Carolina Panthers facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Carolina Panthers
Current season
Logo Wordmark Uniforms
Basic info
Established	October 26, 1993; 31 years ago (1993-10-26)
Stadium	Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Headquartered	Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Colors	Black, process blue, silver
Mascot	Sir Purr
Personnel
Owner(s)	David Tepper
President	Kristi Coleman
General manager	Dan Morgan
Head coach	Dave Canales
Team history
Carolina Panthers (1995–present)
Home fields
Memorial Stadium (1995) Bank of America Stadium (1996–present)
League / conference affiliations
National Football League (1995–present) National Football Conference (1995–present) NFC West (1995–2001) NFC South (2002–present)
Championships
League championships: 0
Conference championships: 2 NFC: 2003, 2015
Division championships: 6 NFC West: 1996 NFC South: 2003, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015
Playoff appearances (8)
NFL: 1996, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017
Owner(s)
Jerry Richardson (1993–2018) David Tepper (2018–present)

The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team. They are based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers play in the National Football League (NFL). They are part of the National Football Conference (NFC) South division. Their home field is Bank of America Stadium in Uptown Charlotte. The team is supported by fans across both North and South Carolina. While they have played in Charlotte since 1996, their first season in 1995 saw them play home games in Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.

The Panthers became the NFL's 29th team in 1993. They started playing in 1995 with Jerry Richardson as their first owner. The team had a great start, winning 7 games in their first season. This was the best record ever for a new NFL team. In their second year, they won 12 games and even reached the NFC Championship Game. They made it to the Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2003, but lost a close game. They also reached Super Bowl 50 in 2015 after a fantastic season. The Panthers have won their division six times.

The Panthers' Journey: Team History

How the Panthers Began

On December 15, 1987, businessman Jerry Richardson announced his plan. He wanted to bring an NFL team to the Carolinas. Richardson was a former football player himself. He was inspired by the Charlotte Hornets, a new basketball team in Charlotte. Richardson formed a group of businessmen to help. They chose uptown Charlotte as the stadium location.

To show how much people wanted a team, Richardson Sports held preseason games. These games took place from 1989 to 1991. They were played in different cities in North and South Carolina. Finally, on October 26, 1993, the NFL owners agreed. The Carolina Panthers became the 29th NFL team. In their first ever draft in 1995, they picked quarterback Kerry Collins.

The Jerry Richardson Era: Early Years and Super Bowl Run (1995–2017)

U.S. Senators showing excitement for the new Carolina Panthers team.

The Panthers started playing in the 1995 NFL season. They were one of two new teams that year. The Panthers were placed in the NFC West division. Dom Capers became their first head coach. Their first game was a close loss to the Atlanta Falcons. After starting 0–5, they won their first game against the New York Jets. They finished their first season with 7 wins and 9 losses. This was the best start for any expansion team.

In their second season, 1996, they did even better. They won 12 games and won the NFC West division. They beat the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs. But they lost to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game. After that, their performance dropped for a few years. Coach Capers was let go in 1998.

George Seifert took over as head coach. The team had some tough seasons, including a 1-15 record in 2001. This tied an NFL record for most losses. However, a bright spot was drafting wide receiver Steve Smith in 2001. He became a future star for the team.

John Fox Leads the Team (2002–2010)

Jake Delhomme playing for the Panthers in 2006. He led the team to a Super Bowl.

Steve Smith was a star wide receiver for the Panthers.

Julius Peppers' jersey in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In 2002, the NFL added more teams. The Panthers moved to the new NFC South division. Their rivalries with the Falcons and Saints continued. They were joined by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Panthers drafted Julius Peppers, a future Hall of Fame defensive end, in 2002. John Fox became the new head coach.

In 2003, the team signed quarterback Jake Delhomme. The Panthers had an amazing season, winning 11 games. They won the NFC South division. They won three playoff games to reach Super Bowl XXXVIII. They played against the New England Patriots in a very exciting game. The Panthers lost 32–29, but it was a memorable game. Many people still call it one of the best Super Bowls ever.

The Panthers continued to be competitive. They made the playoffs again in 2005. They won two road playoff games before losing to the Seattle Seahawks. In 2008, they won 12 games and their division again. However, they lost in the playoffs to the Arizona Cardinals. After a tough 2010 season with only 2 wins, Coach Fox's contract ended.

Ron Rivera and the Cam Newton Era (2011–2019)

Former coach Ron Rivera in 2011.

2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton. He led the Panthers to a 15–1 record and a Super Bowl appearance.

