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CANTON, Ohio. (WBTV) - A Carolina Panthers legend will be forever enshrined in bronze on Saturday as he will be joining the legends of pro football in Canton, Ohio.
On Saturday, Aug. 7, Panthers legend Luke Kuechly will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the 2026 class. Kuechly, will be joined by NFC South Division rival quarterback Drew Brees, kicker Adam Vinatieri, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and running back Roger Craig.
Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) runs onto the field before the start of...
Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) runs onto the field before the start of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
The 2026 Enshrinement ceremony is scheduled to start at noon on Saturday at Tome Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. It can be watched on ESPN and the NFL Network.
Kuechly will join Panthers legends Julius Peppers and Sam Mills in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Several other people spent time with the Panthers are also in the Hall of Fame include Kevin Greene, Reggie White, Jared Allen and Bill Polian.
FILE - Carolina Panthers linebacker Sam Mills, front, celebrates with teammate Matt Elliott...
FILE - Carolina Panthers linebacker Sam Mills, front, celebrates with teammate Matt Elliott after his interception in the final moments of the Panthers' 26-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., in this Sunday Jan. 5, 1997, file photo.
Legendary defensive end Julius Peppers is one of 10 former Panthers to be nominated for the...
Legendary defensive end Julius Peppers is one of 10 former Panthers to be nominated for the 2024 Hall of Fame class.
The former Panthers linebacker chose his dad, Tom Kuechly, as the person will who will give a speech before Luke Kuechly’s bronze bust is revealed.
The No. 9 overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft will became one of the youngest players to ever be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the age of 35.
The former Boston College standout played in 125 career games across the regular season and playoffs during his eight seasons in the league.
He was selected as a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2010s, he won the Butkus Award three times in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
Kuechly was a seven-time All-Pro, including being named a First-Team All-Pro five times and was the 2012 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. He was named the 2013 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
He finished with over a thousand combined tackles with 690 solo tackles. Kuechly added 75 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.
Full circle moment
Kuechly will be joined in Canton by former NFC South Division rival, quarterback Drew Brees. The two faced off a total of 16 times in the regular season and have an 8-8 record against each other.
During the 16 times in the regular season Kuechly has only one interception off of Brees.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) points to Carolina Panthers middle linebacker...
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) points to Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) during an NFL game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly (59) lookls over the offense as he waits for New Orleans...
Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly (59) lookls over the offense as he waits for New Orleans...
Brees was the second quarterback that Kuechly ever faced in his NFL career and it was a win the Saints in the second game of the 2012 season.
The last team that Kuechly faced in his career was...Brees and the Saints.
One of the things that Kuechly said the most difficult that to defend when he faced Brees was his accuracy, ball placement, anticipation and understanding everything.
Brees is second all-time in passing yards and passing touchdowns behind NFL legend Tom Brady. He was named a two-time offensive player of the year, although Kuechly, was not in the league yet.
He also brought the first Super Bowl to New Orleans and was named Super Bowl MVP.
Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) hits New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew...
Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) hits New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)