History of the Carolina Panthers facts for kids
The Carolina Panthers' story officially began in 1993. That's when the NFL chose Charlotte, North Carolina, to have a new team. The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, started playing in the 1995 NFL season. They were brand new teams, called expansion teams. Since 1996, they have played in Charlotte. They have won six division titles and two NFC Championships. The Panthers were the first NFL team in the Carolinas. They were the second professional sports team in Charlotte, after the NBA's Charlotte Hornets.
How the Panthers Began: 1987–1994
In 1987, Charlotte was getting a new basketball team, the Hornets. Around that time, a businessman named Jerry Richardson met with people who wanted to bring an NFL team to the Carolinas. Richardson's company, Richardson Sports, decided to build a stadium in Charlotte. This stadium would hold over 70,000 fans and would be paid for privately.
When Richardson announced this, people in the Carolinas got very excited. Leaders and citizens from both North Carolina and South Carolina worked together. They wanted to show the NFL that the area could support a team. Even US Senators Jesse Helms and Ernest Hollings worked together. Governors James G. Martin (NC) and Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. (SC) created a special committee. To show support, preseason NFL games were held in the region. These games took place in 1989, 1990, and 1991. All three games were sold out, showing how much fans wanted a team.
In 1992, the NFL listed five areas that could get a new team. These included Baltimore, Maryland; St. Louis, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee; Jacksonville, Florida; and the Carolinas (Charlotte). After some delays, the race for a team started again in 1993. In June 1993, Richardson Sports said they would pay for the stadium. They would do this by selling special tickets called Permanent Seat Licenses (PSLs). These PSLs sold out on the very first day! This showed incredible fan support.
The NFL then had to decide where the new team would go. On October 26, 1993, the league announced their decision. Owners voted for the Carolinas to get the 29th NFL team. This was the first new NFL team since 1976. (Jacksonville was named the 30th team a month later.) Fans celebrated with fireworks. Jerry Richardson thanked the 40,000 people who bought PSLs. Their support allowed the stadium to be built without using taxpayer money.
The Panthers were placed in the NFC West division. This made the division bigger, with five teams. Two other teams from the Southeast, the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, were already in that division. Charlotte became the easternmost city in the NFC West.
Dom Capers' Time as Coach: 1995–1998
The Panthers hired Dom Capers as their first head coach. He used to be the defensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
1995 Season: A Strong Start
During the 1995 NFL Expansion Draft, Rod Smith was the first player chosen by the Panthers. In the 1995 NFL draft, the Panthers picked quarterback Kerry Collins. New teams like the Panthers and Jaguars could also sign free agents. Free agents are players who can sign with any team. The Panthers signed wide receiver Don Beebe, linebacker Sam Mills, and kicker John Kasay. The Panthers won their first game, the Hall of Fame Game, against the Jacksonville Jaguars 20–14. This game was called the "Battle of the Big Cats."
For their first season, the Panthers played their home games at Clemson University in South Carolina. This was because their stadium in Charlotte was still being built. The Panthers originally wanted to play in Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. But the University of South Carolina said no.
Kerry Collins became the starting quarterback in Week 4. After losing their first five games, the Panthers won their first game on October 15, 1995. They beat the New York Jets 26–15. Sam Mills scored a touchdown by returning an interception. Later that year, the Panthers won four games in a row. This was a record for a new team. They even beat the defending Super Bowl champions, the San Francisco 49ers, 13–7. The Panthers finished their first season with 7 wins and 9 losses. This was more than double the previous record for a first-year expansion team.
1996 Season: First Playoff Appearance
In the 1996 NFL draft, the Panthers picked running back Tim Biakabutuka and wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad. Both players had good careers with the team. They also signed quarterback Steve Beuerlein, tight end Wesley Walls, and linebacker Kevin Greene. In September, the Panthers started playing at their new home, Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte. Their second year was even better than the first. After a 5–4 start, they won seven games in a row. They finished the season with 12 wins and 4 losses. They won the NFC West division for the first and only time in team history.
In their first playoff game, they beat the defending Super Bowl champions, the Dallas Cowboys, 26–17. This game was played at Ericsson Stadium. The next week, they lost to the Green Bay Packers 30–13 in the NFC Championship Game. Eight Panthers players were chosen for the Pro Bowl, including Kerry Collins, John Kasay, and Sam Mills. Coach Dom Capers also won the NFL Coach of the Year award.