Ron Rivera was hired as the new head coach. In the 2011 NFL draft, the Panthers picked Cam Newton as the first overall pick. Newton was a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Auburn. He had an incredible rookie season. He set NFL records for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback and passing yards by a rookie.

In 2012, the Panthers drafted Luke Kuechly, a future All-Pro linebacker. After a slow start, the team finished strong. In 2013, they had a great season with 12 wins. They won their third NFC South title. They made the playoffs again in 2014, winning their division despite a losing record.

The 2015 season was historic. The Panthers started with 14 wins in a row! They finished the regular season with an amazing 15 wins and only 1 loss. This tied for the best regular-season record in NFC history. Cam Newton was named the NFL MVP. The Panthers won their division for the third straight year. They beat the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs. This sent them to Super Bowl 50. They faced the Denver Broncos but lost 24–10.

After the Super Bowl season, the team had a tougher year in 2016. They finished with 6 wins and 10 losses. In 2017, they made the playoffs again with 11 wins. However, they lost to the New Orleans Saints in the first round.

The David Tepper Era (2018–Present)

Businessman David Tepper bought the Panthers in 2018.

On May 16, 2018, David Tepper bought the Carolina Panthers. He was previously a part-owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The sale was for nearly $2.3 billion, a record at the time. The NFL owners approved the sale.

The team started the 2018 season well but finished with 7 wins and 9 losses. In 2019, they started 5–3 but lost their last eight games. Coach Rivera was fired during that season. Cam Newton also had a season-ending injury.

Matt Rhule's Time as Coach (2020–2022)

Former Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey.

On January 7, 2020, the Panthers hired Matt Rhule as head coach. Soon after, star linebacker Luke Kuechly retired. The team also released Cam Newton in March 2020. They signed quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. The 2020 season was tough, with the team finishing 5–11.

In 2021, the Panthers traded for quarterback Sam Darnold. They also brought back Cam Newton for a short time. Despite winning their first three games, they finished 5–12. Coach Rhule was fired early in the 2022 season after a 1–4 start. Steve Wilks became the interim head coach. The team also traded away key players like Christian McCaffrey. Wilks led the team to a 6–6 record, finishing the season with 7 wins and 10 losses.

Recent Coaching Changes (2023–Present)

On January 26, 2023, Frank Reich was hired as head coach. He was the Panthers' first starting quarterback in 1995. Before the 2023 draft, the Panthers made a big trade. They moved up to the first overall pick. In the 2023 NFL draft, they selected quarterback Bryce Young from Alabama. However, Reich was fired on November 27, 2023, after a 1–10 start. Chris Tabor coached the rest of the season. The Panthers finished with a league-worst 2–15 record.

On January 25, 2024, Dave Canales was hired as the new head coach. The Panthers finished the 2024 season with a 5–12 record.

Panthers' Look: Logo and Uniforms

Team Logo Design

The Panthers' logo is shaped to look like the outlines of both North and South Carolina. In 2012, the team updated its logo. This was the first change in team history. The goal was to make the logo look more "aggressive" and modern. They made the panther's eye and mouth features stronger. The new logo also has a darker shade of blue.

Carolina Panthers Wordmark Styles

The team's first wordmark (1995)

The team's second wordmark (1996–2011)

The team's third wordmark (2012–present)

Uniform Styles

When the Panthers were announced in 1993, their logo was ready. But their uniform design was still being created. They decided on white, black, and blue jerseys. Their pants would be white and silver. The exact shade of blue, called "process blue," was carefully chosen.

The team's uniform has mostly stayed the same over the years. There have been only small changes. For example, the black uniforms' socks changed from blue to black. The team's shoes also changed from white to black. The former owner, Jerry Richardson, wanted to keep the uniforms traditional.

The Panthers have three main jersey colors: black, white, and blue. The blue jerseys are alternate uniforms. They can be worn up to two times each season. For other games, the team wears white or black. The home team usually chooses a dark or white jersey, and the away team wears the opposite. The Panthers often wear white or blue in hot weather. They wear black in cold weather.

The Panthers usually wear white jerseys with white pants and blue socks. Their black and blue jerseys are paired with silver pants and black socks. There have been a few exceptions. In 2012, they wore black jerseys with black pants. This created an all-black uniform. This all-black uniform won a fan-voted contest for "Greatest Uniform in NFL History" in 2013.

In 2015, the Panthers wore an all-blue uniform for a Thanksgiving Day game. This was part of Nike's "Color Rush" series. In 2012, when Nike became the NFL's jersey supplier, the collar of the jerseys was changed. It now features the phrase "Keep Pounding." This honors former player and coach Sam Mills. He used the phrase to inspire the team during his fight with cancer.

