Kawann Short, a former defensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers, will be recognized as the Legend of the Week during Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. Short, who played for the Panthers from 2013 to 2020, will participate in the team’s tradition by hitting the Keep Pounding drum before the fourth quarter.
Short was previously invited back to perform this role in 2023. This time, he noted that there is a new energy surrounding both the city and his former team. “Yeah, it’s definitely different, and the atmosphere is crazy right now,” Short said when asked about returning to Charlotte.
He described how fans in Charlotte have responded to him since his retirement: “Literally, if someone doesn’t know me and they ask if I used to play ball, you know, sometimes I tell the truth, sometimes I don’t. But the people that I do know in the city of Charlotte, man, they’re just fired up, and you can just hear the energy in their voice and how they’re excited. They like to see what the Panthers are doing right now.”
Reflecting on conversations with fans who may not recognize him immediately, Short said: “It’s a lot, it’s quite often, honestly. I mean, I don’t go around saying I used to do this, I used to do that… You understand that you’re blessed to be in that position to have played this game at a high level…”
Joking about his anonymity at times after football: “Back in the day, honestly, I used to say I’m a security guard at Bank of America. I never said which one… But you know… you have to guess that yourself.”
During his career with Carolina after being drafted in 2013’s second round (44th overall), Short contributed significantly during three consecutive playoff appearances—including their Super Bowl run following a 15-1 season in 2015—and earned All-Pro honors as well as two Pro Bowl selections.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s matchup against New Orleans Saints (the team website lists current all-time leaders among defensive linemen for tackles), Derrick Brown—who began his career alongside Short—is expected soon to surpass Short’s own franchise mark for tackles by a defensive lineman.
On Brown’s development since their shared season together: “My god, man… When I was in the league still… just seeing him go from a rookie to who he is now… it’s just amazing…” He continued: “You just see him day in and day out hustling … taking on double teams … hauling down quarterbacks…”
Recalling Brown’s demeanor as a rookie: “Quiet… And just seeing that…if you stay low…you would dominate 99 percent of these guards and these tackles…” He added praise for Brown’s progression into leadership: “…he’s stepping into a leadership role of his own and understanding the game more…”
When asked whether anyone else threw offensive linemen around like Brown does now: “No… Every week he’s throwing somebody out the club… that’s rare…”
Short also spoke about what it takes for this year’s Panthers squad—led by players such as Bryce Young—to improve further. He emphasized consistency over star power: “…it doesn’t necessarily have to be the best of the best. It’s got to be person with most heart … Right now these guys are playing at a high level…”
Regarding changes within Bank of America Stadium’s atmosphere compared with previous years: “…I think at end of day they’ve got understand this is not an easy job… we’re that team right now that’s still trying find an identity…”
Finally reflecting on participating again in one of Carolina’s signature traditions—the Keep Pounding drum—Short highlighted its meaning: “…the mantra of Keep Pounding … it’s just going live forever in Carolinas because that’s who we are….that’s who we are as organization that doesn’t doubt … we Keep Pounding until very end.”
