CHARLOTTE – The league leader among tight ends in catches and the league leader in catching ballcarriers have been selected to represent the Panthers in the Pro Bowl.
Tight end Greg Olsen and linebacker Luke Kuechly were chosen to play in the game, scheduled for January 25, 2015.
This marks Olsen's first Pro Bowl selection. Among tight ends, he is tied for the NFL lead with a career-high 82 receptions, ranks second with a career-high 981 yards, and is tied for sixth with six touchdowns.
But Olsen, an eight-year veteran in his fourth season with the Panthers, is about more than statistics. He does all the little things and a little bit of everything – and he does them all well.
"It's a tremendous honor to be selected to the Pro Bowl and be recognized by your peers, the coaches and the fans," Olsen said. "It's something that every player thinks about at one point in time. I'm very thankful and feel very fortunate to be a part of it."
Kuechly has been a part of it before. The third-year linebacker played in the Pro Bowl last season when he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He led the NFL in tackles in 2012 to earn NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Again this season, he leads the league with 145 tackles based on press box statistics.
"It's always an honor to be recognized by fellow players, coaches and fans. I don't take this for granted," Kuechly said. "A lot of the credit goes to my teammates, coaches and Carolina Panthers organization. Without those guys this wouldn't be possible.
"I'm excited about this opportunity, and I'm excited for Greg to be a part of his first Pro Bowl."
