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Common Threads: Top Players To Suit Up For Both The Seahawks & Panthers

With so many players playing for multiple franchises throughout their careers, here are some standouts to sport the Seahawks and Panthers jerseys.

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A total of 41 players have played for both the Seahawks and their Week 3 opponent, the Carolina Panthers, who joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1995. Seattle will sport the Super Bowl XLVIII uniform combo in commemoration of the 10-year anniversary of bringing home the team's first championship. Ahead of Sunday's matchup, here are the Top-10 players (in no particular order) that sported both jerseys and made an impact for both franchises.

K John Kasay

In 1991, Seattle selected Georgia Bulldogs kicker John Kasay No. 198 overall. Kasay earned All-Rookie honors from the Pro Football Writers Association (PFWA), after making 25-31 attempts (80%). In four seasons with the Seahawks, Kasay led the team in scoring every year, currently ranked at No.11 all-time (341) in team history. In 1995, Kasay signed with the expansion Carolina Panthers, remaining with the franchise for 15 seasons. This week, Kasay heard his name called once again as a nominee for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Kasay is one of several players on the list to sport three jerseys in their career, finishing with the New Orleans Saints in 2011.

CB Ken Lucas

Cornerback Ken Lucas was selected No. 40 overall by Seattle in 2001 following a standout career at Ole Miss. Over his first four seasons with the Seahawks, Lucas nabbed 12 interceptions over 62 games. Signing with Carolina in 2005 as an unrestricted free agent, Lucas started 15 games in his first year with the Panthers. That postseason, Carolina would fall to Seattle in the NFC Championship. Over four seasons with Carolina, Lucas recorded 13 interceptions across 59 starts. Lucas sported two jerseys in his career, finishing his career with Seattle in 2009.

LB Eugene Robinson

Colgate safety Eugene Robinson rose up the Seahawks depth chart in 1985 after going undrafted, spending 11 seasons with the franchise and starting 152 contests. The Seahawks 35th Anniversary Team member spent a season each with the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons, before signing with Carolina in 2000 at 37-years-old. Starting 16 games, Robinson combined for 77 tackles, one interception, a forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.

S Deon Grant

Tennessee alum Deon Grant played 11 seasons in the NFL at safety, being selected No. 57 overall by Carolina in 2001. Grant proved to be a ballhawk early, recording five interceptions as a rookie and 11 overall in three seasons with the Panthers. After spending the following three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Grant signed with Seattle in 2007. A position change to from free to strong safety didn't slow down Grant's production, recording eight interceptions and 325 combined tackles in three seasons.

LB Dean Wells

Linebacker Dean Wells didn't start immediately for Seattle after being drafted in 1993, but by his third season, he'd earned his keep. In six seasons with the Seahawks, Wells played 84 games & started 50. In that span, he combined for 330 tackles, four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles & 2.0 sacks. In 1999, Wells took his talents to Carolina, playing out the final three seasons of his career.

LB Bruce Irvin

In 2012, Seattle selected a key puzzle piece to their Super Bowl XLVIII Championship team, selecting West Virginia outside linebacker Bruce Irvin No. 15 overall. Over his 12-year career, Irvin spent three stints with Seattle, (2012-16, 2020, 2022) spending time with the Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears & Carolina. In 2019, Irvin played his lone season with the Panthers, recording a career-high 8.5 sacks and forcing his first safety.

RB Michael Bates

The Seahawks drafted a future Olympic medalist when they selected running back Michael Bates in the sixth round of the 1992 draft. But after being used primarily as a return man and receiver at the University of Arizona, Bates' initial focus was on the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. In 1989 and 1990, Bates captured consecutive Pac-10 championships in the 100 and 200 meters. After earning a spot on the team by beating nine-time Gold Medalist Carl Lewis in the qualifier, Bates earned a bronze medal in the 200-meter dash (20.38s). In his first two seasons with Seattle, Bates established himself as a return specialist. In two seasons, Bates averaged 19.8 yards per return, before moving to the Cleveland Browns in 1995. After one season, the move to Carolina via free agency would see Bates take his game to another level. In all five seasons spent with the Panthers, Bates was named to the Pro Bowl as a specialist, earning All-Pro honors in 1996 (first team) and 1997 (second team). In five seasons with the Panthers, Bates took five returns back for touchdowns, averaging 25.7 yards per return.

TE Greg Olsen

NFL broadcaster and former tight end Greg Olsen was selected by the Chicago Bears No. 31 overall in 2007. After four seasons in the Windy City, Olsen was traded to Carolina for a draft pick. The University of Miami alum would have a major impact for the Panthers, earning three Pro Bowl selections and helping the team reach Super Bowl 50 in 2015.

In 2020, Seattle inked Olsen to a one-year deal, and in 11 contests, the 35-year-old caught 24 passes for 239 yards and the final touchdown of his career.

TE Ed Dickson

Similar to Olsen, tight end Ed Dickson sported three jerseys in his career, being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2010, before joining Carolina in 2014. Dickson also was part of the Carolina Panthers' 2015 team to face the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50. After four seasons in Carolina, Dickson made Seattle his final stop in 2018. Across 10 games, Dickson caught 12 passes for three touchdowns.

T Chris Terry

In the second round of the 1999 draft, Carolina selected Georgia Bulldogs tackle Chris Terry. The all-rookie selection made 57 starts in four seasons, before being released midseason in 2002. After signing with Seattle, Terry played in 25 games, making 23 starts.

The Seahawks and Panthers face off on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Panthers.

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