History of Carolina Panthers in Timeline

The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team located in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are members of the NFC South division of the NFL. Their home stadium is Bank of America Stadium, located in uptown Charlotte. The Panthers played their inaugural season home games in Clemson, South Carolina in 1995 before moving to Charlotte in 1996. The team has a strong fan base throughout North and South Carolina.

1959: Richardson's League Championship Bonus

In 1959, Jerry Richardson, a former wide receiver on the Baltimore Colts, used his league championship bonus to co-franchise the first Hardee's restaurant in Spartanburg, SC.

1976: Buccaneers' Winless Season

In 1976, the Buccaneers had a winless season, holding the record for most consecutive losses in a single season until the 2001 Carolina Panthers broke the record.

1980: NFL's First Playoff Shutout Against Home Team

In 2005, The Carolina Panthers beat the New York Giants 23-0 for the NFL's first playoff shutout against a home team since 1980.

December 15, 1987: Jerry Richardson announces bid for NFL expansion franchise

On December 15, 1987, Jerry Richardson announced his bid for an NFL expansion franchise in the Carolinas, drawing inspiration from George Shinn's successful bid for an NBA team in Charlotte.

1989: Preseason Games Held

In 1989, Richardson Sports held preseason games around the Carolinas, with the first game at Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina.

1991: Application Filed for Expansion Spot

In 1991, Richardson Sports formally filed an application for the open NFL expansion spot.

October 1993: Panthers Announced as 29th NFL Team

In October 1993, the Carolina Panthers were announced as the 29th NFL team. The logo and helmet design were finalized, but the uniform design was still under creation.

October 26, 1993: Carolina Panthers Named as 29th NFL Member

On October 26, 1993, the 28 NFL owners unanimously named the Carolina Panthers as the 29th member of the NFL.

1993: Richardson and Investors Pay for Rights to Start the Team

In 1993, Jerry Richardson and other investors paid $206 million for the rights to start the Carolina Panthers team.

1993: Panthers Announced as 29th Franchise

In 1993, the Carolina Panthers were officially announced as the 29th franchise in the National Football League (NFL).

1994: Mike McCormack becomes first team president

In 1994, Mike McCormack became the first team president of the Carolina Panthers.

1995: Practice Location at Winthrop University

During the 1995 season, when the Carolina Panthers played their home games in South Carolina, the team held their practices at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

1995: Dom Capers becomes head coach

In 1995, Dom Capers became the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.

1995: John Kasay's Start with the Panthers

In 1995, John Kasay started his 16-season tenure with the Carolina Panthers.

1995: Carolina Panthers Begin Playing Football

In 1995, the Carolina Panthers began playing football.

1995: Inaugural Season

In 1995, the Carolina Panthers began their inaugural season in the NFL, finishing with a 7–9 record, which was the best record for an NFL expansion team's first season.

1995: Kerry Collins Drafted

In the 1995 NFL draft, the Carolina Panthers selected quarterback Kerry Collins out of Penn State with their first ever draft selection.

1996: Home games in Charlotte

In 1996, the Carolina Panthers began playing their home games in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Bank of America Stadium in Uptown Charlotte. This stadium has served as the team's home field since then.

1996: NFC Championship Game Loss and NFC West Championship

In 1996, the Carolina Panthers lost in the NFC Championship Game and won the NFC West championship.

1996: Opening of Ericsson Stadium

In the summer of 1996, Ericsson Stadium (later Bank of America Stadium) opened. It was designed for football and serves as the Carolina Panthers' headquarters and administrative offices.

1997: Mike McCormack Inducted into Hall of Honor and Mark Richardson Appointed as Team President

In 1997, Mike McCormack was inducted as the first person in the Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor, and Jerry Richardson's son, Mark, was appointed as the team's second president.

1997: Establishment of the Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor

In 1997, the Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor was established to recognize individuals for their contributions to the Carolina Panthers organization.

1997: 7-9 Season

In 1997, the Carolina Panthers finished the season with a 7-9 record.

1998: Dom Capers Head Coach Tenure Ends

In 1998, Dom Capers tenure as head coach of the Carolina Panthers ended.

