History of Carolina Panthers in Timeline
The Carolina Panthers, an NFL team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, compete in the NFC South division. Their home games are held at Bank of America Stadium in Uptown Charlotte. While their home field has been in Charlotte since 1996, they played their inaugural season (1995) at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. The Panthers enjoy a wide fan base throughout the Carolinas.
1959: Richardson Wins Championship Bonus
Jerry Richardson used his 1959 league championship bonus to co-franchise the first Hardee's restaurant in Spartanburg, SC.
1976: Buccaneers Set Record for Most Consecutive Losses
The 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers set the NFL record for the most consecutive losses in a single season.
1976: Seattle Seahawks Founded
The Seattle Seahawks were founded in 1976.
1980: Last Playoff Shutout Against a Home Team
In 1980, the last playoff shutout against a home team occurred before the Panthers achieved this feat in 2005.
December 15, 1987: Jerry Richardson Announces Bid for NFL Expansion Franchise
On December 15, 1987, entrepreneur Jerry Richardson announced his bid for an NFL expansion franchise in the Carolinas.
1989: Preseason Games Highlight Demand for Carolina Football
To highlight the demand for professional football in the Carolinas, Richardson Sports held preseason games around the area from 1989 to 1991.
1991: Formal Application for Expansion Franchise Filed
In 1991, Richardson Sports formally filed an application for an open expansion spot in the NFL.
October 26, 1993: Carolina Panthers Officially Join NFL
On October 26, 1993, the 28 NFL owners unanimously named the Carolina Panthers as the 29th member of the NFL.
1993: Jerry Richardson Founds the Carolina Panthers
Jerry Richardson founded the Carolina Panthers in 1993 and became the team's first owner. Richardson, along with his family and a group of limited partners, paid \$206 million for the rights to establish the franchise.
1993: Carolina Panthers Announced as NFL Franchise
The Carolina Panthers were announced as the 29th franchise in the NFL in 1993.
1994: Mike McCormack Becomes First Team President
In 1994, Mike McCormack, former Hall of Fame lineman for the Cleveland Browns, became the Carolina Panthers first team president.
1995: Panthers Play Inaugural Season at Memorial Stadium
The Carolina Panthers played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina during their inaugural season in 1995.
1995: Carolina Panthers Begin Playing Football
The Carolina Panthers played their first football game in 1995.
1995: Panthers Hold First Training Camp at Wofford College
The Carolina Panthers held their first training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in 1995.
1995: Panthers Achieve Best Record for Expansion Team
The Carolina Panthers finished their inaugural season in 1995 with a 7-9 record, setting a new record for the best performance by a first-year expansion team.
1995: Panthers and Jaguars Join NFL as Expansion Teams
The Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars joined the NFL as expansion teams in the 1995 NFL season.
1995: Carolina Panthers Join the NFL
In 1995, the Carolina Panthers began competing in the National Football League (NFL) as an expansion team.
1995: John Kasay Begins Tenure with Panthers
In 1995, John Kasay began his tenure as kicker for the Carolina Panthers.
1995: Dom Capers Becomes First Head Coach
Dom Capers became the first head coach of the Carolina Panthers in 1995.
1996: Ericsson Stadium Opens
Ericsson Stadium, the home of the Carolina Panthers, officially opened in 1996 after the team played their inaugural season at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.
1996: Panthers Move to Bank of America Stadium
In 1996, the Carolina Panthers moved to their current home, Bank of America Stadium, located in Uptown Charlotte.
1996: Panthers Lose NFC Championship, Win NFC West Championship
In 1996, the Panthers lost the NFC Championship game but won the NFC West championship.
1997: Mike McCormack Retires, Mark Richardson Becomes President
Mike McCormack retired as team president in 1997. Jerry Richardson's son, Mark, was appointed as the team's second president in 1997.
1997: Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor Established
The Carolina Panthers established their Hall of Honor in 1997 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the organization.
1997: Panthers Finish Second in NFC West
The Carolina Panthers finished second in the NFC West in 1997.
1997: Panthers Finish with 7-9 Record
The Panthers finished with a 7-9 record in the 1997 season.
1998: Dom Capers' Tenure Ends
Dom Capers' time as head coach of the Carolina Panthers ended in 1998.
1998: Panthers Finish with 4-12 Record Leading to Dom Capers' Dismissal
The Panthers finished with a 4-12 record in the 1998 season, leading to the dismissal of head coach, Dom Capers.
1999: Panthers Finish with 8-8 Record Under George Seifert
The Panthers, under the leadership of newly hired head coach George Seifert, finished with an 8-8 record in 1999.
1999: Panthers Finish Second in NFC West
The Carolina Panthers finished second in the NFC West in 1999.
