New York Giants midway through the 2013 season. He revitalized New York’s defense upon arrival, recording 93 tackles in 12 games for the Giants that year before injuries eventually forced his retirement after 2015. In Carolina, Beason played in 72 regular-season games (71 starts), amassing 583 total tackles (444 solo), 4.0 sacks, 32 tackles for loss, and nine interceptions.

With the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft, DeAngelo Williams arrived in Charlotte as an explosive, home-run-hitting playmaker. Pairing with heavy-hitting rookie Jonathan Stewart in 2008, Williams anchored the backfield half of Carolina's famous "Double Trouble" duo—one of the most lethal two-headed backfield tandems in modern pro football history.

Williams had exceptional acceleration, a low center of gravity for contact balance, and a powerful second gear on the open field. Playing in John Fox's run-focused system, he excelled at setting up blocks on zone stretches before swiftly cutting back into the secondary. Once past the initial tackles, Williams seldom got caught from behind, often turning what looked like simple gap plays into long touchdown runs.

Williams continued his initial two-year development, but his performance truly skyrocketed in 2008, establishing himself as a superstar. With exceptional efficiency, he totaled a franchise-high 1,515 rushing yards, averaged 5.5 yards per carry, and led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns. Despite having one of the best seasons ever by a running back that year, he was surprisingly omitted from the Pro Bowl but was later recognized as a Second-Team All-Pro to correct the mistake.

He demonstrated that his breakout season in 2009 was no coincidence. Sharing duties with Stewart in a historic backfield—the first in NFL history to have two 1,100-yard rushers in a single season—Williams accumulated 1,117 yards and scored seven touchdowns over 13 games. This achievement earned him his first Pro Bowl selection, a well-deserved recognition.

Although injuries and shared backfield duties prevented him from reaching 1,000 yards again in Charlotte, Williams stayed a consistent part of the Panthers' offense through 2014. He was a reliable veteran presence, frequently making significant plays during crucial moments, especially after Cam Newton's arrival.

Following nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers, the veteran running back was released in March 2015. Williams subsequently signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he experienced a resurgence in his career by stepping in during Le'Veon Bell's absences—culminating in tying the NFL lead with 11 rushing touchdowns in 2015—before retiring after the 2016 season. During his tenure with the Panthers, Williams participated in 117 regular-season games (starting 62), amassing 6,846 rushing yards and 46 rushing touchdowns. Additionally, he recorded 1,621 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. His total of 8,467 yards from scrimmage and 53 touchdowns ranks among the highest in franchise history at the time of his departure.

Wesley Walls, after earning a Super Bowl ring as a reserve with the 49ers and spending two solid seasons in New Orleans, joined Charlotte in 1996 as a high-profile free agent. This move drastically changed his career path—and the Panthers' offense—immediately, establishing him as one of the top tight ends of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Walls blended traditional inline strength with the smooth route-running of a large wide receiver. Serving as Kerry Collins and Steve Beuerlein's reliable safety net and main target in red-zone situations, he excelled at running intermediate seam routes, finding openings in zone coverage, and using his ability to high-point the ball to out-jump linebackers and safeties in confined areas.

In 1996, during Carolina's second year, Walls made a notable impact. He caught 61 passes for 713 yards and scored 10 touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection and Second-Team All-Pro honors. His performance helped the expansion team win the NFC West division and reach the NFC Championship Game.

In 1997, he repeated that elite performance, recording 58 catches for 746 yards and six touchdowns, earning a second consecutive Pro Bowl selection and a Second-Team All-Pro honor.

His stellar statistical campaign came in 1999. Walls delivered an outstanding season, catching 63 passes for 822 yards and 12 touchdowns—tying the NFL single-season record for touchdown catches by a tight end at that time. That impressive performance earned him a third Second-Team All-Pro honor and his fourth straight Pro Bowl invitation. Walls celebrated his fifth and final Pro Bowl selection in 2001 after making 43 catches and scoring five touchdowns.

