NFL teams spend hours mastering playbooks, watching film, and fine-tuning communication on the field. But sometimes, the biggest challenge isn’t about reading defenses—it’s understanding your own teammates. When the Carolina Panthers drafted WR Xavier Legette in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, they expected him to bring speed, strength, and big-play ability. What they didn’t expect? That half the receiver room wouldn’t have a clue what he was saying.
Legette, a South Carolina native with a thick Southern drawl, left coaches and teammates completely baffled every time he spoke. The team needed a translator. Enter Adam Thielen. In a recent interview, the veteran wideout revealed his unexpected role in team meetings. Somehow, the Minnesota-born Thielen—who spent most of his career in the Midwest—is the only one who understands him. Why? No one knows. But it turns out, their connection goes beyond just breaking down Legette’s accent.
During his appearance on the March 3 episode of the More Than Athletes show, the veteran revealed the hilarious scene. He said, “In receiver meetings, no one knows what he’s saying except me. So, coach (Rob) Moore will literally ask him a question. Xavier (Legette) will respond. and then coach will immediately look to me like, what did he say? And I have to translate and then everyone’s like, why are you the one who’s translating? It doesn’t make any sense. But for some reason, I just understand what he’s saying.” The hosts of the show burst out laughing.
THIS IS WILD#Panthers veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen has to TRANSLATE what rookie WR Xavier Legette says in meetings because he has a heavy southern country accent.
No one on the team can understand what Legette’s saying, except Adam. pic.twitter.com/2ZWUGx74CZ
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) March 4, 2025
However, this is not about the words only. Their connection goes far beyond translator duties. It’s more about the heart to heart moments. Xavier Legette played 16 games (13 as a starter) in his rookie year, with 49 receptions for 497 yards and 4 TDs. There was one particular game in which he was disheartened. In the final minute of the week 14 game between the Panthers and Eagles, they were trailing by 16-22. The QB Bryce Young made a 30+ yard pass to the rookie receiver, who was just 5 yards away from the end zone. But he lost the chance. Falling across the goal line, Xavier Legette tried to claim the touchdown but was adjudged to have dropped the ball. The officials ruled it out.
Contrary to the rookie, the veteran WR had an impressive game with 9 receptions for 102 yards. So, when they lost the game, he turned into a mentor for the young WR and said, “I’ve played a long time, had some critical drops in my career, tough plays I didn’t make. I remember going back to college, a fumble in overtime of a playoff game. So, we all have it. He’s a hard worker, he does things all the right way, so we’re proud of him and he had a great game. So just keep working and know we’re there for him.”
It’s official. The Panthers locker room is united despite all the problems they faced. It starts with their quarterback.
Panthers QB stuns NFL world with his comeback
Xavier Legette wasn’t the only draft bet of the Panthers. Their bigger bet, the number 1 overall pick of the 2023 draft, Bryce Young, couldn’t deliver in his rookie season. In 2023, the 23-year-old only had 2 wins in 16 games (all as a starter). But when they tried to trade him, the best offer they got was a 4th round pick. It was too low for the 4-year $37.9 million fully guaranteed player. So, they went the traditional route: patience!
via X
Sports Illustrated analyst Tom Dieberger praised the quarterback for coming back strongly in the season. In the first 2 games of the season, he had no TDs but 3 interceptions. HC Dave Canales sat him out in the next 2 games. But he then played him and followed a calmer approach. It paid off.
With rookies like Xavier Legette in the fray, the quarterback finished the season with 14 games (12 as a starter) and a 4-8 record. He made 234 of 384 pass attempts (60.9% completion rate) for 2,403 passing yards with 15 TDs and 9 interceptions. He also upped his rushing game in 2024 with 6 TDs (zero in 2023). Overall, his trajectory is headed in the right direction.
The Panthers want to become a winning team. But they have never won a Super Bowl. Can this young blood change the course of history? We’ll find out!
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