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)
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.

The team's home field is Bank of America Stadium in Uptown Charlotte. This stadium also serves as their main office. The Panthers are popular across both North and South Carolina. They played their first season in 1995 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. Since 1996, all their home games have been in Charlotte.

The NFL announced the Panthers as its 29th team in 1993. They started playing in 1995. Jerry Richardson was the first owner. The Panthers had a great start. They finished their first season with 7 wins and 9 losses. This was the best record ever for a new NFL team. The next year, they won 12 games and lost 4. They even won their division, the NFC West. They made it to the NFC Championship Game but lost.

In 2003, they had another winning season. They won the NFC Championship Game and played in Super Bowl XXXVIII. They lost a close game to the New England Patriots, 32–29. The team made the playoffs again in 2005 and 2008. They then won their division three years in a row, from 2013 to 2015. In 2015, they returned to the Super Bowl (Super Bowl 50) but lost to the Denver Broncos. Since then, they have made the playoffs only once, in 2017. The Panthers have won the NFC South division five times. This is the second-most in that division.

The team is officially called Panther Football, LLC. David Tepper bought the team from Jerry Richardson in 2018. All the other NFL owners approved the sale. In 2023, Forbes magazine estimated the team's value at about $4.1 billion.

Team History

How the Panthers Started

On December 15, 1987, a businessman named Jerry Richardson wanted to bring an NFL team to the Carolinas. Richardson was from North Carolina. He used to be a wide receiver for the Baltimore Colts. He got the idea to start an NFL team from George Shinn. Shinn had successfully brought an NBA team, the Charlotte Hornets, to Charlotte.

Richardson created Richardson Sports. This group included his family and other business people from North and South Carolina. He looked at four places for a stadium. He finally chose uptown Charlotte.

To show how much people wanted football, Richardson Sports held preseason games. These games took place from 1989 to 1991. They were held in different cities like Raleigh, North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Columbia, South Carolina. On October 26, 1993, the NFL owners all agreed. They named the Carolina Panthers the 29th team in the NFL. In the 1995 NFL Draft, the Panthers picked quarterback Kerry Collins first.

The Jerry Richardson Years (1995–2017)

U.S. Senators Lauch Faircloth (North Carolina), Bob Dole (Kansas), Jesse Helms (North Carolina), and Strom Thurmond (South Carolina) 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 other was the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Panthers joined the NFC West division. This made the division have five teams. Dom Capers became the first head coach.

The Panthers played their first regular season game in 1995. They lost to the Atlanta Falcons 23–20 in overtime. After losing their first five games, they won their first game ever. It was a 26–15 win over the New York Jets. The team finished its first season with 7–9. This was the best start for any new NFL team.

They did even better in their second season. They finished with a 12–4 record. They won the NFC West division. They also got a first-round bye in the playoffs. The Panthers beat the Dallas Cowboys 26–17 in the playoffs. But they lost the NFC Championship Game to the Green Bay Packers 30–13.

The team had a 7–9 record in 1997. In 1998, they slipped to 4–12. Because of this, Coach Capers was fired.

The Panthers then hired George Seifert as head coach. He led the team to an 8–8 record in 1999. They finished 7–9 in 2000. In 2001, they had a very tough season. They won their first game but lost their last 15. This 1–15 record tied the NFL record for most losses in a season. Coach Seifert was then fired. A bright spot in 2001 was drafting Steve Smith. He became a future star wide receiver for the team.

The John Fox Years (2002–2010)

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

Steve Smith was a wide receiver for the Panthers from 2001 to 2013. In 2005, he led the NFL in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns.

Julius Peppers' #90 jersey in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Peppers played defensive end for the Panthers for many years.

In 2002, the NFL added more teams. The Panthers moved from the NFC West to the new NFC South division. Their rivalries with the Falcons and Saints continued. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also joined this new division. The Panthers had the second pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. They picked Julius Peppers, a future Hall of Fame defensive end.

John Fox became the new head coach. He led the team to a 7–9 record in 2002. The team's defense was very good. But their offense struggled to gain yards.

