Panthers legend Luke Kuechly will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer.
The seven-time All-Pro linebacker was announced as part of the Class of 2026 during NFL Honors Thursday night in San Francisco. Kuechly earned induction in just his second year of eligibility.
When he was brought in to hear the news, he responded in Luke’s classic humble and heartwarming way – a simple “aww…cool man…”
When Luke Kuechly stepped into his kitchen, everything changed. See his Hall of Fame moment in “Hall of Fame Knocks: Class of 2026,” on NFL Network, Saturday, Feb. 7, at 10 p.m. EST. Class of 2026 presented by @visualedgeit. @LukeKuechly @Panthers @NFL @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/ouOxb1B0CT
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) February 6, 2026
Kuechly, who turns 35 in April, will now become the second-youngest inductee ever, trailing only Gale Sayers. Drafted ninth overall by Carolina in 2012, the Boston College product made an immediate impact, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. He followed with Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2013.
Although injuries shortened his career to eight seasons, Kuechly totaled 1,092 tackles and 18 interceptions. He earned All-Pro honors seven times, a rate matched by only a few all-time greats.
Kuechly is the first Panthers draft pick to spend his entire career in Carolina and reach Canton.
The enshrinement ceremony will take place this summer in Canton, Ohio.