1998: White Jerseys with Silver Pants

In 1998, the Carolina Panthers paired their white jerseys with silver pants in a game against the Indianapolis Colts.

1998: 4-12 Season and Capers' Dismissal

In 1998, the Carolina Panthers slipped to a 4-12 record, which led to Dom Capers' dismissal as head coach.

1999: Removal of "Stand and Cheer" fight song

Due to negative fan reaction, "Stand and Cheer", the Carolina Panthers' official fight song, was pulled in 1999.

1999: George Seifert becomes head coach

In 1999, George Seifert became the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.

1999: 8-8 Season

In 1999, George Seifert led the Carolina Panthers to an 8-8 record.

2000: 7-9 Season

In 2000, the Carolina Panthers finished with a 7-9 record.

2001: George Seifert Head Coach Tenure Ends

In 2001, George Seifert's tenure as head coach of the Carolina Panthers ended.

2001: Steve Smith's Start with the Panthers

In 2001, Steve Smith started his 13-year tenure with the Carolina Panthers.

2001: 1-15 Season and Seifert's Firing

In 2001, the Carolina Panthers had a poor performance, falling to 1-15, tying an NFL record for most losses in a single season and breaking the record for most consecutive losses in a single season. This led to the firing of George Seifert.

2002: John Fox becomes head coach

In 2002, John Fox became the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.

2002: Introduction of Blue Alternate Jerseys

In 2002, the Carolina Panthers introduced their blue jerseys as their alternate uniforms.

2002: Relocation to NFC South and Drafting Julius Peppers

In 2002, the Carolina Panthers were relocated from the NFC West to the newly created NFC South division. They drafted Julius Peppers and hired John Fox as head coach, finishing the season with a 7-9 record.

2002: Origin of Panthers' rivalry with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In 2002, the Carolina Panthers' rivalry with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers originated with the formation of the NFC South.

2002: Establishment of NFC South

Since the establishment of the NFC South division in 2002, the Carolina Panthers have tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints for seven NFC South titles.

2003: Escalation of rivalry with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Before the 2003 season, the Panthers' rivalry with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers escalated due to verbal exchanges between players and a physical game where the Panthers won.

2003: Super Bowl XXXVIII Appearance

In 2003, after signing quarterback Jake Delhomme, the Carolina Panthers improved to an 11–5 record, won the NFC South, defeated the Dallas Cowboys, the St. Louis Rams, and the Philadelphia Eagles to advance to Super Bowl XXXVIII, where they lost to the New England Patriots 32–29.

2003: NFC Championship Game Win and NFC South Championship

In 2003, the Carolina Panthers won in the NFC Championship Game and won the NFC South championship.

2003: NFC Championship and Super Bowl XXXVIII Appearance

In 2003, the Carolina Panthers won the NFC Championship Game and reached Super Bowl XXXVIII, where they lost to the New England Patriots 32–29.

2003: Establishment of the Keep Pounding Fund

In 2003, the Panthers and Carolinas HealthCare Foundation established the Keep Pounding Fund to support cancer research and patient support programs.

2003: Sam Mills' "Keep Pounding" Speech

Prior to their 2003 playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sam Mills gave a speech to the players and coaches where he introduced the phrase "Keep Pounding", comparing his fight against cancer with the team's on-field battle.

2003: First Super Bowl Appearance

The 2015 Carolina Panthers Super Bowl 50 appearance was the first since the 2003 season.

2004: Late Season Rebound

After a 1-7 start in 2004, the Carolina Panthers rebounded to win six of their last seven games despite numerous injuries, ultimately finishing the season at 7-9.

2004: Ericsson Stadium Renamed Bank of America Stadium

In 2004, Ericsson Stadium was renamed Bank of America Stadium.

2004: Sam Mills' Motivational Speech

In 2004, Sam Mills delivered a motivational speech before the team's playoff game against the Cowboys, which later inspired the "Keep Pounding Drum".

2005: Playoff Berth and NFC Championship Game Loss

In 2005, the Carolina Panthers improved to 11-5, clinched a playoff berth, and defeated the New York Giants and Chicago Bears in the playoffs before losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game.

2005: NFC Championship Game Loss

In 2005, the Carolina Panthers lost in the NFC Championship Game.

