A Little Carolina Panthers History!
October 26, 1993 was an historic day for Charlotte NC (and residents of both of the Carolinas) as our famed Jerry Richardson was awarded the 29th NFL franchise, the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers team would be housed in Charlotte but, represent both North and South Carolina, being called the Carolina Panthers.
Charlotte was a-buzz with the news and we rallied to support our newest professional sport. A former player himself, Jerry Richardson has a true passion for football. He bacame only the second NFL owner to have been a former player. To Charlotte and the Carolinas, that was a huge bonus to us as we were going through a major upset with our, then, professional basketball team, the Hornets, and were looking for an owner with a 'heart!' We found a gem in Jerry Richardson and he has served our city with class and dignity for 15 years now.
On July 29, 1995, the Carolina Panthers put another note in the history books by winning their inaugural game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, becoming the very first NFL team to win it's inaugural game!
It's been a roller coaster ride since! In July of 1996, the Carolina Panthers home was completed (flanked by two bronze panthers at each of the three entrances) and the Panthers played their first game, against the Bears, winning their first game in their new home!
December 17, 2003, the Carolina Panthers defeated the Arizona Cardinals to win the NFC South Division title and earned their second playoff berth. They then beat Dallas to win the NFC Wild Card Playoff game, moving on to beat the Eagles on January 18th and facing the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII!
We've had a few rough patches along the way but, all-in-all, the Carolina Panthers in their Bank of America Stadium have given Charlotte and the Carolinas many exciting moments! Our passion, other than for the Carolina Panthers, is tailgating! OH, how we love to get up at the crack-of-dawn on game day, pack our tents, coolers, grills and FOOD galore and find our places in the sun to gear up for the game-gearing-up tailgating! Rarely do we miss the kick-off and rarely do we miss an opportunity to let the team know when they've done something we didn't like or when we're thrilled with them!
This year, we've had a bit of a slow start but, hey, we're not known as the Cardiac Cats for nothing; who knows what's in store for us the rest of the season? And our last 3 games--well, let's just say, the guys were doing a little re-grouping!
Below is our schedule for the year! Come support our team and if you can't get a ticket, come join us tailgating! There are plenty of folks that bring their TV's to watch the pre-game show and I'm sure they won't mind you watching the game, having a few drinks and eating the massive amount of left-overs from the pre-game tailgating!
On July 29, 1995, the Carolina Panthers put another note in the history books by winning their inaugural game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, becoming the very first NFL team to win it's inaugural game!
It's been a roller coaster ride since! In July of 1996, the Carolina Panthers home was completed (flanked by two bronze panthers at each of the three entrances) and the Panthers played their first game, against the Bears, winning their first game in their new home!December 17, 2003, the Carolina Panthers defeated the Arizona Cardinals to win the NFC South Division title and earned their second playoff berth. They then beat Dallas to win the NFC Wild Card Playoff game, moving on to beat the Eagles on January 18th and facing the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII!
We've had a few rough patches along the way but, all-in-all, the Carolina Panthers in their Bank of America Stadium have given Charlotte and the Carolinas many exciting moments! Our passion, other than for the Carolina Panthers, is tailgating! OH, how we love to get up at the crack-of-dawn on game day, pack our tents, coolers, grills and FOOD galore and find our places in the sun to gear up for the game-gearing-up tailgating! Rarely do we miss the kick-off and rarely do we miss an opportunity to let the team know when they've done something we didn't like or when we're thrilled with them!
This year, we've had a bit of a slow start but, hey, we're not known as the Cardiac Cats for nothing; who knows what's in store for us the rest of the season? And our last 3 games--well, let's just say, the guys were doing a little re-grouping!
Below is our schedule for the year! Come support our team and if you can't get a ticket, come join us tailgating! There are plenty of folks that bring their TV's to watch the pre-game show and I'm sure they won't mind you watching the game, having a few drinks and eating the massive amount of left-overs from the pre-game tailgating!
Pink Panthers in October
Be on the lookout for the Pink Panthers this month--Carolina Panther players are showing their support for Breast Cancer Awareness by donning pink attire for the games. One Cat has already been let out of the bag (pun intended!)--DeAngelo Williams will be sporting his pink cleats in today's game!
DeAngelo Williams was the NFL player who was instrumental in challenging all NFL players to support breast cancer awareness by wearing pink during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. He petitioned the NFL to allow the equipment color variation for all team players and they approved his request and have been behind the cause 100% since. Thanks DeAngelo, we admire your tenacity in getting this to the forefront of more American's hearts and minds!Click below to donate a mammogram--don't worry, it's FREE! You can click it daily to generate donations per click but, without paying a penny!
Copyright © 2009 By Debe Maxwell, All Rights Reserved...*A Little Carolina Panther History*
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Debe, what a great community post! It certainly shows you as the community expert!
Wow, 1993 the Panthers and the Jaguars as I recall were awarded franchises the same year. It is hard to belive it has been that long. Neat on the DeAngelo & the NFL allowing the color change.
Hi Barbara! Thank you so much! I do love our Panthers and was discussing a little history at a housewarming party last night and thought I'd come back and write about it! I also just found out that DeAngelo Williams was the NFL player to initiate the pink uniform modifications, including the cleats in honor of his mother, a breast cancer survivor.
Hi Kathryn: I know, can you believe that many years hae passed us by?! To have been the only team to win our first franchise game certainly historic, don't you think?! You're close to the middle of both teams--which one is your?!
Debe, my father actually helped the Richardson's win the NFL franchise nod and served as President for the club for several years before retiring. (there's a VERY big statue of him outside the stadium, or at least there used to be, so stop by and say "hi" next time you're there)
The Panthers will always have a very special place in our family's hearts. We were at that Dallas play-off game....what a ride that was! My boys lived in their Panthers jerseys when they were little....good memories thanks for bringing them back!
Hi Debe,
Great post on your community. My son was a swimmer for Clemson so we got to see all the wonderful community participation in NC and SC! Wow and we thought UT was infamous with tradition!
Debe
Thanks for sharing the information, have a great season.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Debe,
Thanks for this. I am a bit of a history buff and I couldn't remember exactly how it went down that we got the team. Also I think it is awesome what DeAngelo is doing. Your blog is allways the best. Of course I am a little biased. Is your arm feeling better?
Preston Sandlin
http://www.homeinspectioncarolina.com
http://askthecharlotteinspector.com
This is great! I bet you get lots of Panther fans checking out this post. Good job!
One of your excellent posts again, Debe. Not a football fan but I should watch to see the Panthers wearing pink. Go Dodgers!
I remember this well. I also I remember the date the Jaguars franchise was awarded to Jacksonville. I was on my way to my mother in law's funeral...cancer had stricken. And pink is OK to wear!
Do you hear that sound Debe?
It's the sound of applause coming from the Raleigh area for this post!
Excellent history lesson on our very own professional football team, the Carolina Panthers.
Hi Ms. Debe,
I'm LAURA RUTMAN, Craig Rutman's daughter, from the Raleigh area. He showed me your blog and I clicked on the Donate A Mammogram about 25 times (and counting!). Great job with this blog entry!
Debe, I am always interested in the Carolina Panthers because I remember when the Jaguars and Panthers were awarded the franchise the same year. This is an excellent post about their history - it would be good for me to do one about the Jaguars! We love tailgating before the games - it's really fun!