One of them was Hunter Renfrow, the 29-year-old wide receiver. The Panthers are in a rebuilding stage and have decided to go with a younger lineup. They chose to carry seven wide receivers, making Renfrow a casualty. It’s a pretty important moment for the player. After missing the entirety of the 2024 season from complications caused by ulcerative colitis, he is now in the midst of an improbable comeback.
Renfrow found himself battling for his life. At the time of his treatment, he was losing a considerable amount of weight. He went from 185 pounds down to only 150 pounds. Ulcerative colitis leads to inflammation and sores, or ulcers, in the innermost lining of the large intestine. This condition greatly hampered his ability to play. Renfrow’s route precision and football IQ earned him praise from the Panthers coaching staff throughout training camp, despite these obstacles. His route running and ability to create separation on the field drew positive remarks, highlighting his potential as a valuable asset.
Prior to his stint on the Panthers’ practice squad, Renfrow was cut by the Las Vegas Raiders. He had established himself in New Orleans and garnered a selection to the 2021 Pro Bowl. His journey has by any means been a smooth one, and he has shared his frustrations with feeling like he’s come up short over his previous seasons.
“I felt so bad those two years, and I felt like I let my teammates down so much,” – Hunter Renfrow
As the Panthers finalize their roster decisions going into the season, Renfrow will likely have a chance to stick around to keep his professional career alive. He could still land on the practice squad. This will be his best chance to show what he’s made of and to bounce back from adversity in the age group.
Looking back on his state of mind during this period of transition, Renfrow said maintaining direction was key.
“Honestly, I’m not lying, I have not thought about [being cut], because you can’t. If you worry about things like that, you’re not getting any better.” – Hunter Renfrow
Yet Renfrow’s home, which sits on the South Carolina coastline, is only four hours away from Charlotte. That deep, personal connection to land and place really makes this journey special. For Black, his impending release from the Panthers is a major setback. In doing so, it develops new potentialities for the realization of his professional vocation.
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