He says the decision to quit playing the game he loves was super tough.
"In my heart I know it's the right thing to do," Kuechly says."There's only one way to play this game since I was a little kid, is to play fast, play physical and play strong. And, at this point, I don't know if I am able to do that anymore. That's the part that's the most difficult."
Kuechly was a stud on the field with Carolina ... making 7 Pro Bowls and earning 5 first-team All-Pro honors. He was the NFL's defensive player of the year in 2013 and the defensive rookie of the year in 2012.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Star Wars star Mark Hamill quits Facebook, accuses Mark Zuckerberg of putting profits over 'truthfulness'Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, says he quit Facebook because it allows political ads to spread misinformation and falsehoods.
Read more »
Vote for Which Star Was Best Dressed at the Critics' Choice Awards!Were you living for Zendaya's pink ensemble or Florence Pugh's glistening gown? Sound off on which star you think was best dressed at last night's Critics' Choice Awards.
Read more »
'Glee' Star Dot Jones Recovering After Emergency Heart Surgery'Glee' star Dot Jones underwent emergency heart surgery and is now recovering.
Read more »
Stan Kirsch, 'Highlander' TV Star, Dead at 51Stan Kirsch's death has been ruled a suicide.
Read more »