Following seven seasons as a fixture in Charlotte, the organization shifted toward a youth movement in 2003, leading to Walls' release. He spent his final NFL season with the Green Bay Packers in 2003 before hanging up his cleats.

Walls played seven seasons with the Panthers (1996–2002), appearing in 98 games (95 starts), with 324 receptions, 3,902 yards, and 44 touchdowns—the franchise record for tight ends. In 2019, he was inducted into the Panthers Hall of Honor alongside Jake Delhomme, Jordan Gross, and Steve Smith Sr.

Chosen in the second round (59th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft from USC, Ryan Kalil came to Charlotte as a highly regarded college center. Over 12 seasons, he became the key figure on Carolina's offensive line, blending exceptional athleticism with sharp pre-snap awareness to lead the franchise through its most successful period.

Kalil transformed interior offensive line play in Carolina. With exceptional quickness for a center, he excelled at pulling blocks in power-running schemes, easily reaching the second level to block linebackers. More than his physical skills, Kalil served as the brain of the offensive front, analyzing defensive fronts, communicating blitz calls, and delivering swift, accurate snaps in Cam Newton's zone-read and power-option schemes.

After serving a rotational role as a rookie in 2007, Kalil became the full-time starting center in 2008, quickly improving the team's performance. By 2009, he was selected for his first Pro Bowl, beginning a period during which he was regarded as one of the top centers in the league.

Kalil kept his high level of performance around the decade's start, earning back-to-back Pro Bowl selections in 2010 and 2011, as well as a Second-Team All-Pro accolade in 2011. That achievement led to a significant contract extension in August 2011, making him briefly the highest-paid center in NFL history.

His career peak came during Carolina's strong performances in the mid-2010s. Kalil earned First-Team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl spot in 2013 when Carolina won the NFC South. He maintained that high level during the remarkable 2015 season, earning his second First-Team All-Pro honor and fifth Pro Bowl. As a team captain, he led the offensive line that helped Carolina reach a 15–1 record, win the NFC Championship, and make it to Super Bowl 50.

Navigating injuries late in his career, Kalil provided steady veteran leadership through his final year in Charlotte in 2018, before spending a brief 2019 farewell season with the New York Jets.

A six-time team captain, Kalil started 145 of his 148 regular-season games in a Panthers uniform, establishing himself as one of the most durable and decorated offensive linemen in team history.

Thomas Davis was selected 14th overall in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft and entered the league as a hybrid safety/linebacker. While he began his career in the secondary, the Panthers quickly shifted him to weakside linebacker full-time, unlocking one of the most remarkable stories of resilience and longevity in modern NFL history.

Davis maintained his safety speed while building the lower-body strength needed to play in the front seven. A sideline-to-sideline tackler, he had fluid hips in zone coverage, making him an ideal weakside linebacker capable of carrying tight ends up the seam or firing through gap blitzes. Above all, what defined Davis was his relentless motor and physical toughness, paired with a rare ability to overcome severe knee injuries.

Davis swiftly transitioned to linebacker, starting 14 games in 2006 and then achieving consecutive 100-tackle seasons in 2008 (114 tackles) and 2009. Unfortunately, he tore his right ACL late in 2009, and over the following two years, he experienced two more ACL tears on the same knee—one in June 2010 and another in September 2011—losing nearly two entire seasons.

While most careers would have ended after three ACL reconstructions, the Panthers supported Davis, who then delivered an extraordinary second chapter. In 2012, he came back full-time and achieved 105 tackles, making NFL history as the first to return and perform at an elite level after three ACL surgeries on the same knee.

Paired with middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, Davis formed one of the era's premier linebacker duos. In 2013, he recorded 123 tackles and 4.0 sacks. Off the field, his extraordinary charitable work earned him the prestigious 2014 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.