In 2019, the Panthers introduced new uniforms. They kept the same basic look and colors. In 2022, the Panthers added secondary black helmets. These helmets have no white on the team logo.

Home Field: Stadium and Facilities

An exterior view of Bank of America Stadium.

The Panthers played their first season at Memorial Stadium in South Carolina. This was because their stadium in Charlotte was still being built. Bank of America Stadium opened in 1996. It was designed specifically for football. The stadium also holds the Panthers' offices. You can even take public tours of the stadium.

Outside the stadium, there are large bronze panther statues. They are some of the biggest sculptures ever made in the United States. The names of the team's first season ticket owners are on the base of these statues. Two important Panthers, Mike McCormack and Sam Mills, have life-sized bronze statues outside. Sam Mills' jersey number (#51) is the only one retired by the Panthers.

The team's weight room inside of Bank of America Stadium.

The Panthers practice on three outdoor fields next to Bank of America Stadium. These fields are in uptown Charlotte. The team has added trees and tarps to block views from nearby buildings. They also have security to keep people from watching practices. If the weather is bad, they use an indoor facility about 10 miles away. The team holds its annual training camp at Wofford College in South Carolina. They have done this since 1995.

The Panthers had planned to build a new team headquarters and training facility in Rock Hill, South Carolina. This project was expected to be very large. However, the agreement for this project ended in April 2022.

Team Spirit: Culture and Traditions

The Carolina Panthers are loved in both North and South Carolina. In 2012, the Governor of South Carolina even declared July 30 "Carolina Panthers Day." Fans often use the hashtag #OneCarolina to show support.

Sports Illustrated ranked the Panthers' fan experience highly in 2007. Fans enjoy tailgating before games. They bring different foods like Carolina-style barbecue. Some tailgates even have live bands and TVs. Pickup football games are common in the parking lots. Bank of America Stadium holds almost 75,000 fans. The team's home attendance has been in the NFL's top ten since 2006.

Mascot, Cheerleaders, and Drumline

Panthers mascot Sir Purr.

Sir Purr is the Panthers' mascot. He is a black panther who wears a jersey with '00'. Sir Purr has been the mascot since the team's first season. He entertains fans with skits and funny actions during games. Sir Purr also visits children at Levine Children's Hospital. He hosts the annual Mascot Bowl, where mascots play against each other at halftime.

The team's cheerleaders are called the Carolina Topcats. They lead cheers and entertain fans at home games. The Topcats also participate in community events. In March 2022, the Carolina Topcats made history. They became the first NFL cheerleading team to have a transgender member, Justine Lindsay. The team also has a drumline called PurrCussion. This group of drummers performs for fans outside the stadium. They also introduce players before home games.

The Keep Pounding Drum

Since 2012, the Panthers have a special tradition. Before each home game, an honorary drummer hits the "Keep Pounding Drum." This drum is six feet tall. It is hit four times to represent the four quarters of a football game. This tradition is inspired by Sam Mills' famous speech. He told the team to "Keep Pounding" during his fight with cancer.

The drummers are people who have overcome big challenges. They include current and former Panthers players, military veterans, and children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Famous athletes like Stephen Curry and Jimmie Johnson have also been honorary drummers.

Team Songs and Chants

The Panthers have an official fight song called "Stand and Cheer." The team plays Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" after home victories. A "keep pounding" chant also happens before each home game. One side of the stadium shouts "keep," and the other side shouts "pounding." This chant is similar to those at college football games.

Giving Back: Charity and Community Work

The Carolina Panthers support many non-profit groups. They do this through Carolina Panthers Charities. They give scholarships to student athletes. They also give grants to groups that help with education, sports, and community services. The Panthers and Fisher Athletic give equipment grants to high school football teams.

Carolina Panthers Charities raises money at special events. These include the Countdown to Kickoff Luncheon and Football 101. They also host the Weekend Warrior Flag Football Tournament. Another event, Taste of the Panthers, raises money for the Second Harvest Food Bank.

In 2003, the Panthers and Carolinas HealthCare Foundation started the Keep Pounding Fund. This fund supports cancer research and patient programs. The Panthers community has raised over $1.4 million for this fund. They do this through donations, auctions, and a stadium run. The Panthers also visit children at Levine Children's Hospital.

The Panthers also join in NFL programs. These include USA Football Month, A Crucial Catch (for breast cancer awareness), Salute to Service (for military families), and PLAY 60 (to encourage kids to be active).

Panthers on Air: Radio and Television

Map showing radio stations that broadcast Carolina Panthers games.