1997 Season: Missing the Playoffs
The Panthers added talented players in the 1997 NFL draft. These included safety Mike Minter and tight end Kris Mangum. They also signed running back Fred Lane. After their great second season, the Panthers hoped to make the playoffs again in 1997. But they started with 2 wins and 4 losses. The team finished the season with 7 wins and 9 losses and missed the playoffs. They lost their first ever game on Monday Night Football to the San Francisco 49ers.
1998 Season: A Tough Year
The Panthers started the 1998 season with 0 wins and 7 losses. This was the team's worst start ever. Quarterback Kerry Collins started the first four games. Then Steve Beuerlein became the starting quarterback for the rest of the season. The team got their first win in Week 9, beating the New Orleans Saints 31–17. This ended a nine-game losing streak. The Panthers finished the year with 4 wins and 12 losses. This was their worst record at the time. Head coach Dom Capers was let go after four seasons.
George Seifert's Time as Coach: 1999–2001
After Dom Capers left, George Seifert was hired as the Panthers' second head coach. Seifert had won two Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers. He was known for winning with skilled teams.
1999 Season: Getting Better
The Panthers added players in the 1999 NFL draft, including defensive end Mike Rucker. In Seifert's first season, the Panthers finished with 8 wins and 8 losses. This was four more wins than the year before. It was also their first season with an equal number of wins and losses. After a slow start, they won 6 of their last 9 games. They just missed out on a playoff spot.
2000 Season: Still Building
In the 2000 NFL draft, the Panthers picked safety Deon Grant and linebacker Lester Towns. In Seifert's second season, the Panthers finished 7–9. They missed the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. Veteran quarterback Steve Beuerlein was released after the season.
2001 Season: A Difficult Year
Seifert's third and final season was very tough. The team released Beuerlein. Rookie Chris Weinke became the starting quarterback. Weinke had won the Heisman Trophy in college. But he could not find that success in the NFL. The Panthers won their first game against the Minnesota Vikings 24–13. But then they lost 15 games in a row. This set a record for single-season losing streaks at the time. The Panthers also finished last in their division for the first time.
Seifert was fired after the 2001 season. Even though his last season was tough, Seifert helped pick some great players in the 2001 NFL draft. These included linebacker Dan Morgan, defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, and wide receiver Steve Smith. These players became Pro Bowlers. Steve Smith played 13 seasons with the team and was a very exciting player.
The Panthers played their last season in the NFC West in 2001. For the 2002 NFL season, the team moved to the new NFC South division. They joined rivals Atlanta and New Orleans, plus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
John Fox's Time as Coach: 2002–2010
After the 2001 season, the Panthers hired New York Giants defensive coordinator John Fox. He became the team's third head coach. Fox was known for building strong defenses.
2002 Season: Defensive Power
Fox looked to the 2002 NFL draft to improve the team. With the second overall pick, they chose defensive end Julius Peppers. Peppers was a dominant player from the University of North Carolina. He fit Fox's defensive plans perfectly. The Panthers also picked up linebacker Will Witherspoon and running back DeShaun Foster. Peppers, Mike Rucker, Brentson Buckner, and Kris Jenkins formed a very strong defensive line. Safety Mike Minter led the secondary.
Fox's focus on defense worked well. The Panthers improved to 7 wins and 9 losses. This was six more wins than the year before. They had the league's second-best defense. They also allowed the fewest rushing yards per attempt. The Panthers moved to the new NFC South division for the 2002 season.
2003 Season: The Cardiac Cats
The 2003 NFL season started with the Panthers drafting new players. These included cornerback Ricky Manning, Jr. and offensive tackle Jordan Gross. They also signed quarterback Jake Delhomme, running back Stephen Davis, and wide receiver Ricky Proehl. These players helped the offense. The team started the season with 5 wins and 0 losses. Delhomme became the starting quarterback in the first game. He led the Panthers to an 11–5 record. They won the NFC South Division title and made the playoffs.
In the playoffs, they beat the Dallas Cowboys 29–10. Then they faced the St. Louis Rams. Carolina had a big lead, but the Rams tied the game late. The game went into double overtime. On the first play of the second overtime, Jake Delhomme threw a 69-yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith. The Panthers won 29–23. This sent them to the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Panthers shut down the Eagles' offense and won 14–3. They were going to their first Super Bowl! Because they won so many close games, often in overtime, the team earned a new nickname: the "Cardiac Cats."
