CINCINNATI — Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, a 2009 St. Xavier High School graduate, was named Monday to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
The NFL and the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 52 players and two head coaches.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, a former University of Cincinnati standout, along with Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins were also named to the team.
Kuechly announced his retirement Jan. 14 after eight seasons including seven Pro Bowl appearances with the Panthers.
He was the Associated Press' third-youngest NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012 and its youngest-ever NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. He also helped the Panthers reach their second-ever Super Bowl appearance in 2015.
Kuechly's talent on the field was evident even as a linebacker and safety for St. Xavier, which he attended from 2005-2009. He helped propel his team to a Division I title and an undefeated record in 2007.
Kelce, who helped the Chiefs to a Super Bowl title this past season, was at UC from 2008-12.
He started at quarterback with UC and later made the the move to tight end. He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2013 NFL Draft with the first pick of the third round, the No. 61 choice overall.
Kelce was one of the top tight ends in the country in 2012, earning first-team all-Big East honors and finished as UC's leading receiver with 45 catches for 722 yards and eight scores.
Atkins, who has been with the Bengals since 2010, had 47 tackles including 4 1/2 sacks in 2019.