You can listen to Panthers games on the radio. WRFX is the main station. The Carolina Panthers Radio Network has stations across the Carolinas and Virginia. The radio team includes Anish Shroff (play-by-play) and former player Jake Delhomme (color analyst). They broadcast pre-game shows, games, and post-game wrap-ups. They also host Panther Talk, where fans can meet players.

Regular-season games are shown on national TV. Locally, most games are on Fox affiliate WJZY. Games against AFC teams are usually on CBS affiliate WBTV. Monday Night Football games are also shown on ABC affiliate WSOC-TV. Sunday night and some Thursday night games are on NBC affiliate WCNC-TV.

All preseason games and team specials are shown on the Carolina Panthers Television Network. WSOC-TV is the main station. The preseason TV team includes Taylor Zarzour, former player Steve Smith, and Kristen Balboni. The network also has The Panthers Huddle, a weekly show about the team's next opponent. The Panthers also offer game broadcasts in Spanish.

Team Rivals: NFC South Matchups

The Panthers have strong rivalries with other teams in their division, the NFC South. These teams are the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New Orleans Saints. The Falcons and Buccaneers are considered their fiercest rivals.

The Falcons are a close geographic rival. Atlanta is only about 230 miles south of Charlotte. These two teams play each other twice a year. Many visiting fans attend these games. As of the 2023 season, the Falcons have won more games in this rivalry (36–22). They have never played each other in the playoffs.

The rivalry with Tampa Bay is very intense. It started when the NFC South division was formed in 2002. Games between these teams are often very physical. This rivalry has led to some serious injuries for players. As of 2023, the Panthers have won more games against Tampa Bay (25–22). They have never met in the playoffs.

As of the 2023 season, the Saints lead the all-time series against the Panthers (31–28). They played each other once in the playoffs in 2017. The Saints won that game 31–26.

Panthers' Best: Hall of Honor and Retired Numbers

Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor

The Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor was created in 1997. It celebrates people who have made big contributions to the team.

Retired Jersey Numbers

The Carolina Panthers have retired one jersey number to honor a special player.

Panthers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Pro Football Hall of Fame honors the best players and coaches in professional football. Here are those who played for or contributed to the Panthers.

Team Leadership: Ownership and Coaches

Team Owners

Jerry Richardson was the founder and first owner of the Carolina Panthers. He and his family owned about 48% of the team. Other investors owned the rest. They paid $206 million to start the team in 1993.

In 2018, David Tepper bought the Carolina Panthers. He paid almost $2.3 billion, which was a record at the time. Forbes magazine valued the Panthers at about $4.1 billion in 2023.

Team Presidents

Mike McCormack was the Panthers' first team president. He served from 1994 to 1997. Jerry Richardson's son, Mark, became the second president in 1997. He stepped down in 2009. Danny Morrison took over after him. In 2018, Tom Glick was hired as team president.

Head Coaches of the Panthers

The Carolina Panthers have had ten head coaches. Eight of them served in an official role, and two were interim coaches.

• Dom Capers coached from 1995 to 1998. He led the team to one playoff appearance.
• George Seifert coached from 1999 to 2001.
• John Fox coached the longest, from 2002 to 2010. He led the team to three playoff appearances, including Super Bowl XXXVIII.
• Ron Rivera coached from 2011 to 2019. He led the team to four playoff appearances, including Super Bowl 50. He has the highest winning percentage of any Panthers head coach.
• Perry Fewell was an interim coach in 2019.
• Matt Rhule was hired in 2020. He coached until he was fired early in the 2022 season.
• Steve Wilks was an interim coach in 2022.
• Frank Reich was hired in 2023 but was fired during the season.
• Chris Tabor was an interim coach for the rest of 2023.
• Dave Canales was hired in 2024 and is the current head coach.

Panthers' Achievements: Team Records

John Kasay, Panthers kicker from 1995 to 2010, holds the team's career points record.

Since 1995, the Panthers have played in four NFC Championship Games. They won two of them (2003 and 2015). They have won six division championships. These include the NFC West in 1996 and the NFC South in 2003, 2008, 2013, 2014, and 2015. The Panthers have made the playoffs 8 times. Their most recent playoff appearance was in 2017.

Kicker John Kasay is the team's all-time leading scorer. He scored 1,482 points in 16 seasons with the Panthers. Quarterback Cam Newton is the Panthers' all-time passing leader. He threw for 29,041 yards in nine seasons. Running back Jonathan Stewart is the career rushing leader with 6,868 yards. Wide receiver Steve Smith is the team's leading receiver. He had 12,197 receiving yards in 13 years.

See also

In Spanish: Carolina Panthers para niños