Super Bowl XXXVIII: A Close Game
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At Super Bowl XXXVIII, the game was scoreless for a long time. But then 24 points were scored in the last 5 minutes of the first half. The score was 14–10 for New England at halftime. The third quarter was also scoreless. Things got exciting again late in the game. The teams kept trading leads. Jake Delhomme threw an 85-yard touchdown pass to Muhsin Muhammad. This was the longest offensive play in Super Bowl history at the time. The score became 22–21, Carolina. New England scored again to make it 29–22. But Carolina tied the game with a touchdown pass to Ricky Proehl with just over a minute left. This could have been the first overtime Super Bowl. However, the Patriots got the ball back. Their kicker, Adam Vinatieri, made a 41-yard field goal with four seconds left. This gave the Patriots their second Super Bowl win.
2004 Season: Injuries Hit Hard
Many experts thought the Panthers would do well again in 2004. They had drafted cornerback Chris Gamble and wide receiver Keary Colbert. They also kept most of their players from the Super Bowl team. But the team had many injuries early on. Steve Smith broke his leg. Stephen Davis hurt his knee. Kris Jenkins had shoulder problems. The Panthers had 14 players on injured reserve. This included their top four running backs. This led to a tough start, with 1 win and 7 losses. But backup fullback Nick Goings stepped up. The team won 6 of their last 8 games, finishing 7–9. They just missed the playoffs.
To celebrate their 10th anniversary, the Panthers named a special team. Many players from the 2003 Super Bowl team were on it. Kicker John Kasay was on the team, as he had been with the Panthers since the very beginning.
2005 Season: Another Playoff Run
The Panthers started the 2005 season with a loss. But then they beat the two-time defending Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots, 27–17. They went on a six-game winning streak. This included a win on Monday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers. In a game against the Minnesota Vikings, Steve Smith had an amazing game. He caught 11 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown.
Their winning streak ended against the Chicago Bears. The Bears' strong defense held the Panthers to only three points. The Panthers needed a win in their last game to make the playoffs. They beat the Atlanta Falcons 44–11. This was their largest win ever. With this victory, the Panthers earned a playoff spot.
In the playoffs, the Panthers shut out the New York Giants 23–0. Then they beat the Chicago Bears 29–21. This sent them to the NFC Championship Game for the third time. However, running back DeShaun Foster got injured. Defensive end Julius Peppers also hurt his shoulder. The Panthers lost to the Seattle Seahawks 34–14 in the NFC Championship.
2006 Season: Injuries Again
In the 2006 NFL draft, the Panthers picked running back DeAngelo Williams. An early injury to Steve Smith led to two losses. But when he returned, the team won four games in a row. Then Jake Delhomme got injured and missed three games. The team finished 8–8 and missed the playoffs.
2007 Season: More Quarterback Changes
The Panthers drafted wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett in the 2007 NFL draft. The Panthers started the season hoping for the playoffs. But quarterback Jake Delhomme was lost for the season with an elbow injury. This forced the Panthers to use other quarterbacks. These included 44-year-old Vinny Testaverde and rookie Matt Moore. The Panthers finished 7–9 and missed the playoffs again.
2008 Season: Division Champions Again
The Panthers picked up talented players in the 2008 NFL draft. These included running back Jonathan Stewart and offensive tackle Jeff Otah. With a much better running offense, the Panthers improved. They finished the season with 12 wins and 4 losses. They won all 8 of their home games. After beating the New Orleans Saints, the Panthers won their second NFC South title. They also earned a first-round bye in the playoffs. However, the Panthers lost to the Arizona Cardinals 33–13 at home in the Divisional round. Quarterback Jake Delhomme had 6 turnovers in that game.
2009 Season: A Strong Finish
Carolina hoped to make another playoff run in 2009. They started with three losses. But they got their first win in Week 5. After 11 games, Jake Delhomme was benched due to injury. Matt Moore became the starting quarterback. With a more aggressive offense, the Panthers won four of their last five games. This included beating the Minnesota Vikings 26–7. They also crushed the New York Giants 41–9. The Panthers ended the season with 8 wins and 8 losses.