1999: "Stand and Cheer" Pulled Due to Fan Reaction
The Panthers' official fight song, "Stand and Cheer", was pulled in 1999 after receiving negative feedback from fans.
1999: George Seifert Becomes Head Coach
George Seifert took over as the Carolina Panthers head coach in 1999.
2000: Panthers Finish with 7-9 Record
The Carolina Panthers finished with a 7-9 record in 2000.
2001: George Seifert's Tenure Ends
George Seifert's time as Carolina Panthers head coach came to an end in 2001.
2001: Steve Smith Begins Tenure with Panthers
Steve Smith began his time as a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers in 2001.
2001: Panthers Finish 1-15, Seifert Fired
The Carolina Panthers fell to a 1-15 record in 2001, leading to the firing of head coach George Seifert.
December 2002: Panthers Begin Sellout Streak
The Carolina Panthers sold out every home game starting in December 2002.
2002: Panthers Join Newly Created NFC South Division
After the NFL expanded to 32 teams in 2002, the Carolina Panthers moved from the NFC West to the newly created NFC South division.
2002: John Fox Becomes Head Coach
John Fox was hired as the new head coach for the Carolina Panthers in 2002.
2002: Establishment of NFC South Division
The NFC South division was established in 2002.
2002: Seahawks Move to NFC
The Seattle Seahawks moved to the NFC in 2002.
2002: Panthers' Rivalry with Tampa Bay Begins
The rivalry between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers started in 2002 when the NFC South was formed.
2003: Panthers and Buccaneers Rivalry Intensifies
The rivalry between the Panthers and Buccaneers escalated in 2003 due to verbal exchanges between players on both teams. The rivalry further heated up when the Panthers defeated the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay in a game described as "one of the most physical contests in recent memory".
2003: Panthers Win NFC Championship and NFC South Championship
The Carolina Panthers won both the NFC Championship and the NFC South Championship in 2003.
2003: Keep Pounding Fund Established
The Carolina Panthers and Carolinas HealthCare Foundation launched the Keep Pounding Fund in 2003. This fundraising initiative supports cancer research and patient programs.
2003: Panthers Win NFC Championship and Reach Super Bowl XXXVIII
In 2003, the Carolina Panthers won the NFC Championship game but lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII.
2003: Panthers Reach Super Bowl XXXVIII
In 2003, the Carolina Panthers achieved an 11-5 record, clinching the NFC South title. Their journey led them to Super Bowl XXXVIII, where they faced the New England Patriots, ultimately losing in a close game with a score of 32-29. This Super Bowl is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time.
2003: "Keep Pounding" Speech
In 2003, during a speech before a playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sam Mills introduced the phrase "Keep Pounding" as a motivational tool, comparing his battle with cancer to the team's fight on the field.
2003: Panthers Return to Super Bowl After 12 Years
In 2015, the Panthers reached Super Bowl 50 after defeating the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs. This marked their first Super Bowl appearance since the 2003 season.
2004: Panthers Rebound After Difficult Start
Despite a challenging 1-7 start in 2004, the Panthers managed to recover, winning six of their last seven games. However, they ended the season with a 7-9 record, missing the playoffs after losing their final game to New Orleans.
2004: Ericsson Stadium Renamed Bank of America Stadium
In 2004, Ericsson Stadium was renamed to Bank of America Stadium.
2004: Sam Mills Delivers Inspiring Speech
In 2004, during a playoff game against the Cowboys, Sam Mills delivered a motivational speech that would later inspire the Keep Pounding Drum tradition.
2005: Sam Mills Passes Away
Former Carolina Panthers player and coach, Sam Mills, passed away from cancer in 2005.
2005: Panthers Lose NFC Championship, Finish Second in NFC South
In 2005, the Panthers lost the NFC Championship game and finished second in the NFC South.
2005: Panthers Make Playoffs
The Carolina Panthers made a playoff appearance in 2005.
2005: Panthers Secure Wild Card Berth and Playoff Wins
The Panthers improved to an 11-5 record in 2005, earning a wild-card playoff spot. They achieved notable playoff victories, including a 23-0 shutout against the New York Giants, marking the NFL's first playoff shutout against a home team since 1980.
2006: Panthers Disappoint Despite High Expectations
Despite entering the 2006 season as favorites to win the NFC South and signing Keyshawn Johnson, the Panthers fell short of expectations, finishing with an 8-8 record.
2006: "Stand and Cheer" Makes a Comeback
In 2006, the Panthers reinstated "Stand and Cheer" as the team's official fight song.
2006: Panthers' Home Attendance Reaches Top 10
Starting in 2006, the Carolina Panthers' home attendance consistently ranked within the top 10 in the NFL.
2006: Panthers Finish Second in NFC South
The Carolina Panthers finished second in the NFC South in 2006.
