Carolina Panthers

Luke Kuechly, aka Captain America? Only if you ask Cam Newton

Published Jan. 19, 2016 11:44 p.m. ET

foxsports

Pro Bowl linebacker Luke Kuechly of the Carolina Panthers isn't one for nicknames, but that doesn't mean that quarterback Cam Newton hasn't taken it upon himself to give him one.

When asked about Kuechly's nickname, Newton had a pretty quick response, and obviously has thought about this before.

Via David Newton of ESPN:

"He has the smile, the charisma, the lawyer look, but he has like a demolition mentality," Newton said at the time. "He's like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

"But in my eyes, he'll always be ‘Captain America' because he makes every play."

It fits, really well actually. Unfortunately, Kuechly isn't very interested in a nickname, and when asked about choosing one for himself, he said he didn't need one.

"I don't need a nickname," Kuechly said. "My name is Luke."

For what it's worth, fans, coaches and Newton himself will probably care very little about whether or not Kuechly ever gets a nickname if he continues to play at the level that he has throughout his young NFL career.

Jeff Smith writes about the NFL for FOX Sports. You can find him on Twitter @JSM8ith.