Panthers' Kuechly Announces Plans To Retire

Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly announced Tuesday night that he plans to retire from the NFL. The 28-year-old fought back tears in a video posted on social media, saying, “There's only one way to play this game since I was a little kid -- play fast, play physical and play strong. And at this point I don't know if I am able to do that anymore.” Kuechly didn't explain why he can't play that way anymore, but ESPN noted that from 2015 to 2017, he missed seven games due to concussions.

 

Antonio Gates Retires

Antonio Gates officially announced his retirement Tuesday after 16 seasons in the NFL, all of them with the Chargers. The 39-year-old tight end didn't actually play last year, and was mostly a part-time starter or backup in the previous four years. Gates is seventh among all players in NFL history with 116 touchdown catches, the most of any tight end.

 

Humphries Files Lawsuit

Former Penn State football player Isaiah Humphries has filed a federal lawsuit against the school, coach James Franklin and ex-teammate Damion Barber for hazing. The suit charges Humphries was subject to hazing brought on by Barber and three other players, and the coaching staff was aware of it and didn't protect him. The alleged hazing included: wrestling underclassmen to the ground and simulating "humping" and putting genitals on underclassmen's faces. Penn State released a statement saying the claims were not substantiated, and no charges were filed by the district attorney. 

 

Johnson To Try Out As Kicker

Former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson announced on Twitter that he's going to try out as a kicker for the new XFL next Monday. The 42-year-old Johnson, who hasn't played in the NFL since 2011, played 11 seasons, 10 of them with the Cincinnati Bengals, but his in-game kicking experience is limited to an extra point and kick-off during the 2009 preseason.