Former Pаntһerѕ All-Pro Luke Kuecһly confіrmѕ ѕuѕpіcіon аround ѕһockіng retіrement decіѕіon tһаt ѕаw һіm wаlk аwаy from footbаll іn 2020

Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly shocked the NFL world when he announced his retirement in January of 2020.

Kuechly was just 28-years-old and was coming off an All-Pro season in 2019. Although he didn't specifically cite it, the three documented concussions that he suffered from 2015-2017 were believed to play a major role in his decision. 

While appearing on the "Bussin' With The Boys" podcast with hosts (and former NFL players) Will Compton and Taylor Lewan on Monday, Kuechly opened up about what was going through his mind during the final weeks of the 2019 season, which ultimately led to his retirement.

"The end of the 2019 season," Kuechly said when asked about when he knew he was going to retire. "You used to just go smack dudes and have no issues. I would go hit a guy, and I'm like, that didn't really feel great. The last game of the year, I was like, I'm done. I remember being like, man, I'm just done. I just remember after that game, I was like, you don't got it anymore."

Kuechly went on to explain how he knew something wasn't right when he began to check out mentally.

"I would have been fine if I physically slowed down," Kuechly said. "Like, can't run as well, not as fast. Maybe I'm not as physical. Maybe I don't have the same fire. I would have been fine with that, and I would have just milked it out a little bit more. I used to love playing, but once I knew it was my head, I'm like, it's either yes or no. I couldn't rationalize not playing as hard as I want to. My effort's not going to be there. I can't be as physical. And once I knew that I'm like, man, it's not fair to the guys on the team. And it's not fair to the coaches, and it's not fair to the fans, myself, and my family for me to go out there at mentally 75 percent."

Kuechly also talked about how he learned to be honest with the medical staff and not try to rush back to playing from a concussion. 

"I think with a lot of the concussion stuff, you need to be as honest as you can with yourself and with everyone taking care of you," Kuechly said. "Because if they don't know how you feel, they can't help you. The more honest you are with them, the better, and the quicker you can come back from whatever you have going on, concussion wise. And that's what I learned. If I'm not honest, and I go back out before I shouldn't and I get dinged again, I'm providing less value to my team because now I'm going to be out for longer. So instead of it being a two week injury, it's a six week injury, and it's all because you didn't take care of yourself."

As unfortunate as it was for Kuechly to have to hang up his cleats at such a young age while on track to have a Hall of Fame worthy career, it's hard to argue his decision. Not only is it dangerous to keep to play football after having suffered multiple concussions, but there's also danger in continuing to play while not being fully committed.

Kuechly still had a great eight-year career to be proud of. He was named an All-Pro and a Pro Bowler seven times, won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012, and Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. Kuechly led the NFL in tackles twice, and is a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team. Although he didn't make the cut during his first year of eligibility, Kuechly has a shot at being a hall of famer down the road.