2007: Panthers Struggle with Delhomme's Injury
The Panthers experienced a difficult 2007 season, ending with a 7-9 record after their quarterback, Jake Delhomme, suffered an early season-ending elbow injury.
2007: Sports Illustrated Ranks Panthers' Fan Experience
In 2007, Sports Illustrated ranked the Carolina Panthers as having the 10th highest "NFL Fan Value Experience", praising the atmosphere created by their fans and unique tailgating traditions.
2007: Panthers Finish Second in NFC South
The Carolina Panthers finished second in the NFC South in 2007.
2008: Lions Break Buccaneers' Losing Streak Record
The 2008 Detroit Lions broke the record held by the 1976 Buccaneers for the most consecutive losses in a single season.
2008: Panthers Win NFC South and Secure First-Round Bye
The Carolina Panthers had a strong 2008 season, finishing with a 12-4 record and clinching the NFC South title. Their performance earned them a first-round bye in the playoffs.
2008: Panthers Make Playoffs
The Carolina Panthers made a playoff appearance in 2008.
2008: Panthers Win NFC South Championship
The Carolina Panthers won the NFC South Championship in 2008.
2008: Jonathan Stewart Begins Tenure with Panthers
Jonathan Stewart's tenure as running back for the Carolina Panthers began in 2008.
2009: Mark and Jon Richardson Resign
In 2009, Mark and Jon Richardson unexpectedly resigned from their positions as team president and president of Bank of America Stadium, respectively.
2009: Illegal Hit on Clifton Smith Sparks Melee
In 2009, an illegal hit on Tampa Bay punt returner Clifton Smith caused a brief fight between the Panthers and Buccaneers, further fueling their rivalry.
2009: Delhomme's Struggles and Moore's Emergence
Jake Delhomme's performance declined in 2009, throwing 18 interceptions in 11 games before a season-ending finger injury. Backup quarterback Matt Moore stepped in, leading the team to a 4-1 finish and an 8-8 record.
2010: John Fox's Tenure Ends
John Fox's time as Carolina Panthers head coach ended in 2010.
2010: John Kasay's Tenure With Panthers Ends
John Kasay's time as kicker for the Carolina Panthers ended in 2010.
2010: Panthers and Fisher Athletic Provide Equipment Grants
Since 2010, the Panthers and Fisher Athletic have teamed up to give out six equipment grants annually to high school football teams in the Carolinas.
2010: Panthers End Season with League-Worst Record
The Panthers experienced a dismal 2010 season, concluding with a 2-14 record, the worst in the league. Their offensive struggles were a significant factor in their poor performance.
2011: Cam Newton Drafted, Panthers Finish 6-10
The Carolina Panthers drafted Cam Newton, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Auburn, as the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. They finished the season 6-10.
2011: Cam Newton Begins Tenure with Panthers
Cam Newton started his time as quarterback for the Carolina Panthers in 2011.
2011: Ron Rivera Becomes Head Coach
In 2011, Ron Rivera took over as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.
July 30, 2012: Carolina Panthers Day in South Carolina
On July 30, 2012, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley declared "Carolina Panthers Day" in the state.
2012: Keep Pounding Drum Introduced
At the start of the 2012 season, the Panthers introduced the Keep Pounding Drum. Inspired by Sam Mills' motivational speech in 2004, an honorary guest hits the six-foot drum four times before each game to represent each quarter.
2012: Nike Becomes NFL Jersey Supplier
Nike became the NFL's official jersey supplier in 2012 and altered the Carolina Panthers' collar to honor former player and coach, Sam Mills, with the phrase "Keep Pounding".
2012: ESPN Observes Panthers Fanbase
Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com observed in 2012 that the Carolina Panthers had a strong core of dedicated fans who brought energy to Bank of America Stadium.
2012: Panthers Finish Second in NFC South
The Carolina Panthers finished second in the NFC South in 2012.
2012: Panthers Struggle Early, Hurney Fired
The Panthers had a difficult start to the 2012 season, losing five of their first six games. This led to the firing of longtime general manager Marty Hurney. Despite a 2-8 start, they recovered to win five of their last six games, finishing with a 7-9 record.
2012: "Keep Pounding" Chant Introduced
The Panthers introduced a "Keep Pounding" chant at the start of the 2012 season. Before each home game's kickoff, fans on one side of the stadium shout "Keep" and the other side responds with "Pounding".
2013: Steve Smith's Tenure with Panthers Ends
In 2013, Steve Smith's time as a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers ended.
2013: WCCB Loses Fox Affiliation
In 2013, WCCB lost its affiliation with Fox, which was then acquired by WJZY.
2013: Panthers Begin Three Consecutive NFC South Titles
In 2013, the Carolina Panthers began a streak of three consecutive NFC South titles.