2005: Death of Sam Mills

Sam Mills died of cancer in 2005. Mills introduced the phrase "Keep Pounding".

2006: Disappointing Season

Despite being favored to win the NFC South and signing Keyshawn Johnson, the Carolina Panthers finished the 2006 season with a disappointing 8-8 record.

2006: Home Attendance Ranking in NFL's Top Ten

In 2006, the Carolina Panthers' home attendance began ranking in the NFL's top ten, demonstrating strong fan support.

2006: Return of "Stand and Cheer"

Since 2006, the song "Stand and Cheer" has returned and the team plays Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" after home victories.

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2007: Sports Illustrated grades Panthers' Fan Value Experience

In 2007, Sports Illustrated graded the Carolina Panthers as having the 10th highest "NFL Fan Value Experience", noting the team's newness and unique tailgating scene.

2007: Losing Record After Delhomme Injury

In 2007, the Carolina Panthers finished with a 7-9 record after losing quarterback Jake Delhomme early in the season due to an elbow injury.

2008: Jonathan Stewart's Start with the Panthers

In 2008, Jonathan Stewart started his tenure with the Carolina Panthers.

2008: Playoff Appearance

In 2008, the Carolina Panthers made another playoff appearance.

2008: NFC South Title and Divisional Round Loss

In 2008, the Carolina Panthers rebounded with a 12–4 regular season record, winning the NFC South and securing a first-round bye, but were eliminated in the divisional round of the playoffs by the Arizona Cardinals.

2008: NFC South Championship

In 2008, the Carolina Panthers won the NFC South championship.

2008: Lions' Loss Record

In 2008, the Detroit Lions tied the NFL record for most losses in a single season.

2009: Delhomme's Interceptions and Injury

In 2009, Jake Delhomme struggled with 18 interceptions before breaking a finger, leading to Matt Moore finishing the season with the Panthers at 8–8.

2009: Resignation of Mark and Jon Richardson

In 2009, Mark and Jon Richardson unexpectedly stepped down from their positions within the Carolina Panthers organization.

2009: Melee during game against Tampa Bay

In 2009, an illegal hit on Tampa Bay's Clifton Smith sparked a brief melee between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2010: John Fox Head Coach Tenure Ends

In 2010, John Fox's tenure as head coach of the Carolina Panthers ended.

2010: John Kasay's Career Ends with the Panthers

In 2010, John Kasay ended his 16-season career with the Carolina Panthers, having scored 1,482 points.

2010: League-Worst Record and Fox's Departure

In 2010, after releasing Jake Delhomme, the Carolina Panthers finished with a league-worst 2–14 record, leading to the expiration of John Fox's contract.

2010: Carolina Panthers Charities Equipment Grants

Since 2010, Carolina Panthers Charities, in conjunction with Fisher Athletic, has provided six equipment grants to high school football teams in the Carolinas each year.

2011: Cam Newton's Start with the Panthers

In 2011, Cam Newton started his nine-season tenure with the Carolina Panthers.

2011: Ron Rivera becomes head coach

In 2011, Ron Rivera became the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.

2011: Hiring Rivera and Drafting Newton

In 2011, the Carolina Panthers hired Ron Rivera as head coach and drafted Cam Newton, who won AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and set NFL records for rushing touchdowns and passing yards by a rookie quarterback. The Panthers finished the 2011 season with a 6-10 record.

July 30, 2012: "Carolina Panthers Day" in South Carolina

On July 30, 2012, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley declared it "Carolina Panthers Day" in the state.

2012: "Keep Pounding" chant introduced

During the 2012 season, the "keep pounding" chant was introduced before the opening kickoff of each home game.

2012: Firing of Hurney and Strong Finish

In 2012, after a poor start, the Panthers fired general manager Marty Hurney but finished strong, winning five of their last six games for a 7-9 record.

2012: Panthers Logo and Logotype Change

In 2012, the Carolina Panthers changed their logo and logotype, marking the first such change in team history to give their logo an aggressive, contemporary look.

2012: All-Black Uniform Debut

In 2012, the Carolina Panthers debuted an all-black uniform, pairing their black jerseys with new black pants during a game against the Denver Broncos. The uniform also featured blue socks.

