Carolina Panthers legends Luke Kuechly and Steve Smith Sr. were not selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
The announcement came during the NFL Honors on Thursday night in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX.
This was Kuechly’s first year of eligibility for the Hall. He played for the Panthers from 2012-19 and immediately established himself as one of the best defenders in the league.
He won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012 followed by Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. He made seven Pro Bowls, five First-team All-Pro teams, and two Second-team All-Pro teams.
Kuechly announced his retirement in 2020 at 28 years old, citing the effects of his various concussions throughout his career.
FILE – In this Sept. 12, 2019, file photo, Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) runs a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly is retiring from the NFL after eight seasons. The 28-year-old Kuechly made the surprising announcement Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, on the team’s website. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Meanwhile, Smith Sr. has been eligible since 2021 but was not voted as one of the four inductees this year.
Smith Sr. is the Panthers’ all-time leading receiver in receptions (836), yards (12,197) and touchdowns (67). Following his Panthers career, he played three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
Smith Sr. has the eighth most receiving yards (14,731) in NFL history. He is also one of 13 receivers to have won the triple crown, which he achieved in 2005.
Only four players – tight end Antonio Gates, defensive end Jared Allen, cornerback Eric Allen and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe – were selected to the Hall of Fame this year. This is the smallest class to be inducted since 2005.
Jared Allen played 12 games with Carolina after being traded in 2015 from the Chicago Bears. He helped the Panthers get to the Super Bowl in the 2015-16 season before retiring from football.
Kuechly was one of four modern-era candidates to reach the final stage. He will automatically advance to the final 15 for next year’s voting.