2010 Season: A Tough Year and New Coach
The Panthers lost several key players in 2010. These included QB Jake Delhomme and defensive end Julius Peppers. Their most notable draft pick was quarterback Jimmy Clausen. Matt Moore started the first two games. Then Clausen became the starter. The Panthers started 0–5. Moore returned later in the season and the Panthers got their first win. In the end, the Panthers finished with 2 wins and 14 losses. This was their worst record since 2001. But it also gave them the number one pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Ron Rivera's Time as Coach: 2011–2019
After the tough 2010 season, John Fox was fired. A few months later, the Panthers hired Ron Rivera as their fourth head coach. Rivera was known for his work as a defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears and San Diego Chargers.
2011 Season: Cam Newton's Rookie Year
The Panthers chose quarterback Cam Newton with the 1st overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. Many experts doubted Newton's ability. But Cam went on to break many records. He broke Peyton Manning's rookie passing yard record. He also set a record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season. With Newton's leadership and a great season from Steve Smith, the Panthers finished 6–10. This was four more wins than the year before.
2012 Season: A Strong Finish
The Panthers drafted linebacker Luke Kuechly with the 9th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Carolina started the season 2–8. Many losses were due to late-game mistakes. General manager Marty Hurney was fired after a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. However, the team won 5 of their last 6 games. They finished with a 7–9 record. This was their first season with less than 10 losses since 2009. This strong finish helped Ron Rivera keep his job as head coach.
2013 Season: The Winning Streak
Before the season, the Panthers hired Dave Gettleman as general manager. The Panthers started the season 1–3. Coach Ron Rivera's job was again in danger. But the team bounced back. They went on a franchise-record eight-game winning streak. During this time, the Panthers beat the reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers. They also defeated the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football. The Panthers' defense, led by Luke Kuechly, was amazing. They held opponents to 20 points or less. The streak ended in Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints. But the Panthers finished strong with three more wins. They clinched their third NFC South title and made the playoffs.
In the playoffs, the Panthers hosted the 49ers. The 49ers were healthier this time and defeated the Panthers 23–10. After the season, Rivera won Coach of the Year. Kuechly also won Defensive Player of the Year. He was the first Panther to win that award.
2014 Season: Back-to-Back Playoffs
The Panthers started strong with two wins. But then they had a tough stretch, going 1–8–1 over the next 10 games. This included a 37–37 overtime tie against the Cincinnati Bengals. This was the first tie in team history. The team turned things around in December. They won four games in a row. With these wins, the Panthers finished the season at 7–8–1.
Even with a losing record, the Panthers won their second straight NFC South division title. This was the first time they made the playoffs in back-to-back years. They beat the Arizona Cardinals in the wild-card round. This was their first playoff win in nine years. But they lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional round.
2015 Season: Super Bowl 50 Appearance
The Panthers hoped to improve on their 2014 playoff run. But their top wide receiver, Kelvin Benjamin, was lost for the year due to injury before the season. Despite this, Carolina surprised everyone. They achieved a franchise-best and league-best 15–1 record. This included 14 wins in a row to start the season. Their only regular season loss was to the Atlanta Falcons. Highlights included Cam Newton's flip into the end zone. They also beat the Seattle Seahawks on the road. They won their third straight division title. Ten players were chosen for the Pro Bowl, the most in team history.
In the playoffs, the Panthers had a first-round bye. They faced the Seattle Seahawks at home. Carolina jumped out to a 31–0 halftime lead. Seattle tried to come back, but the Panthers won. Next, the Panthers hosted the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship game. Carolina routed the Cardinals 49–15. They forced seven turnovers. With this win, Carolina advanced to Super Bowl 50. This was their first Super Bowl appearance in 12 years. The Panthers were defeated by the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl by a score of 24–10.
At the NFL Honors, Cam Newton won the NFL MVP award. He was the first Panther to win this honor. He also won Offensive Player of the Year. Ron Rivera won his second Coach of the Year award.
2016 Season: A Step Back
The Panthers aimed to win their division for a fourth straight season. But things did not go well. Top cornerback Josh Norman was cut by general manager Dave Gettleman. Norman then signed with another team. The Panthers' year started with a close loss to the Denver Broncos in a Super Bowl 50 rematch. The team went 1–5 over the first six weeks. They finished with a 6–10 record. Cam Newton had a tough season. The Atlanta Falcons won the NFC South, ending Carolina's three-year run.
2017 Season: Changes and Playoffs
The 2017 season was full of changes. Cam Newton had shoulder surgery. General manager Dave Gettleman was fired. Marty Hurney returned as interim GM. The regular season had ups and downs. This included a win over the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.