2012: "Keep Pounding" Added to Jersey Collar

In 2012, when Nike became the NFL's jersey supplier, the Carolina Panthers' uniform collar was altered to feature the phrase "Keep Pounding" to honor former player and coach Sam Mills.

2012: Introduction of the Keep Pounding Drum

Starting with the 2012 season, the Panthers introduced the Keep Pounding Drum, inspired by Sam Mills' motivational speech. Before each home game, an honorary drummer hits the drum four times.

2012: Last Playoff Appearance Before Regression

The 2016 season was the first time the Carolina Panthers missed the playoffs since 2012.

July 2013: All-Black Uniform Wins "Greatest Uniform in NFL History" Contest

In July 2013, the Carolina Panthers' all-black uniform won the "Greatest Uniform in NFL History" contest, which was a fan-voted contest run by NFL.com. At the time, Jackie Miles, the team's equipment manager, mentioned the intention to use the uniform more often in the future.

2013: Steve Smith's Career Ends with the Panthers

In 2013, Steve Smith's 13-year tenure with the Carolina Panthers ended, having recorded 12,197 receiving yards.

2013: WCCB lost Fox affiliation to WJZY

In 2013, WCCB lost the Fox affiliation to WJZY but retained its role as the Carolina Panthers television partner.

2013: Playoff Appearance and NFC South Title

In 2013, the Carolina Panthers made a playoff appearance and won the first of three consecutive NFC South titles.

2013: NFC South Championship

In 2013, the Carolina Panthers won the NFC South championship.

2014: NFC South Championship Despite Losing Record

In 2014, despite a 3-8-1 record after 12 games and a seven-game winless streak, the Carolina Panthers ended the season with a four-game winning streak, securing their second consecutive NFC South championship with a 7-8-1 record. They defeated the Arizona Cardinals in the wild card round before losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional playoffs.

2014: Divisional Round Loss

In 2014, the Carolina Panthers lost in the divisional round to the Seattle Seahawks.

2014: NFC South Championship

In 2014, the Carolina Panthers won the NFC South championship.

2015: All-Blue Uniform Debut

During the Carolina Panthers' 2015 Thanksgiving Day game against the Dallas Cowboys, they debuted an all-blue uniform as part of Nike's "Color Rush" series.

2015: Super Bowl Appearance

In 2015, the Carolina Panthers returned to the Super Bowl but lost to the Denver Broncos.

2015: NFC Championship Game Win and NFC South Championship

In 2015, the Carolina Panthers won the NFC Championship Game and won the NFC South championship.

2015: 15-1 Season and Super Bowl 50 Appearance

The 2015 season saw the Carolina Panthers start 14-0 and finish 15-1, tying for the best regular-season record in NFC history. Cam Newton was named NFL MVP. The Panthers defeated the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs to advance to Super Bowl 50, where they lost to the Denver Broncos. The Panthers also secured their third consecutive NFC South championship.

2016: Sam Mills Jersey Retired

As of 2016, Sam Mills is the only player to have had his jersey number (#51) retired by the Carolina Panthers.

2016: Regression and Playoff Miss

In the 2016 season, the Carolina Panthers regressed, posting a 6-10 record and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

2017: Wild Card Round Loss

In 2017, the Carolina Panthers finished with an 11-5 record and lost to the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card Round, their first loss in that round in franchise history.

2017: Danny Morrison Resigns

In early 2017, Danny Morrison resigned as team president.

2017: Panthers and Saints face off in their lone postseason meeting

In the 2017-18 postseason, the Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints faced off in their lone postseason meeting in the Wild Card Round, with the Saints being victorious 31-26.

May 16, 2018: David Tepper Finalizes Purchase of Panthers

On May 16, 2018, David Tepper finalized an agreement to purchase the Carolina Panthers for nearly $2.3 billion, which was a record sale price at the time. Tepper was previously a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

May 22, 2018: David Tepper Approved as New Owner

On May 22, 2018, league owners unanimously approved David Tepper's purchase of the Carolina Panthers from founder Jerry Richardson.

July 9, 2018: Panthers Sale Officially Closed

On July 9, 2018, the sale of the Carolina Panthers to David Tepper officially closed.