In his 30s, Davis reached a top-tier individual peak. In 2015, he led Carolina's defense, which went 15–1, with 105 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and four interceptions, earning First-Team All-Pro and his first Pro Bowl. Notably, he broke his arm in the NFC Championship Game, had 12 screws and a plate inserted, and still played through the pain two weeks later in Super Bowl 50.

Davis picked up two additional Pro Bowl nods in 2016 and 2017, anchoring Carolina's defense through 2018 before playing his final seasons with the Chargers and Washington. Davis played 176 regular-season games (158 starts), racking up 1,098 tackles, 28.0 sacks, 13 interceptions, and 18 forced fumbles in a Panthers uniform. The organization inducted Davis into the Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor in 2023 alongside his long-time linebacking partner Luke Kuechly.

Out of Boston College, Luke Kuechly arrived in Charlotte as the ninth overall pick in the 2012 draft and immediately took over the middle of the field. Operating as the heartbeat and defensive play-caller of the franchise, Kuechly processed pre-snap alignments with the precision of an offensive coordinator, elevating linebacker play to a masterclass level over his eight dominant seasons.

Kuechly combined exceptional sideline-to-sideline pursuit speed, smooth coverage movement, and sharp diagnostic skills. His defining trait was his relentless preparation—he would analyze opposing formations and receiver splits before the snap, alerting teammates to play concepts and adjusting the defensive line for optimal gap fits. In pass defense, Kuechly had the hips and range to drop into Tampa 2 zones or cover tight ends up the seam, playing with the instincts of a free safety. When defending the run, he used quick lateral footwork to avoid offensive linemen, then charged downhill to fill interior gaps and tackled ball-carriers with solid form.

Kuechly's rookie year in 2012 started as an outside linebacker, but a midseason move to the middle linebacker position unlocked his full potential. He ended his first season as the NFL's leading tackler with 205 total tackles, along with two interceptions and a sack, earning the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

He supported his reputation with an iconic 2013 season. Leading a defense that was second overall and helping Carolina reach a 12–4 record, Kuechly recorded 156 tackles, four interceptions, and two sacks. His standout achievement was a tied-NFL-record 24-tackle game against the Saints in Week 16. At only 22, he received the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, his first First-Team All-Pro selection, and his first Pro Bowl appearance. In 2014, Kuechly secured his second league tackle title with 153 tackles, guiding Carolina to a division championship and a playoff win over Arizona.

In Carolina's historic 15–1 season in 2015, Kuechly was the anchor of the NFC championship defense. Although he missed three games due to a concussion, he finished the regular season with 118 tackles and four interceptions. During the playoffs, he made a significant impact by returning interceptions for touchdowns in consecutive victories against Seattle and Arizona, leading Carolina to Super Bowl 50.

From 2016 to 2018, Kuechly consistently upheld an elite level despite dealing with injuries. He achieved First-Team All-Pro recognition in 2017 and 2018, recording 125 tackles and three interceptions in 2017, then surpassing that with 130 tackles, two interceptions, and 20 tackles for loss in 2018.

In 2019, his last season, Kuechly played all 16 games, made 144 tackles, and received his seventh straight Pro Bowl honor. He surprised the football community by retiring in January 2020 at age 28, deciding to step away at his prime to safeguard his long-term health.

Kuechly played 118 regular-season games, recording 1,092 tackles, 18 interceptions, 12.5 sacks, 66 pass deflections, 7 forced fumbles, and 75 tackles for loss. He averaged 136.5 tackles annually and never had fewer than 100 in a season. He was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and was inducted into the Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor in 2023. His career was ultimately capped when he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026.

Cam Newton, the top pick in the 2011 NFL Draft after winning the Heisman Trophy at Auburn, debuted in the league as a rare physical talent. Standing 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 245 pounds, he combined the size of a linebacker, a strong arm like a pocket passer, and the agility of a running back, immediately transforming Carolina's offense.