Before the 2003 season, the team signed quarterback Jake Delhomme. The Panthers improved a lot in 2003. They finished with an 11–5 record and won the NFC South. They won playoff games against the Dallas Cowboys, St. Louis Rams, and Philadelphia Eagles. This sent them to Super Bowl XXXVIII. They lost a very exciting game to the New England Patriots, 32–29. Many people still call this one of the best Super Bowls ever.

In 2004, the Panthers started with only 1 win and 7 losses. But they fought back and won six of their next seven games. They finished the season at 7–9. If they had won their last game, they would have made the playoffs.

The team improved to 11–5 in 2005. They finished second in their division and made the playoffs as a wild card team. In the playoffs, they beat the New York Giants 23–0. This was the first time an NFL team shut out a home team in the playoffs since 1980. The next week, they beat the Chicago Bears 29–21. But key players Julius Peppers and DeShaun Foster got hurt. The Panthers then lost to the Seattle Seahawks 34–14 in the NFC Championship Game.

In 2006, the Panthers were expected to do well. But they finished with a 8–8 record. In 2007, they finished 7–9. Quarterback Jake Delhomme was injured early in the season.

In 2008, the Panthers bounced back. They had a 12–4 record. They won the NFC South and got a first-round bye in the playoffs. However, they lost to the Arizona Cardinals 33–13 in the playoffs. Delhomme had six turnovers in that game.

Delhomme's struggles continued into the 2009 season. He threw 18 interceptions in 11 games before breaking a finger. The Panthers were 4–7 when he got hurt. His backup, Matt Moore, led the team to a strong finish. They won 4 of their last 5 games, ending the season at 8–8.

In 2010, the Panthers released Delhomme. They finished with the worst record in the league, 2–14. Their offense was the worst in the NFL. Coach John Fox's contract ended, and he left the team.

The Ron Rivera Years (2011–2019)

Former coach Ron Rivera in 2011.

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

The team hired Ron Rivera as the new head coach. They also drafted Auburn's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton as the first pick in the 2011 NFL draft. The Panthers started the 2011 season with 2–6. But they finished with a 6–10 record. Newton won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He set NFL records for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (14) and passing yards by a rookie quarterback (over 4,000).

In 2012, the Panthers added strong defensive player Luke Kuechly in the draft. But they started the 2012 season poorly, losing five of their first six games. The general manager, Marty Hurney, was fired. The team was 2–8 at one point. But they won five of their last six games, finishing 7–9. This strong finish helped Rivera keep his job.

The next year, the Panthers had a winning season. They finished 12–4. They won their third NFC South title and got another playoff bye. But they lost to the 49ers in the playoffs. In 2014, the Panthers started with two wins. But they then had a seven-game losing streak. They were 3–8–1 after 12 games. However, they won their last four games. This gave them a 7–8–1 record, but they still won their second straight NFC South title and made the playoffs. They beat the Arizona Cardinals 27–16 in the playoffs. Then they lost to the Seattle Seahawks 31–17.

The 2015 season was amazing for the Panthers. They started with 14–0 and finished the season 15–1. This tied for the best regular-season record in NFC history. They had the best offense in the league. Cam Newton was named NFL MVP. They won their third straight NFC South championship. They also got the top seed in the playoffs. In the playoffs, they beat the Seattle Seahawks 31–24. Then they beat the Arizona Cardinals 49–15 in the NFC Championship Game. This sent them to Super Bowl 50. However, they lost to the Denver Broncos 24–10.

In 2016, the Panthers did not do as well. They finished with a 6–10 record. They came in last in the NFC South and missed the playoffs. In 2017, the Panthers finished with an 11–5 record. They made the playoffs as a wild card team. But they lost to the New Orleans Saints 31–26. This was their first playoff loss in that round.

The David Tepper Era (2018–Present)

Businessman David Tepper bought the Panthers in 2018.

On May 16, 2018, David Tepper bought the Panthers. He used to be a part-owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The sale cost almost $2.3 billion, which was a record at the time. The league owners approved the sale on May 22, 2018.

The Panthers started the 2018 season with 6 wins and 2 losses. But they finished 7–9. In the 2019 season, they started 5–3. But they lost their last eight games, finishing 5–11. Coach Rivera was fired late in the season. Perry Fewell became the interim coach. Quarterback Cam Newton was injured and only played in two games that year.

