Hunter Renfrow, the scrappy wide receiver who won hearts with his Pro Bowl season, is back in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers in 2025. After a year away from football, the 29-year-old South Carolina native has overcome a brutal health battle to reclaim his spot on the gridiron. His journey, a mix of grit, heart, and hometown pride, is one of the feel-good stories of the season.

Renfrow’s 2024 absence left fans scratching their heads. Known for his sure hands and sneaky route-running with the Las Vegas Raiders, he dazzled in 2021, hauling in 103 catches for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns. But his numbers dipped in 2022 and 2023, hampered by a concussion, an oblique injury, and a shrinking role under coach Josh McDaniels.

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When the Raiders cut him in March 2024, Renfrow seemed to vanish. Retirement rumors swirled, but the truth was heavier: he was fighting ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease that hit him hard.

The condition drained Renfrow, dropping his weight from 185 pounds to a frail 150. He endured week-long fevers spiking at 103 degrees, sapping his strength. “It kicked my butt,” Renfrow told Panthers reporters, his usual grin tempered by the memory. But giving up? Not his style. With medical care and sheer willpower, he rebuilt himself, hitting 187 pounds by 2025. Becoming a dad to his second daughter during his hiatus only fueled his fire to return.

Now with the Panthers, his hometown team, Renfrow’s chasing a slot receiver role alongside stars like Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, and 2025 first round draft pick Tetairoa McMillan. His knack for finding soft spots in defenses could be a bonus for quarterback Bryce Young.”I remember telling him if I could ever get back to Carolina, that’d be a dream for me.” Renfro recalls telling teammate Adam Thielen, that he has long admired. His love for the region is clear. His walk-on mentality, honed at Clemson where he won two national titles, still drives him.

Renfrow’s comeback isn’t just about stats, it’s about proving he’s tougher than life’s toughest challenges. As he steps back onto the field, fans see more than a player; they see a guy who fought his way back from the brink, ready to make every catch count. The NFL’s better with Hunter Renfrow in it.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Hunter Renfrow’s road to returning to the NFL and Carolina