Newton transformed how defenses considered the quarterback in the run game. Designed to withstand direct hits at the goal line, he displayed remarkable strength on QB sweeps, draws, and power-read options, reliably converting short-yardage plays that typical passers wouldn't attempt. As a passer, Newton leveraged his exceptional arm strength to throw into tight boundary windows, combining his rushing ability with a confident deep-ball approach.

Newton created instant history in his 2011 rookie season. He made a remarkable debut with 422 passing yards and ended the year with 4,051 yards passing, 21 passing TDs, plus 706 rushing yards and 14 rushing TDs—setting an NFL record for a quarterback in a single season. His outstanding debut earned him AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and his first Pro Bowl selection.

Over the following three seasons, Newton consistently demonstrated durability and dual-threat effectiveness. In 2012, he passed for 3,869 yards and rushed for 741 yards. In 2013, he guided Carolina to a 12–4 record, secured a division title, and earned his second Pro Bowl selection. The franchise's postseason return in 2014 was also part of his accomplishments.

His career peaked during his legendary 2015 MVP season. He led Carolina to a franchise-record 15–1 regular season, tallying 45 total touchdowns—3,837 passing yards with 35 passing scores, plus 636 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. He earned multiple awards, including AP NFL MVP, AP Offensive Player of the Year, and Bert Bell Award, along with First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections.

Newton led Carolina through decisive postseason wins over Seattle and Arizona to reach Super Bowl 50. However, facing the Denver Broncos in the Championship, he faced obstacles. Denver's fierce pass rush limited him, resulting in 265 passing yards and six sacks. The crucial point was late in the fourth quarter when, trailing 16–10, Newton was strip-sacked by Von Miller. As the ball scattered on the field, Newton hesitated and chose not to dive for it, a move that drew much public criticism as Denver recovered and secured the victory.

Despite the disappointing end to the Super Bowl, Newton continued to be the team's driving force, passing for more than 3,100 yards in each complete season from 2011 to 2018. During this period, he established himself as the most productive goal-line quarterback in NFL history, surpassing Steve Young's record for the most career rushing scores by a quarterback.

A foot injury limited Newton to just two games in 2019, leading to his release in early 2020. After spending the 2020 season with the New England Patriots, he returned to Charlotte midway through 2021 for a brief second stint, providing memorable touchdown moments for the home crowd despite operating in a reduced role.

Newton started 133 regular-season games, holding franchise records with 29,725 passing yards, 186 passing touchdowns, 5,036 rushing yards, and 63 rushing touchdowns. He stands as one of only two quarterbacks in NFL history to rush for over 5,000 yards with a single franchise.

Drafted as the 74th overall pick in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft from Utah, Steve Smith Sr. came to Charlotte marked by a strong motivation. Standing 5 feet 9 inches, he frequently encountered skepticism about his stature, which he turned into a fierce, competitive game approach. Throughout 13 seasons with the Panthers, Smith evolved from a remarkable special teams contributor to the franchise's all-time leading offensive star.

Smith displayed a rare level of intensity for a receiver. He used his quickness off the line to beat press coverage and relied on his frame to shield larger defenders. In the air, he had exceptional timing and consistently caught contested passes over taller opponents. After catching the ball, he ran with the agility of a running back, breaking tackles and resisting tackles from defenders in open space.

Smith demonstrated his exceptional talent right from his rookie year in 2001, earning First-Team All-Pro honors as a return specialist. He made history as the first NFL player to score a touchdown on both a kickoff and a punt in his debut month. After shifting to a full-time receiver role, he achieved his first 1,000-yard season in 2003 with 88 catches for 1,110 yards and seven touchdowns. His performance was crucial in Carolina's journey to Super Bowl XXXVIII, especially with his memorable 69-yard walk-off touchdown in double overtime against the St. Louis Rams during the Divisional Round.