Matt Rhule Years (2020–2022)

Former Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey played for the team from 2017 to 2022. In 2019, he was one of only three running backs in NFL history to have 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in the same season.

On January 7, 2020, the Panthers hired Matt Rhule as head coach. On March 24, the Panthers released Cam Newton. They had a tough 2020 season, finishing 5–11 again.

After the season, the Panthers traded for Sam Darnold. They also traded Teddy Bridgewater to the Denver Broncos. In November 2021, the Panthers signed Cam Newton again. But their struggles continued. They won their first three games of the 2021 season. However, they finished 5–12 with a seven-game losing streak.

After starting the 2022 season with 1 win and 4 losses, Coach Rhule was fired on October 10, 2022. Steve Wilks became the interim head coach. The Panthers then started to rebuild their team. They traded away players like Christian McCaffrey. Wilks led the team to a 6–6 record as interim coach. The Panthers finished the season with a 7–10 record.

Frank Reich Year (2023)

On January 26, 2023, Frank Reich was hired as head coach. He was the first starting quarterback in Panthers history back in 1995. Before the draft, the Panthers traded with the Chicago Bears to get the first overall pick. In the 2023 NFL draft, the Panthers picked Bryce Young, a Heisman Trophy winner, as their new quarterback.

On November 27, 2023, Reich was fired after the team started 1–10. Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor coached the rest of the 2023 season. The Panthers finished with the worst record in the league, 2–15.

Dave Canales (2024)

On January 25, 2024, Dave Canales was hired as head coach. He used to be the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In their first game of the 2024 season, the Panthers lost to the New Orleans Saints 10–47.

Team Look: Logo and Uniforms

Team Logo

The Panthers logo is shaped like the outlines of both North Carolina and South Carolina. In 2012, the Panthers changed their logo and team name design. This was the first time they had changed it. The team said the changes made the logo look "aggressive" and "modern." They made the eye and mouth features stronger, like the muscles and fangs. The new logo also has a darker blue color over the black.

Carolina Panthers wordmark types

The team's first wordmark, used in 1995

The team's second wordmark (1996–2011)

The team's third wordmark (2012–present)

Team Uniforms

By October 1993, the Panthers' logo and helmet were ready. But the uniform design was still being made. The team decided on white, black, and blue jerseys. They chose white and silver pants. The exact shade of blue, called "process blue," was the hardest to pick.

The team's uniform has mostly stayed the same. Only small changes have been made. For example, the socks for the black uniforms changed from blue to black. The shoes changed from white to black. The first owner, Jerry Richardson, liked traditional uniforms. He said no big changes would happen while he was alive.

The Panthers have three main jersey colors: black, white, and blue. The blue jerseys are their alternate uniforms. They were added in 2002. NFL rules let the team wear the blue jersey up to two times each season. For other games, they wear white or black. The home team chooses if they wear a dark or white jersey. The away team wears the opposite. The Panthers usually pick white or blue when it's hot. They pick black when it's cold.

The Panthers usually wear white jerseys with white pants and blue socks. Their black and blue jerseys are worn with silver pants and black socks. There have been a few exceptions. In 1998, they wore white jerseys with silver pants. In 2012, they wore black jerseys with new black pants. This made an all-black uniform, except for blue socks and silver helmets. Team captain Steve Smith chose the blue socks. He thought it made the all-black uniform look different from other teams. This all-black uniform won a fan 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.

The team's uniform did not change much when Nike became the NFL's jersey supplier in 2012. But the collar was changed to honor former player and coach Sam Mills. It now says "Keep Pounding." Nike had the idea, and the team liked it. It helps new fans learn about Mills. He died of cancer in 2005. Mills started the "Keep Pounding" phrase. He gave a speech before a 2003 playoff game. He compared his fight against cancer to the team's battle. He said, "When I found out I had cancer, there were two things I could do – quit or keep pounding. I'm a fighter. I kept pounding. You're fighters, too. Keep pounding!" This phrase is now a team slogan.

In 2019, the Panthers showed off new uniforms. They are Nike's "Vapor Untouchable" style. The changes were small. The stripes on the pants now go all the way down to the socks. The uniforms kept the same basic look, colors, and numbers.

