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<\/p>\nIn the heart of west Charlotte, while swinging hammers and hauling lumber, Christian Rozeboom wasn\u2019t just building homes\u2014he was helping build hope. The Carolina Panthers linebacker, newly arrived this offseason, spent part of his Keep Pounding Day lending a hand in Habitat for Humanity\u2019s mission, a gesture that mirrors the grit and humility that brought him to the NFL in the first place.<\/p>\n
Rozeboom, a former undrafted free agent out of South Dakota State, understands what it means to fight for a roster spot. And while he\u2019s only been a Panther for a few weeks, there\u2019s one teammate he\u2019s always kept an eye on: veteran receiver Adam Thielen.<\/p>\n
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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) makes a catch against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean (33) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field.\u00a9 Eric Hartline-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
\u201cI do know Adam\u2019s story just with him going to Minnesota State, Mankato and I grew up in Iowa so I knew his story and obviously watched him quite a bit at the Vikings,\u201d Rozeboom shared. \u201cI mean just unreal story that you could talk about for a long time too\u2026 I think just how you treat people and I see that already just meeting Adam for two weeks now\u2014how he treats people is in seconds and getting to know everybody around and it\u2019s been really cool to see.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Thielen, who signed with Carolina in 2023 after nearly a decade in Minnesota, posted 615 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns last season, while only playing in ten games due to injury. To Rozeboom, that stat line is just part of what makes Thielen stand out. It\u2019s the off-field presence, the quiet leadership, and the way he greets every trainer, coach, and teammate that truly resonates.<\/p>\n
Related: Former Panthers great sparks major buzz with new endeavor<\/a><\/p>\n Rozeboom offered his own advice to young players trying to find their footing: \u201cDo the football well; treat everyone in the building well, too.\u201d That mindset has not only kept Rozeboom in the league, but is now helping him shape the Panthers locker room and the Charlotte community alike.<\/p>\n Related: Panthers newest draft pick sends blunt message to Carolina and rest of NFL<\/a><\/p>\n