In December, owner Jerry Richardson announced he was giving up control of the team. The Panthers finished the regular season 11–5 and made the playoffs. Three Panthers were chosen for the All-Pro team: Luke Kuechly, Andrew Norwell, and Daryl Williams. In the playoffs, the Panthers lost to the Saints 31–26.
2018 Season: New Ownership
After Jerry Richardson's announcement, the Panthers were put up for sale. Ron Rivera signed a contract extension. Changes were made to the coaching staff. Marty Hurney returned as general manager.
On May 22, the NFL approved the team's sale to billionaire David Tepper. Tepper officially became the second owner in team history on July 9. He later hired Tom Glick as team president. Tepper created Tepper Sports & Entertainment as the team's main company.
The 2018 season had ups and downs. The Panthers started 6–2. But then they lost 7 games in a row. A win in New Orleans ended the losing streak. They finished with a 7–9 record. Three Panthers were chosen for the Pro Bowl: Luke Kuechly, Trai Turner, and Kawann Short.
2019 Season: McCaffrey's Big Year
The Panthers lost three veteran players in the offseason. Center Ryan Kalil and defensive end Julius Peppers retired. Linebacker Thomas Davis was released. The 2019 season started poorly. Cam Newton was injured after Week 2. Backup Kyle Allen led the team to win four games in a row. But then the Panthers lost their last eight games. They finished with a 5–11 record. Ron Rivera was fired on December 3.
Running back Christian McCaffrey was a bright spot. He broke several records. He became only the third player in NFL history to have both 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in one season. McCaffrey, Kuechly, and Trai Turner were chosen for the Pro Bowl.
Matt Rhule's Time as Coach: 2020–2022
After Ron Rivera was fired, the Panthers looked for a new coach. In January 2020, Matt Rhule was hired as the Panthers' fifth head coach. Rhule had coached college teams like Baylor and Temple.
2020 Season: New Faces
During the offseason, the Panthers said goodbye to two key players from Super Bowl 50. Former MVP Cam Newton was released. Linebacker Luke Kuechly retired. Rhule brought in a new coaching staff. In the 2020 NFL draft, the Panthers used all seven of their picks on defensive players. This was a first for the team. They picked defensive tackle Derrick Brown and safety/cornerback Jeremy Chinn. The Panthers replaced Newton with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
The 2020 season was difficult. The Panthers lost eight games by seven points or less. Christian McCaffrey was injured for most of the year. Backup Mike Davis started most games at running back. On December 21, general manager Marty Hurney was fired again. The team finished the season 5–11.
2021 Season: Quarterback Carousel
Changes continued before the 2021 offseason. Scott Fitterer was named general manager. Before the draft, the Panthers traded for quarterback Sam Darnold. Teddy Bridgewater was traded away. In the 2021 NFL draft, the Panthers picked cornerback Jaycee Horn with the 8th overall pick. They also made five trades, the most in team history.
The Panthers started the season 3–0. But then they struggled. Injuries to McCaffrey, inconsistent quarterback play, and a weak offensive line hurt the team. Horn was also injured early. The defense played well, but it wasn't enough. The Panthers used three different quarterbacks, including Cam Newton, who returned to the team. Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady was fired. The team finished a disappointing 5–12.
2022 Season: Coaching Change Mid-Season
The Panthers fired three assistant coaches before the offseason. They hired Ben McAdoo as their new offensive coordinator. The team drafted well. They picked offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu and quarterback Matt Corral. Before the season, the team signed former Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield became the starter.
Carolina started the season with a loss. They went 1–4 in their first five games. Mayfield and the offense struggled. After a home loss to the 49ers in Week 5, Matt Rhule was fired. This happened on October 10. Steve Wilks became the team's interim head coach.
Under Wilks, the Panthers improved. They finished the season with a 7–10 record. Wilks went 6–6 as the interim coach. Mayfield was released during the season. PJ Walker and Darnold both started at quarterback. Brian Burns was chosen for his second Pro Bowl.
Frank Reich's Time as Coach: 2023
The Panthers looked for a new coach in the 2022 offseason. On January 26, they announced the hiring of former Colts head coach Frank Reich. Reich is the first offensive-minded coach hired by the Panthers. He was also the Panthers' first starting quarterback in 1995.
2023 Season: A New Quarterback
Reich put together his coaching staff. The Panthers got the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft from the Bears. They used this pick to select quarterback Bryce Young. They also signed wide receiver Adam Thielen, running back Miles Sanders, and cornerback Von Bell.
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