Panthers ‘leader’ Russell Okung shares his thoughts on COVID concerns, health
Russell Okung started his Zoom call with local Charlotte media by giving a shout out to all of his fellow offensive linemen.
In a short period of time, Okung has developed into a leader of the Carolina Panthers’ offense. Panthers head coach Matt Rhule referred to him as having a “tremendous, tremendous, tremendous ... quiet leadership.”
But the left tackle’s name has been in the headlines for more than his presence in the team’s virtual meeting rooms and on the offensive line. After coming to Carolina in a trade that sent guard Trai Turner to the Chargers, Okung’s presence and impact have been highly anticipated. On Tuesday, for the first time, he spoke on the issues that have been circling around him.
A couple of weeks ago, a report came out that Okung, who suffered a pulmonary embolism from blood clots last June, was considering retiring from the NFL due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Observer reported that while Okung had considered opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, retirement was not currently being considered and would only be thought of if things got out of hand with the virus. Otherwise his agent, J.I. Halsell, said he is committed to the team.
“In uncertain times, players have to keep all their options open,” Halsell told The Observer. “But for as long as it makes medical sense for Russ and his health, again, he’s completely committed to the Panthers.”
Okung, 31, responded to the idea that he was considering retiring in a similar manner.
“No conversations like that have been had in order for that individual to feel it necessary to put any information out there like that. And especially during this time when so many people, Americans, across the world are dealing with unemployment, to even put any sort of source of information out there, it’s extremely disappointing,” Okung said. “I get an opportunity to do something that I love that so many people across the world are unemployed or going through some really difficult situations. And my heart definitely goes out to them, but as for me, I still have a job. So you get a chance to report it every morning, doing something that I’ve been gifted to do. And I’m going to put my best foot forward and continue to do that, regardless of the situation.”
Although the team had two players opt out of the 2020 season, Jordan Mack and Christian Miller, the Panthers are one of the few teams that have not had to place a single player on the league’s reserve/COVID-19 list, which is for players who either test positive for COVID-19 or are in close contact with someone who has.
“I think the Panthers are doing the best they can possibly do in order to maintain a safe workplace for everyone, but not just the players, but the employees and the coaches all across the board. And I think that’s all they can do,” Okung said.
The Pro Bowl tackle is on the last year of his deal and is due over $13 million this season. The Panthers are looking for him to fill a hole at left tackle that they have been unable to successfully fill, especially after the injury-riddled season that 2019 second-round pick Greg Little had last season.
Okung has been dealing with some lower-back tightness, which resulted in him leaving training camp practice early Sunday and Monday based on a plan developed by team trainer Kevin King. He ended up playing more than even he expected at practice Tuesday, with Okung sharing that he appreciates the way that the Panthers have prioritized him staying healthy for a 16-game season, after he played just six games last year.
“I tried to send him in (from practice), I said, ‘Hey, OK, you’re good.’ He said, ‘No, I want a couple reps of this.’ He’s a veteran, so he knows what he needs more than anyone else,” Rhule said Tuesday. “We have GPS monitors on him, and we’re trying to keep him between a half and two thirds of the load of everybody else. He’s just got a lot more reps on him over the years ... he gets what he needs. We can get him half the reps and then get Greg Little in there for more. What a great thing for Greg as he continues to develop.”
Although the Panthers are being careful now, there is no concern about his health going into the season. And while the length of Okung’s tenure with the Panthers is still unknown, he has been making a positive impact in his first Carolina camp.
“People talk a lot about leadership. And I’ll say it again, it’s not about giving speeches, it’s about helping other players play better. That’s really all it is, right? So who helps other players play better both from a coaching staff perspective and a player perspective,” Rhule said. “And a guy like Russell, who takes guys out there and works with them ... he has an impact on them and helps them play better and that’s leadership in its truest form.”