In 2004, adversity hit when a broken leg in Week 1 sidelined him for the rest of the season. His 2005 response stands out as one of the greatest wide receiver seasons in modern football. He achieved the NFL's wide receiver Triple Crown, leading the league in receptions (103), receiving yards (1,563), and touchdowns (12). That year, he received AP Comeback Player of the Year, was named a First-Team All-Pro, and made the Pro Bowl, and was most memorable for finishing with a legendary 218-yard, two-touchdown game against Chicago in the postseason.

Smith remained a top-tier pass-catcher for the rest of his tenure in Charlotte, earning three additional Pro Bowl invitations in 2006, 2008, and 2011. During his 2011 campaign, he teamed with rookie quarterback Cam Newton to record 1,394 receiving yards on 79 catches.

Before spending his final three NFL seasons in Baltimore, Smith completed a 13-year run in Carolina, where he was the team's undisputed all-time leader in receptions (836), receiving yards (12,197), receiving touchdowns (67), and all-purpose yards (16,614). The organization enshrined him in the Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor in 2019.

Julius Peppers, chosen second overall in the 2002 NFL Draft from North Carolina—after earning both the Lombardi and Chuck Bednarik Awards during his college career—was the quintessential local star. Retaining this multi-talented athlete in his home state turned out to be a brilliant move, as Peppers developed into an extraordinarily athletic pass rusher who set the standard for defense in Carolina during two separate periods.

Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 283 pounds, Peppers redefined the physical profile that offensive coordinators fear on the edge. With a 4.7-second 40-yard dash and basketball-learned vertical leap, he easily countered edge angles through his long stride. He used a long-arm extension to keep offensive tackles at bay, combining it with a swift speed-to-power rush that often collapsed the pocket. His great length also enabled him to swat passes at the line of scrimmage, defend boundary sweeps, and drop into passing lanes to make surprising interceptions for a defensive lineman.

Peppers made a strong start with a breakout 2002 rookie season, achieving 12.0 sacks and five forced fumbles in only 12 games, earning the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. In 2003, he was a key pass-rusher, contributing significantly to Carolina's first division title in seven years and their run to Super Bowl XXXVIII.

His first First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors came in 2004, a standout year in which he recorded 11.0 sacks, led the NFL with 18 tackles for loss, and returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown against Denver. Peppers remained nearly unblockable during the following two seasons, earning Pro Bowl selections in 2005 and 2006, with the 2006 season earning him First-Team All-Pro recognition after posting 13.0 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Named defensive captain in 2007, Peppers reached his career peak in 2008, disrupting opponents’ backfields with 14.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles, earning Second-Team All-Pro honors. He made his fifth Pro Bowl in 2009 in Carolina after recording 10.5 sacks.

After seven productive seasons away—four with the Chicago Bears and three with the Green Bay Packers—Peppers returned to Charlotte in 2017. At 37, he delivered an impressive 11.0-sack season, contributing to the Panthers making the postseason again, before finishing his career with one last year in 2018.

Peppers appeared in 140 regular-season games, setting franchise records with 97.0 sacks, 34 forced fumbles, and eight blocked field goals. His total of 159.5 career sacks ranks fourth in NFL history. Recognized on both the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team and NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, Peppers was inducted into the Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor in 2019. His legendary career was finally confirmed when he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024 on his first ballot, making him the first franchise-drafted player to be enshrined in Canton.

Behind the depth chart to Brent Jones, Wesley Walls did not see a lot of action with the San Francisco 49ers, although he did win a Super Bowl with them (XXIV) and caught a pass in the big game.  Walls was injured through 1992 and 1993, and he would sign with the New Orleans Saints as a Free Agent, where he played well for two seasons, but it was with their division rival, the Carolina Panthers, where he would see his greatest success.

2024 Pre-Season Rank #74, 2023 Pre-Season Rank #70, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #64, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #62, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #65

Punters face a long road to Canton, but if any current one could get there, it is Hekker, who was a First Team All-Pro three years in a row from 2015 to 2017.  He was also named to the 2010s All-Decade Team.

