Even before he signed, there was a great deal of mutual respect between the Carolina Panthers and Gerald McCoy.
As a division rival for nearly a decade, McCoy proved a worthy adversary, even if his team did not. When news that the Panthers were signing McCoy broke several players openly celebrated on Twitter. The guy who seems to be closest with McCoy is guard Trai Turner.
After McCoy was released, Turner shared a message of respect on Twitter, calling McCoy a real life savage who offered “real battles” twice a year. Apparently, their ties are deep. McCoy told Turner that he’d be great and eventually make the Pro Bowl while facing him in his first NFL game back in 2014, per Kelli Bartik at WCCB.
Turner later confirmed the story himself.
Turner has gone on to play in four Pro Bowls. Meanwhile, McCoy has appeared in six.
