The Carolina Panthers are a member of the South Division of the NFC, or National Football Conference of the NFL. They are based in Charlotte, North Carolina, but the team serves as a representative to both North and South Carolina, which is why they are known simply as the Carolina Panthers. Carolina Panthers history is short, becoming a member of the NFL in 1995 along with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Both teams were added as expansion teams that year. Since then, they have had one Super Bowl appearance to their credit, and a record of 115-119 over 14 seasons. When the Carolina Panthers first became part of the NFL, they were a member of the NFC West division. In 2002, they moved to the NFC south division, which made more practical considering their location. The Carolina Panthers mascot is Sir Purr, and they are managed by Marty Hurney.
Carolina Panthers history started in the late 1980s after the approval of a professional NBA expansion team. The Charlotte Hornets, who are now the New Orleans Hornets, where the basis for former Baltimore Colts player Jerry Richardson to discuss the possibility of having an NFL expansion team as well. His company, Richardson Sports, chose an uptown location in Charlotte where they would build a privately financed stadium that seated more than 70,000 fans. Everyone joined in order to show their support for the cause, an effort to prove to the NFL that Charlotte was worthy of an NFL team. Preseason games were held in the area in 1989, 1990, and 1991, which were all sold out games, again as an effort to show support for the NFL. In 1992, expansion teams were discussed in Charlotte, as well as Baltimore, St. Louis, Memphis, and Jacksonville. However, there was a dispute within the league, and the vote was delayed until 1993. It was on October 26, 1993 that the NFL announced that Carolina would be the 29th franchise for the NFL, which made them the first new team in the league since the 70s.
Carolina Panthers history during the 1995 Season; Dom Capers was appointed as the head coach, and they acquired their team through a newly formed method of drafting. Aside from popular draft picks like Rod Smith, Mark Carrier, and Kerry Collins, the Carolina Panthers were also entitled to use the free agency process. A significant aspect of Carolina Panthers history is that they won their first game of their career, playing the Hall of Fame Game against the Jaguars, who was also a new team that year. The game was known as the “Battle of the Big Cats”, due to their names. All home games in the first season were played at Clemson University since the stadium was still under construction.
Carolina Panthers history was rough in the late 90s; Rae Carruth was convicted of conspiring to murder his pregnant girlfriend, and sent to prison. At that same time, Kerry Collins was cut from the team due to problems with alcoholism and accusations of making racial slurs about his teammates. Fred Lane, who had traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 2000, was killed by his wife shortly after trading teams. During this time, the team made no notable appearances on the field, and Dom Capers was let go after the 98 season. In 1999, George Seifert was hired to replace him, as he had won two Super Bowl titles with the 49ers. However, his time with the team was disastrous, and he was immediately let go in 2001. In 2002, the Carolina Panthers attempted to acquire Steve Spurrier and Tony Dungy, but both declined. So they chose John Fox as their head coach, who was a former defensive coordinator for the Giants. In 2003, Carolina was a much better team, landing them in Super Bowl XXXVIII, which they ended up winning! This sole Super Bowl appearance for the team was a great accomplishment and something notable to go in Carolina Panthers history!
Carolina Panthers history is short, becoming a member of the NFL in 1995 along with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Carolina has had several playoff appearances, along with one Super Bowl appearance in 2003 against the New England Patriots. Carolina Panthers have numerous standout players in their history and four of them that have made it to more than three Pro Bowls. Steve Smith, Julius Peppers, Michael Bates and Wesley Walls all were significant contributors in Carolina Panthers history.
Steve Smith is a 4 time Pro Bowler with close to 8,000 reception yards and over 45 touchdowns to his credit. His first year with the Panthers was in 2001 as a kick returner and then in 2002 he became a starting receiver. Unfortunately for Steve he only played in one game in 2004, limiting his overall career stats. After a rough season he came back big in 2005 awarding him the AP Comeback player of the year. In 2005, Steve had 1,500 yards and over 100 receptions. Julius Peppers is also a 4 time Pro Bowler and was awarded 2002 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. In his rookie year (2002) he had 12 Sacks and now his career total has surpassed 75. Michael Bates, who started in Seattle, then played a year with Cleveland before moving to Carolina. Michael started with the Panthers in 1996 as a kick returner. Former Olympian in 1992 won a bronze medal in the 200-meter dash. He has a remarkable 9110 total yards in kick returns and has returned 5 for touchdowns (NFL record). Wesley Walls played fourteen years in the NFL beginning in 1989 with the 49ers. His Carolina stint was from 1996 to 2003, as their starting tight end. All five of his Pro Bowls were played when he was with the Panthers. It was at Carolina that Wesley Walls made a name for himself with 3,900 yards and 44 touchdowns. Despite early injuries in 1992 and 1993, Walls had a successful NFL career.