Ryan Kalil spent the first 12 seasons in the National Football League with the Carolina Panthers where he established himself as one of the best Offensive Lineman in franchise history.  The former USC Trojan was chosen for five Pro Bowls and was named to two First Team All Pro rosters.  While Kalil was well respected in Carolina and helped them win many games he wasn’t as well-known as he should have been.  After retiring in 2018, he came back immediately, perfroming one year with the New York Jets before retiring for good.

Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB. Once that is done, we intend to look at how each team honor their past players and executive.  As such it is news to us that the Carolina Panthers have announced that four new members will be added to their Hall of Honor for 2019.

Before we look at those new members, let’s take a look at the Hall of Honor itself, which is still in a state of development.  Prior to this announcement, only two people were honored, that of former player Sam Mills and former executive Mike McCormack who were inducted way back in 1998.  There had been no discernable talk after about new members would enter the Hall of Honor but this changed when the new owner David Tepper bought the team.  

The Class of 2019 are:

Jake Delhomme: Quarterback 2003-09.  Delhomme arrived in 2003 as a free agent and took over as the team’s starter quickly coming in during the first game of the season in relief of Rodney Peete.  This began a Cinderella season where he took the Panthers all the way to an unexpected Super Bowl XXXVIII appearance where they lost in the last play of the game to the New England Patriots.  Delhomme would remain the team’s QB through to 2009 and the 2005 Pro Bowl Selection would throw for 19,258 Yards and 120 Touchdowns as a Panther.

Jordan Gross: Offensive Tackle 2003-13.  Gross would play 167 Games in the NFL all with Carolina and he started them all.  Gross was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection who was also chosen in 2018 as a First Team All-Pro.

Steve Smith: Wide Receiver 2000-13.  Smith was drafted in the 3^rdRound in 2001 out of Utah and he would become the greatest offensive threat in Panthers history. He was a Pro Bowl Selection four times and a First Team All-Pro twice and in 2005 he would lead the NFL in Receptions (103), Receiving Yards (1,563) and Receiving Touchdowns (12).  Before he signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2014, Smith would accrue 836 Receptions, 12,197 Yards and 67 Touchdowns as a Panther. Smith is considered to be a solid threat to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame once eligible.

Wesley Walls: Tight End 1996-02.  Walls played six years in the NFL before joining Carolina in 1996 and it was there where he had his best years.  Walls played in Carolina for seven years and was a Pro Bowler in five of them.  With the Panthers he would accumulate 324 Receptions, 3,902 Yards with 44 TDs.

  

Going forward, what we know is that the other considered nominees for the Class of 2019 was not revealed and that there is no guarantee that there will be an inductee every year.  While it has not been finalized, the belief is that a player must have played for the organization for a minimum of three years and be retired for at least two.  Both Mills and McCormack have statues, but it will be commemorative busts for the new inductees. Their names will be added to the upper bowl inside the stadium.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate and Jake Delhomme, Jordan Gross, Steve Smith and Wesley Walls for earning this honor.

We have another retirement to look at as Jonathan Stewart has just announced his departure from playing professional football.  He signed a one-day contract with the Carolina Panthers allowing him to sign with the team that drafted him.

Stewart was drafted by Carolina 13^thoverall in 2008 out of Oregon and he had a good rookie season with 836 Yards with 10 Touchdowns.  He matched his TD total in 2009 and would have a career high 1,113 Yards in 2010.  While Stewart was often sharing the load, he was consistent for the Panthers and over his ten seasons there he would accumulate 7,318 Rushing Yards with another 1,295 Yards coming by way of the air.   Stewart was named to the Pro Bowl in 2015.  He finished his career playing for the New York Giants last season.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to wish Jonathan Stewart the best in post-playing career.