August 2018: Tom Glick hired as team president

In August 2018, Tom Glick was hired as the team president for the Carolina Panthers.

2018: Jonathan Stewart's Career Ends with the Panthers

In 2018, Jonathan Stewart's tenure with the Carolina Panthers ended, having rushed for 6,868 yards.

June 5, 2019: Announcement of New Practice Facility Plan

On June 5, 2019, the Carolina Panthers formally announced their plan for a new $1 billion team headquarters and training facility on a 240-acre site in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

July 2019: Groundbreaking for New Practice Facility

In July 2019, groundbreaking took place for the Carolina Panthers' new team headquarters and training facility in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

December 3, 2019: Ron Rivera Fired; Perry Fewell Named Interim Head Coach

On December 3, 2019, Ron Rivera was fired as head coach of the Carolina Panthers, and Perry Fewell was named interim head coach.

2019: WSOC-TV becomes flagship station

In 2019, WSOC-TV in Charlotte took over as the Carolina Panthers' television partner, replacing WCCB.

2019: New Uniforms Unveiled

In 2019, the Carolina Panthers unveiled new uniforms, which are Nike's "Vapor Untouchable" and feature minor differences from the originals.

January 7, 2020: Matt Rhule Hired as Head Coach

On January 7, 2020, the Carolina Panthers hired Matt Rhule, who was the head coach at Baylor, to be their new head coach.

January 15, 2020: Luke Kuechly Announces Retirement

On January 15, 2020, Luke Kuechly announced his retirement from the NFL.

March 17, 2020: Panthers Sign Teddy Bridgewater

On March 17, 2020, the Carolina Panthers signed Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year contract worth $63 million.

2020: Cam Newton's Career Ends with the Panthers

In 2020, Cam Newton's nine-season career with the Carolina Panthers ended, having thrown for 29,041 yards.

November 11, 2021: Cam Newton Signed by Panthers

On November 11, 2021, Cam Newton signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers after Sam Darnold was placed on injured reserve.

2021: Preseason television broadcasting team

As of 2021, the Carolina Panthers' preseason television broadcasting team consists of Taylor Zarzour, Steve Smith, and Kristen Balboni.

March 2022: Carolina Topcats become the first NFL cheerleading team to have a transgender member

In March 2022, the Carolina Topcats made history by becoming the first NFL cheerleading team to include a transgender member, Justine Lindsay.

April 19, 2022: Agreement for Rock Hill Facility Terminated

On April 19, 2022, the agreement with Rock Hill for the Carolina Panthers' new team headquarters and training facility was terminated, and owner David Tepper filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

October 10, 2022: Matt Rhule Fired as Head Coach

On October 10, 2022, Matt Rhule was fired as the Carolina Panthers' head coach after a 1–4 start to the season. Steve Wilks was named the interim head coach.

2022: Secondary Black Helmets Unveiled

In 2022, after the NFL reinstated the use of alternate helmets, the Carolina Panthers unveiled secondary black helmets that featured no white elements on the team logo.

January 26, 2023: Frank Reich Hired as Head Coach

On January 26, 2023, Frank Reich, former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, was hired as the Carolina Panthers' new head coach.

November 27, 2023: Frank Reich Fired as Head Coach

On November 27, 2023, Frank Reich was fired as the Carolina Panthers' head coach after a 1–10 start to the season. Chris Tabor coached the remainder of the season.

2023: Team valued at $4.1 billion

In 2023, Forbes estimated the Carolina Panthers' value at $4.1 billion.

January 25, 2024: Dave Canales Hired as Head Coach

On January 25, 2024, Dave Canales, former offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was hired as the Carolina Panthers' new head coach.

2024: Training Camp Moved to Charlotte

In 2024, the Carolina Panthers moved their annual training camp to Charlotte, ending their long-time presence at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, since 1995.

2024: Frequent Uniform Mixing and Matching

Since 2018, the Carolina Panthers have frequently mixed and matched their uniforms; during the 2024 season alone, the team wore 14 different combinations on the field.

2025: Falcons lead all-time series against the Panthers

As of the 2025 season, the Atlanta Falcons lead the all-time series against the Carolina Panthers 37–25; however, they have never met in the postseason.