He’s speaking in jest, right? He must be.
And yet, just as Luke Fortner is about to conclude a story from his days playing the baritone horn in his middle school band, the newly signed Carolina Panthers center poses a question that makes you think that — at least at one point in time — it was no laughing matter at all.
“I had a big decision going into my freshman year of high school,” Fortner said. “I said, ‘Am I going to play in the band? Or play football?’”
He then chuckled.
“And I think I decided correctly,” he said. “I know my middle school band director may not think so.”
The truth is, Fortner has made a lot of decisions that have impacted his football journey — decisions that seem silly in retrospect. A self-acknowledged “nerd,” the 27-year-old offensive lineman has three degrees from his six years at the University of Kentucky. A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. A master’s in aerospace engineering. And an MBA. He loves learning new things, too, he said. His latest endeavor: the piano — even if years of hand-in-dirt football has dislocated some fingers and made playing such an instrument difficult.
Such a love of learning has served his football life so far. It’s what led him to the center position when then-Kentucky offensive coordinator and now Jaguars head coach Liam Coen told him to make the transition from interior OL. And, ultimately, it’s what led the 27-year-old to being picked up by the Panthers on a one-year deal worth up to $2.75 million, according to Over The Cap, after being one of the top center free agents on the market.
But there were other decisions Fortner had to make, too.
Like going to the NFL at all.
“I definitely wanted to play college football,” Fortner said. “But the NFL was one of those things that they’re like, ‘Well, not everyone makes it to the NFL. You gotta try and get your education.’ … So I kept hanging on with the redshirt year and the COVID year.
“And eventually, my buddies were like, ‘Are you going to do this? You have a chance to go play in the NFL. It’s time you put the school aside.’”
So he did.
Luke Fortner #OL16 of the Kentucky Wildcats speaks to reporters during the NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Michael Hickey Getty Images How Fortner will impact the Panthers immediately
Fortner will begin his crash course in Carolina with the proverbial keys belonging to him.
The Panthers plan to have three of their five starting offensive linemen from a year ago back and playing by Week 1. That’s left guard Damien Lewis, right guard (and Pro Bowler) Robert Hunt and right tackle Taylor Moton.
Left tackle Ickey Ekwonu is still under contract after the Panthers picked up his fifth-year option prior to 2025, but he’s expected to miss a decent chunk of 2026 after rupturing his patellar tendon in his knee in last year’s playoff game. (The Panthers have a plan at left tackle in Ekwonu’s stead; they signed Rasheed Walker on a one-year deal.)
But the center position? It was mostly open before Fortner filled the role. And there are high expectations for him. Fortner graded out as a middle-of-the-pack run-blocker (65.3, 21st in the NFL) but as an exceptional pass-blocker (72.5, 5th), according to Pro Football Focus.
His 2025 — his first year with the rival New Orleans Saints after three previous seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars — saw his best year yet. The success came after inheriting the job as starter in Week 8; he was the starter, thus, when the Saints’ offense hit its stride toward the end of the year.
Center Luke Fortner, shown here as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, is introduced against the San Francisco 49ers during a game at EverBank Field on November 12, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) Mike Carlson Getty Images
Fortner, still, has experience playing everywhere along the line. And that has taught him some valuable lessons now as someone who has to call the protections, among other responsibilities.
“I think the biggest thing is communication,” Fortner said. “When you’re in the middle of it, it feels easy to say, ‘Hey, this is where we’re going. We’re doing X or Y or whatever it may be. But there were times in college when they threw me out there at tackle, and it was like, ‘Wait a minute. I can’t hear a thing out here.’
“So I think being in that scenario, being outside or at guard or whatever it may be, you know how crucial that communication can be.”
Center Luke Fortner, shown here as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, is introduced against the San Francisco 49ers during a game at EverBank Field on November 12, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) Mike Carlson Getty Images ‘I owe them a lot’
Fortner has a lot more to say. He was a teammate and draft-classmate of the Panthers’ newly acquired linebacker Devin Lloyd, saying that “Devin is just not slowing down, man.” He said that Bryce Young is a “charismatic” and “great leader.” He doesn’t have good memories having to block Derrick Brown. He said that he’s excited for playing such an “optimistic” fan base. He’s also ready for the “beautiful” Carolina sun: “You don’t get much of that in the dome.”
You can trace all this excitement back to Fortner’s “big decision.” His decisions, in fact. From choosing football over band in middle school. To having a decision made for him, moving him to the center position. To finally taking the leap into the NFL after six years in college.
Not that his choice of going to the NFL wasn’t a “real” decision, was it? He’s kidding again. Has to be. Right?
He didn’t need that much prodding from his friends to do something only few have the chance to do, did he?
Fortner chuckles again.
“I owe them a lot,” he said. “They’re still asking for money to this day.”
This story was originally published March 19, 2026 at 6:00 AM.
The Charlotte Observer
Alex Zietlow writes about the Carolina Panthers and the ways in which sports intersect with life for The Charlotte Observer, where he has been a reporter since August 2022. Zietlow’s work has been honored by the Pro Football Writers Association, the N.C. and S.C. Press Associations, as well as the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) group. He’s earned six APSE Top 10 distinctions for his coverage on a variety of topics, from billion-dollar stadium renovations to the small moments of triumph that helped a Panthers kicker defy the steepest odds in sports. Zietlow previously wrote for The Herald in Rock Hill (S.C.) from 2019-22.
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