At just 28 years old, former Carolina Panthers star Luke Kuechly announced his retirement in January. The seven-time Pro Bowler — who was at the peak of his career — shocked the entire football world with his decision.

Now, the 2020 season will be the first campaign Kuechly is going to watch as a retired football star. However, he admits that it's going to be difficult.

In his eight years in the NFL, Kuechly endured several concussions, which may be the main reason for his early retirement. Like all athletes, walking away from the sport they love is a tough decision. As such, he's hoping to stay around the sport as he moves forward.

“I love the game of football, I love everything about it, I love the studying aspect, I love the team aspect. … I’m gonna miss the interaction, the guys, you know, every day,” the ex-Panthers linebacker told NBC, as transcribed by Greg Joyce of the New York Post.

“I know when the season comes around I’m going to have that pit in my stomach knowing that, man, I wish I was still out there, but I think you look at it in the sense that you have a long life to live, what’s the best thing for right now? You have to make hard decisions in your life, I think this is one of the harder ones I’ve had to make. Hopefully I can find a way to stay involved in football somehow.”

In his relatively short stint as a pro with the Panthers, Luke Kuechly quickly made an impact as a defensive lineman. He was crowned 2013 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, all while earning First-Team All-Pro selections five times Second-Team All-Pro two times.