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DK Metcalf says Luke Kuechly gave him his welcome to the NFL, rookie moment

Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf shares a quick story about getting punked by Panthers legend Luke Kuechly.
Tim Weaver|
Sep 24, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll talks with wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) during a third quarter timeout against the Carolina Panthers at Lumen Field.
Sep 24, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll talks with wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) during a third quarter timeout against the Carolina Panthers at Lumen Field. | Joe Nicholson-Imagn

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Carolina Panthers

There are a bunch of better wide receivers around the NFL but there are very few better all-around athletes than PIttsburgh Steelers wideout DK Metcalf. Originally a 2019 second-round draft pick by the Seattle Seahawks, Metcalf has an extremely rare combination of size, strength, speed and explosiveness - making it very difficutl for defenders to keep up, let alone actually lay hands on him. There are exceptions, though.

Metcalf was recently a guest on the Get Got podcast hosted by Marshawn Lynch and Mike Robinson. At one point DK shared a story about getting his welcome to the NFL, rookie moment from Carolina Panthers legend Luke Kuechly. Watch.

DK Metcalf on Luke Kuechly

Kuechly was a pretty impressve athlete himself for his position, but what made him truly great was his ferocity. While Kuechly mostly gets credit for his creepy high football IQ, what seems to stand out most to the guys who competed against him was how hard he brought it. As much as anyone who's played linebacker in the modern era and isn't named Ray Lewis, Kuechly's oppnents have often shared similar anecdotes - that being some variation of when Kuechly hit you, you knew it.

As Metcalf mentioned, that's a Hall of Famer. He should have been on in the first ballot but he will get in eventually.

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Tim Weaver
TIM WEAVER

Tim Weaver has been writing about the NFL since the 2013 season for multiple teams and outlets, including USA Today and The Sporting News. He currently covers the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers for On SI.