Introducing Carolina receiver Ricky Proehl

Ricky Proehl was about to run an out route to retirement last year, but he ran into a double team and couldn't break into the clear.

While coach John Fox was telling the 15-year veteran that the Panthers still needed his experience and influence, fellow receiver Steve Smith — Proehl's star pupil — was telling Proehl's wife the same thing.

So just like that, the 37-year-old decided he had to return for his 16th season.

Proehl has been around so long that he caught his first touchdown pass in the NFL from Timm Rosenbach, when the team in Arizona was known as the Phoenix Cardinals.

Back then, Proehl appeared to be a rising star.

But the Cardinals let him go after five seasons, and he went on to spend 1995 and 1996 in Seattle, a season in Chicago and five more in St. Louis before signing with the Panthers in 2003.

Proehl has come up big in championship games before. He made the memorable, winning touchdown catch against Tampa Bay in the NFC Championship Game to put the Rams in the Super Bowl during the 1999 season.

Introducing you to a Carolina Panther


Ricky Proehl

Position: Receiver. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.:190.

College: Wake Forest. Signed: From St. Louis, 2003.

"He means so much because, one, he's been there before; two, he makes plays for us whenever we need it in crucial situations," Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme said. "But he takes care of himself ... and the young guys, especially receiver-wise, they follow him. Ricky's been in these big situations ... so you want to listen to a guy like that."

Chris Cluff