Pokemon Go has swept the nation. If you go out to any community park, university, or general area of congregation, you will find players numbering in the dozens, if not hundreds, jovially playing the game. Even stadiums around the country are getting in the spirit, hosting events for small admission fees, many of which are being directly donated to charity. So far, the "PoGo" experience has been positive for all involved outside of a couple minor incidents. Families walk and play together, people generally are spending more time outside and moving, and the young adult generation is getting a nice throwback of nostalgia to their school days.

So what does this have to do with the Carolina Panthers? Literally. Nothing. But, we are in the heat of July, and sometimes it is good to be silly when there is nothing else to talk about. Here are some of your favorite players, and their Pokemon equivalents.

Pokemon equivalent - Machamp

Though some will take issue with the fact Cam hasn't won a championship like the Machamp clearly has... you can ask any Panthers fan and they will tell you he is "Ma Champ". However, no one will dispute that Cam Newton is one of the most ripped people on the planet. Machamp is the most ripped Pokemon in the entire arsenal. He is the result of a 3 tier evolution from Machop to Machoke to Machamp. This evolution is not unlike the growth we have seen in Cam, from pure raw potential, to signs of "getting it" all the way up to now where he is one of the absolute best in the league. Machamp is the toughest fighting Pokemon there is, and is entirely fitting of being linked with Cam.

Pokemon equivalent- Arcanine

Luke Kuechly will hunt you down. Luke Kuechly will maul you. Luke Kuechly... is... FIRE. Arcanine is a perfect comparison for Luke. His instincts as a dog pokemon hybrid compare favorable with Kuechly's ability to read a defense, not to mention he is one of the faster Pokemon out there. Also, no one on defense can light up a stadium like Luke Kuechly, except maybe Thomas Davis, but more on him later. Aracanine is the end result of a two step evolution from the smaller Growlithe... but we all know Luke Kuechly is as evolved as a middle linebacker possibly can be.

Pokemon equivalent - Golem

Short, heavy, extremely hard to damage and bring down... one would imagine we are talking about Mike Tolbert instead of a Pokemon, turns out, both apply equally. Golem is best described as "lumbering" but yet, Mike Tolbert is pretty graceful for such a large yet compact man.

Thomas Davis

Pokemon equivalent: Tauros

Mess with the bull, get the horns. This was the easiest one to pick of them all. Thomas Davis is the team's bull, and one of the toughest players of our generation. Tauros three tails also represent the 3 ACL injuries TD has withstood and still been a top player in this league.

Pokemon equivalent: Hitmonlee

Somewhat small, but definitely fast and wiry, Hitmonlee is a kicker of hindparts like no other. He is not weak to very many other Pokemon, and is reliable in a pinch. Kurt Coleman has displayed similar attributes now that he finally got his shot as starting safety here in Carolina.

Pokemon equivalents: The three evolutions of Eevee... Vaporeon, Flareon, Jolteon

Eevee is a favorite among Pokemon players, because they can evolve into any of three elemental types... Water (Vaporeon), Fire (Flareon), Lightning (Jolteon). Our receivers represent all three characteristics. Kelvin Benjamin is naturally Vaporeon. He is fluid for a man his size, he is the largest of the three typically, and can be relied upon as a person with very little weaknesses. The hot young rookie, Devin Funchess, is naturally Flareon. Currently the hottest member of the offense, he has all the Panthers fans lit up with excitement after a strong mini-camp. Ted Ginn jr. is Jolteon for the most obvious of reason... FLASH! and he is gone. Probably with your football. Sometimes not... but quite often, he has it.

So who have I left out Pokemon fans? Who else has a clear Pokemon doppleganger?