In 2022, the NFL allowed teams to use alternate helmets again. The Panthers showed off black helmets. These helmets had no white parts on the team logo.

Stadium and Practice Places

An outside view of Bank of America Stadium in 2006.

The Panthers played their first season in 1995 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. This was because their stadium in Charlotte was still being built. Ericsson Stadium opened in the summer of 1996. It has been called Bank of America Stadium since 2004. The stadium was designed just for football. It also holds the Panthers' main offices. You can take tours of the stadium on some days.

Two large bronze panther statues are at each of the stadium's three main entrances. These are the biggest sculptures ever made in the United States. The names of the team's first season ticket owners are carved into the base of each statue. The first two people in the Panthers Hall of Honor, team executive Mike McCormack and linebacker Sam Mills, have life-sized bronze statues outside the stadium. Sam Mills is the only player to have his jersey number (#51) retired by the Panthers.

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

The Panthers have three outdoor practice fields next to Bank of America Stadium. In 1995, when they played in South Carolina, they practiced at Winthrop University. The practice fields are in uptown Charlotte. You can see them from tall buildings nearby. To stop people from watching practices, the team has planted trees and put tarps on the fence. They also have security guards to keep people away. If the weather is bad, they practice at an indoor facility about 10 miles away.

The Panthers have held their yearly training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, since 1995.

The Panthers had planned to build a new $1 billion team headquarters and training center in Rock Hill, South Carolina. This project was called "The Rock." Groundbreaking happened in July 2019. But the plans for this new facility were canceled in April 2022.

Team Culture

The Panthers are supported in both North and South Carolina. In 2012, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley even declared July 30 "Carolina Panthers Day" in her state. She said the Panthers were "the team that South Carolina calls their own." During the 2016 playoffs, the hashtag #OneCarolina was used by sports teams from both states to show support for the Panthers.

Sports Illustrated said the Panthers had the 10th best "NFL Fan Value Experience" in 2007. They noted that the stadium has many parking lots. Each lot has a different tailgating style. Some fans have fried chicken or Carolina-style barbecue. Others have live bands and TVs. Playing football in the parking lots is common. Bank of America Stadium can hold almost 75,000 fans. The Panthers' home game attendance has been in the NFL's top ten since 2006.

Mascot, Cheerleaders, and Drumline

Panthers mascot Sir Purr, wearing a white jersey.

Sir Purr is an anthropomorphic black panther. He wears a jersey with '00' on it. He has been the Panthers' mascot since their first season. During games, Sir Purr entertains fans with skits and funny actions. He also visits patients at Levine Children's Hospital every month. Sir Purr hosts the yearly Mascot Bowl. This event has mascots from pro and college teams play against each other during halftime of a Panthers home game.

The team's cheerleaders are the Carolina Topcats. They lead cheers and entertain fans at home games. The TopCats also take part in community events. In March 2022, the Carolina Topcats became the first NFL cheerleading team to have a transgender member, Justine Lindsay.

The team's drumline is PurrCussion. It is a group of drummers and cymbal players. PurrCussion performs for fans outside the stadium. They also introduce players before home games. The drummers come from all over the Carolinas.

Keep Pounding Drum

In 2012, the Panthers started using the Keep Pounding Drum. This was inspired by Sam Mills' speech before a 2004 playoff game. Before each home game, an honorary drummer hits the six-foot-tall drum four times. This represents the four quarters of a football game. The drummers are people who have overcome big challenges. They include current and former Panthers players, military veterans, Make-A-Wish children, and other famous athletes.

Songs and Traditions

The Panthers have an official fight song called "Stand and Cheer." It used to be played before every home game. It is still the official song, but it's not usually played before games anymore. Since 2006, the song has returned. After home victories, the team plays Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline."

A "keep pounding" chant started in 2012. It happens before the start of each home game. The video boards tell one side of the stadium to shout "keep." The other side then shouts "pounding." This chant is like those at college football games.

Charity and Community Work

The Carolina Panthers support many non-profit groups in North and South Carolina. They do this through Carolina Panthers Charities. They give out four scholarships each year to student athletes. Carolina Panthers Charities also gives money to groups that help with education, sports, and human services. The Panthers and Fisher Athletic give equipment grants to high school football teams in the Carolinas every year.

