Panthers LB Kamu Grugier-Hill focuses as Hawaii burns

PHOTO | TROY HULL

Carolina Panthers linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill has excelled during training camp, even while wildfires have laid waste to his native Hawaii.

Moments after the Carolina Panthers suffered a 27-0 loss to the New York Jets Saturday in the preseason opener at Bank of America Stadium, linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill stood in front of his locker to collect his emotions.

The game hurt and that was one thing.

Life was another.

A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, Grugier-Hill has deeper concerns, thinking about family and friends who are suffering so much more with parts of Hawaii burning to the ground.

As fruitless as the offense looked in coach Frank Reich’s first game on the Panthers’ sideline, Grugier-Hill has felt more hopeless not being able to lend a hand.

“You almost feel helpless,” he said. “We have family and friends who have been immediately impacted, cousins whose mom and sister who completely lost everything.  

“It’s bad, man. Probably the worst tragedy to hit Hawaii.”

‘It’s the hardest thing … not being there'

Personally, Grugier-Hill thanked “God none of my immediate family” has been affected by the fires that have ravaged parts of his home state, burning entire communities and leaving a reported 85 dead as of Saturday evening.

“We live in Oahu, it’s a different island, but it’s the hardest thing, for sure, not being there,” he said. “It’s crazy.  You want to go over there and help, do whatever you can. You just can’t, right?”

Nobody helped the Panthers’ offense against the Jets.  

Not top overall draft pick Bryce Young, who played the first three series and generated only one first down.  

And certainly not third-string quarterback Matt Corral, who failed to generate any points against the Jets’ second- and third-team defenders.  

Playing in a half-empty stadium (71,021 tickets were distributed) where the temperature at kickoff was 93 degrees, the Panthers generated just 22 yards on their first 14 plays from scrimmage. It was Carolina’s first preseason shutout since 2000 at Pittsburgh.

All that was bad.

But Grugier-Hill had other concerns. Bigger problems.

After the game, his attention immediately turned back to his home state.

“You really (want) be there for these people,” he said. “Help anyway you can.”

To a lesser degree, the eighth-year professional is still trying to find his NFL home. The Panthers are his sixth franchise. Through offseason workouts and training camp, Grugier-Hill has been called an offseason standout.

“He's a guy who has made the most of every opportunity,” backup quarterback Andy Dalton said Thursday via Zoom call. “He has the most interceptions on the team. He has done a great job.”

Hopes for a new NFL home

Starting on special teams Saturday, Grugier-Hill was the first defender to reach the 40-yard line on the opening kickoff and took on a block, forcing the kick returner to head to the wide side of the field where Amare Barno made the tackle.

After the Panthers’ opening drive fizzled under Young, Grugier-Hill was credited with a tackle, engulfing Xavier Gipson with both arms.

Grugier-Hill played three first-half series with the No. 2 defense. His best effort came when he read a play over the middle, forcing an incomplete pass to Malik Taylor.

As a veteran, he understands what he must do to find an NFL home.

“I love it here,” Grugier-Hill said. “Early in my career, I was chasing a personal goal. I wanted to be the true starter. I was chasing this. I was hopping around trying to find my fit.”
He may have found it with the Panthers.

While his teammates will watch Saturday’s game video, diagnose problems and move on before Friday’s game at the New York Giants, Grugier-Hill will also be busy attempting to do what he can to help those in ravaged Hawaii.

He certainly has the support of the Panthers.

“Our hearts are out to him and his family,” Reich said. “It’s a tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Anything we can do to help out, we’re working through all those discussions.”

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