CANTON — Calls of “L-u-u-u-ke,” roared inside Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 8.
Fans were celebrating loudly as Luke Kuechly took the podium as this year’s Ohio story in Hall of Fame week. Those fans were among the numerous Kuechly people who showed up for his enshrinement.
“The most valuable member of a team is the fans,” Kuechly said.
Kuechly was the most valuable member of nearly any team for which he played throughout his football career.
In his 14-minute acceptance speech, he opened with a shout to a large group of 2026 Cincinnati St. Xavier High School football players who drove up for “the moment.”
The venue, now called Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, was called Fawcett Stadium when Kuechly played in it for St. X in the 2007 state finals.
Kuechly disappeared, a little, when he left Ohio for Boston College. He made eye contact with his college teammates during his speech.
“I probably have the best college buddies in world,” he said. “Eight of us have a very special bond. You guys are a safe place for me. I’m so lucky you’re here.”
Kuechly caught the public eye from Day 1 with the Carolina Panthers, making Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012 and NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.
The latest Defensive Player of the Year, Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, enters his ninth season with a new team. Kuechly, 35, didn’t make it that far, retiring after eight seasons, but those were so impressive he is the second-youngest man to enter the Hall of Fame, after Gale Sayers.
Sayers was 34 when he went in in 1977.
Kuechly graciously began his speech with a vignette about each fellow member of the Class of 2026.
He called Drew Brees “the best player I ever played against,” one who made trips to New Orleans frightful.
He alluded to a Ying Yang Twins song associated with the Saints. “If I ever hear that song ‘Stand Up and Get Drunk,’ it ruins my mood,” he said.
Kuechly’s presenter was his dad, Tom Kuechly, who saw every down he son played, starting with his youth team in Cincinnati.
“Off the field Luke was an average guy,” Tom Kuechly said. “On the field he became a different person, relentless in his pursuit and getting the job done.
“He was blessed with physical and intellectual ability. His driving influence is his desire to compete to the highest level he can, and win.
“His greatest moment, I think, was against Dallas, intercepting a pass on one play, and the first play the next time he was on the field, intercepting another one.
“He may have changed game by showing the importance and necessity of studying opponents as to what they do, when they do it, and how they do it.”
Both of Kuechly’s parents cried nearby as he spoke from a giant stage.
“Mom and dad, there’s not enough words to thank you or every sacrifice you made,” Kuechly said. “Thank you for giving me a home where effort, humility and gratitude mattered.”
Here’s a look at Kuechly’s career highlights as he’s enshrined as part of the five-man Class of 2026 that received their gold jackets Friday night before unveiling their bronze busts Saturday.
Luke Kuechly’s Hall of Fame presenter
His dad, Tom, will be his presenter today. Tom was in tears by the time he joined Luke to reveal his bronze bust. “I don’t have to cry because you already have,” Luke said as he started his remarks.
Where did Luke Kuechly play high school football in Ohio?
Kuechly starred at Cincinnati St. Xavier High School, one of the state’s premier programs. He helped the Bombers win the OHSAA state championship in Division I his junior year in 2007.
Where did Luke Kuechly play college football?
Kuechly emerged as one of the top defensive players in college football at Boston College
When was Luke Kuechly drafted?
Carolina picked Kuechly at No. 9 overall in the 2012 draft.
Luke Kuechly’s stats
Kuechly surpassed 100 tackles every season of his eight-year NFL career. He set a Panthers record with 202 tackles in his rookie year. He was credited with 26 tackles in a 2013 game against the New Orleans Saints to set an NFL record. He also made 18 career interceptions in the regular season, returning one for a touchdown. He returned one fumble for a TD, too.
Kuechly helped Carolina to four playoff appearances, highlighted by reaching Super Bowl 50. The Panthers, who went 15-1 in that 2015 regular season, lost 24-10 to the Peyton Manning-led Denver Broncos. Kuechly had a pick six in each of the Panthers’ two wins that postseason.
Luke Kuechly’s NFL honors
Kuechly was selected to seven Pro Bowls in his eight NFL seasons. He was First Team All-Pro five times and the 2013 Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year. He won the Butkus Award as the NFL’s top linebacker three times and was the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Kuechly received the Art Rooney Award for sportsmanship in 2017.
Is Luke Kuechly the youngest Hall of Famer?
Kuechly is 35, making him the second-youngest Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee. Gale Sayers is the youngest, being just 34 when he was enshrined in 1977. Kuechly retired at the age of 28 after suffering several concussions throughout his career.
Who is in the 2026 Hall of Fame class along with Luke Kuechly?
In addition to Kuechly, the Class of 2026 also features Drew Brees, Roger Craig, Larry Fitzgerald and Adam Vinatieri.
When is the NFL Hall of Fame Enshrinement?
The Enshrinement is noon Saturday, Aug. 8, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
The Canton Repository sports department can be contacted via email at sports@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Luke Kuechly savors his HOF moment during Enshrinement speech
Reporting by Steve Doerschuk, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Steve Doerschuk, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