Carolina Panthers Charities raises money at three yearly events. These include the Countdown to Kickoff Luncheon, Football 101 (a workshop for fans), and the Weekend Warrior Flag Football Tournament. Another event is Taste of the Panthers. This food tasting event raises money for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.

In 2003, the Panthers and Carolinas HealthCare Foundation started the Keep Pounding Fund. This fund raises money for cancer research and patient support. The Panthers community has raised over $1.4 million for this fund. They do this through donations, auctions, blood drives, and a yearly stadium run. The Panthers also work with Levine Children's Hospital. They arrange monthly hospital visits and special game-day experiences for sick children.

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

Team Rivalries

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

The Falcons are a natural rival because Atlanta is close to Charlotte. The two teams play each other twice a year. Many visiting fans come to these games. As of 2023, the Falcons have won more games in the series (36–22). They have never played each other in the playoffs.

The rivalry with Tampa Bay is very intense. It started in 2002 when the NFC South was formed. It got even more heated in 2003 with players arguing. Games between them have caused many injuries. One illegal hit in 2009 even caused a small fight between the teams. As of 2023, the Panthers lead the series 25–22. They have never met in the playoffs.

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

Hall of Honor

The Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor started in 1997. It celebrates people who have helped the Carolina Panthers team.

Retired Numbers

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

Pro Football Hall of Fame Players

The Pro Football Hall of Fame honors people who have made big contributions to professional football. Here are some players with Panthers ties who are in the Hall of Fame.

Team Ownership and Leaders

Jerry Richardson

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

Team Presidents

Mike McCormack was the Panthers' first team president. He was a Hall of Fame player for the Cleveland Browns. He was president from 1994 until he retired in 1997. He was the first person put into the Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor.

Jerry Richardson's son, Mark, became the second team president in 1997. He stayed in that role until 2009. His brother Jon also stepped down at the same time. Many thought they would take over the team from their father. Danny Morrison replaced Mark Richardson. Morrison resigned in 2017. The role was empty until August 2018. Then, Tom Glick was hired as team president.

David Tepper

On May 16, 2018, David Tepper bought the Carolina Panthers. He used to be a part-owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The sale was for almost $2.3 billion, which was a record at the time. The other NFL owners approved the sale on May 22, 2018. In 2018, Forbes magazine said the Panthers were worth about $2.3 billion. They were the 21st most valuable NFL team.

Coaches

The Carolina Panthers have had ten head coaches. Eight were official head coaches, 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 team the longest, from 2002 to 2010. He led the team to three playoff appearances, including Super Bowl XXXVIII. He was the first Panthers coach to finish with a winning record. Ron Rivera coached from 2011 to 2019. He led the team to four playoff appearances, including Super Bowl 50. Rivera has the highest winning percentage of any Panthers head coach. David Tepper fired Rivera on December 3, 2019. Perry Fewell became the interim head coach.

On January 7, 2020, Matt Rhule was hired as head coach. Rhule was fired during his third season. Steve Wilks took over as interim coach. Frank Reich was hired as head coach on January 26, 2023. Frank Reich was let go on November 27, 2023. Dave Canales was hired as head coach on January 25, 2024.

Team Records and Achievements

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 (2003 and 2015) and lost two (1996 and 2005). The Panthers have won six division championships. They won the NFC West in 1996. They won the NFC South in 2003, 2008, 2013, 2014, and 2015. They have finished second in their division six times. They 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 (1995–2010) with the Panthers. Quarterback Cam Newton is the Panthers' all-time passing leader. He threw for 29,041 yards in nine seasons (2011–2020). Running back Jonathan Stewart is the team's all-time rushing leader. He rushed for 6,868 yards with the Panthers (2008–2018). Wide receiver Steve Smith is the team's leading receiver. He had 12,197 receiving yards in 13 years (2001–2013) with the team.

Images for kids

• Carolina Panthers uniforms.png

  The Carolina Panthers uniforms.

Error: no page names specified (help).

• Carolina Panthers draft history
• Sports in North Carolina