The Carolina Panthers have "Keep Pounding" stitched into their jerseys, but over the past year and a half, Bruce DeHaven has lived those words.

"I think Bruce has epitomized that motto more so than anything else," head coach Ron Rivera said Sunday after announcing DeHaven would be stepping aside from his role as special teams coordinator.

DeHaven, 67, has been battling prostate cancer since early 2015, often traveling up to Buffalo for treatments. But over the past few days, he decided to focus on his health, with the hopes of returning to the team in mid-September.

With DeHaven moving into an advisory role, Thomas McGaughey, who has 10 years of NFL coaching experience, becomes special teams coordinator. Former Panthers and Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn also received a promotion from special teams intern to assistant.

Embed from Getty Images

Reactions to DeHaven News

 

Rivera:

 

"He felt now was an opportunity to transition as far as our special teams were concerned so it would be seamless. Bruce did not want to be a distraction, that's why Bruce isn't here today. He wanted to go quietly with the intention of coming back in the fall."

“As much as people see what we do, there’s still that human element to it. Bruce is a great example. Here’s a guy the last year and a half has been battling and he has done a great job. He was able to coach all of last season. But the big thing more so than anything else is he’s still battling and we’re all pulling for him to come through."

 

Long Snapper J.J. Jansen:

 

"He's been rock solid. He's been first and foremost a good man and mentor to all of us, and he's been a good football coach. He’s just kind of stayed the course, and it’s been really respectable how he’s handled the situation and himself."

"The way he has conducted himself, handled himself, you almost kind of forget about it because he’s had the same energy, the same drive and passion that he brought all the years we’ve been together. You wouldn’t have noticed any difference in the way he conducted his business. Today is tough, and it will continue to be tough, but I’m proud of him.”

 

Defensive back Colin Jones:

 

"I've never heard Bruce complain at all and he's been through a lot. You never knew, and I had no idea he was going back to Buffalo."

"The word I would describe Bruce with is respect. I really respect him as a person and coach. It's just kind of a tough situation. He really cares about us as obviously football players, but as people too and he wanted to do what's best for the team."