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Luke Kuechly jerseys are selling like hotcakes

Posted at 11:10 AM, Jan 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-26 11:16:24-05

CINCINNATI -- He's got a tricky name to pronounce, but that's not stopping people from buying his jersey.

Luke Kuechly -- Cincinnati native, St. Xavier High School graduate and Super Bowl-bound linebacker for the Carolina Panthers -- now has the sixth best-selling jersey in the NFL, according to NFLShop.com.

Kuechly, the ninth pick in the 2012 draft, became an instant sensation for the Panthers. The Boston College star led the NFL in tackles (164, 103 solo) as a rookie and was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. A year later, he won AP Defensive Player of the Year. In 2014, he led the NFL in tackles again (153, 99 solo). He has been All-Pro three years running.

After the Panthers' win over the Cardinals on Sunday, Kuechly became the first NFL player with a pick-six in back-to-back playoffs games. He had one against the Packers the week before to go with four other interceptions during the regular season.

"Luke never ceases to amaze me," St. X coach Steve Specht said after watching one of his former stars shine in the NFC Championship game Sunday night. "He's special."

The All-Pro linebacker didn't just score a pick-six to help lead his team over the Arizona Cardinals and into Super Bowl 50. He stopped his celebration to help a fan who fell out of the stands. The fan had leaned over the railing to give Kuechly a high-five and Kuechly helped him to his feet.

The only players selling more jerseys than Kuechly are Tom Brady, Odell Beckham Jr., Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton.

 

Greg Noble contributed to this report.