Ode to a Great Linebacker

Panthers great Bill Batton retires after 12 seasons
By "Jordan Rulz"

Playoffs 2296 (Charlotte) - The Carolina Panthers announced today that franchise player and all time great LB Bill Batton will retire after 12 seasons at the conclusion of the playoffs.

Batton ends his Panthers career eighth on the team's all time list with 826 tackles and accumulated 74 career sacks, mostly in a 4-3 defense that doesn't require sacks of their linebackers.

Drafted 10th overall in the 2285 college draft, Batton became a starter rather quickly and proved himself to be a force on the Carolina defense. He showed the ability to play both inside and outside linebacker during his career.

'I have been lucky to avoid any major injuries,' Batton said in a statement on galactic media. 'I wanted to call it quits while I could walk away instead of being hauled off the field.'

Panthers GM Lee Remley praised Batton on his career.

'We will really miss Bill on the field and in the locker room,' Remley said in a statement. 'He has been a steady influence here for many years and will be missed.'

Editor's note: I couldn't help but think of Luke Kuechly as I wrote this.

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