2013: Panthers Win NFC South Championship
The Carolina Panthers won the NFC South Championship in 2013.
2014: Panthers Win NFC South Championship
The Carolina Panthers won the NFC South Championship in 2014.
2014: Panthers Win NFC South Despite Losing Record
In 2014, the Carolina Panthers secured their second consecutive NFC South championship despite a losing record of 7-8-1, benefiting from a four-game winning streak to close out the season.
2014: Panthers Lose to Seattle Seahawks in Divisional Round
The Carolina Panthers lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round of the playoffs in 2014.
2015: Panthers Return to Super Bowl But Lose to Denver Broncos
In 2015, the Carolina Panthers returned to the Super Bowl but lost to the Denver Broncos.
2015: Panthers Win NFC Championship and NFC South Championship
In 2015, the Panthers won both the NFC Championship and the NFC South Championship.
2015: Panthers Achieve Best Regular Season Record in NFC History
The Panthers achieved a historic 15-1 regular season record in 2015, tying for the best in NFC history. This remarkable season included Cam Newton being named NFL MVP and the team securing its third consecutive NFC South championship.
2016: Sam Mills' Jersey Retired
As of 2016, Sam Mills remained the only player to have his jersey number (#51) retired by the Carolina Panthers.
2016: #OneCarolina Hashtag
During the 2016 NFC Championship and Super Bowl, the hashtag #OneCarolina was widely used by sports teams from both North and South Carolina to show their support for the Carolina Panthers.
2016: Panthers Regress, Miss Playoffs
The Carolina Panthers experienced a setback in 2016, regressing from their 15-1 record in 2015 to a 6-10 record. This resulted in a last-place finish in the NFC South and their first absence from the playoffs since 2012.
2017: Danny Morrison Resigns
Danny Morrison, who had replaced Mark Richardson as president in 2009, resigned in early 2017.
2017: Panthers' Most Recent Playoff Appearance
The Carolina Panthers made their most recent playoff appearance in 2017.
2017: Panthers Qualify for Playoffs
The Carolina Panthers qualified for the playoffs in 2017.
2017: Panthers Return to Playoffs, Lose in Wild Card Round
The Carolina Panthers returned to the playoffs in 2017 with an 11-5 record and a #5 seed. However, they faced a 31-26 defeat against the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card Round, marking their first loss in that round in franchise history.
May 16, 2018: David Tepper Agrees to Purchase Panthers
On May 16, 2018, David Tepper, a former minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, finalized an agreement to acquire the Carolina Panthers for a record price of nearly $2.3 billion.
May 22, 2018: David Tepper Acquires Carolina Panthers
On May 22, 2018, David Tepper's purchase of the Carolina Panthers from founder Jerry Richardson was unanimously approved by league owners.
July 9, 2018: Sale of Panthers to Tepper Officially Closes
The sale of the Carolina Panthers to David Tepper officially closed on July 9, 2018, finalizing his ownership of the team.
August 2018: Tom Glick Hired as Team President
In August 2018, Tom Glick, former COO of Manchester City, was hired as the Carolina Panthers team president.
2018: Jonathan Stewart's Tenure with Panthers Ends
Jonathan Stewart's time as running back for the Carolina Panthers ended in 2018.
June 5, 2019: Formal Announcement of New Practice Facility
The Carolina Panthers made a formal announcement of their plan for a new, $1 billion practice facility in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on June 5, 2019, after six months of discussions and state approval for $115 million in incentives.
July 2019: Groundbreaking for Rock Hill Facility
Groundbreaking for the Carolina Panthers' new practice facility in Rock Hill took place in July 2019.
December 3, 2019: Ron Rivera Fired, Perry Fewell Named Interim Head Coach
On December 3, 2019, Ron Rivera was fired as head coach after a home loss against the Washington Redskins. Perry Fewell was named interim head coach the same day.
2019: WSOC Becomes Panthers' Television Partner
In 2019, WSOC-TV took over as the Carolina Panthers' main television partner, replacing their previous long-term partner, WCCB.
2019: Panthers Unveil New Uniforms
The Carolina Panthers unveiled new uniforms in 2019, Nike's "Vapor Untouchable" design, which kept the same colors and overall look but featured minor changes to the pants, shoulder cloth, and hip logos.
2019: Panthers Struggle, Rivera Fired
The Panthers experienced a disappointing 2019 season, finishing 5-11 after losing their last eight games. This led to the firing of head coach Ron Rivera late in the season. Perry Fewell served as interim coach for the remaining games.
2020: Cam Newton's Tenure with Panthers Ends
In 2020, Cam Newton's time as quarterback for the Carolina Panthers came to an end.
2021: Panthers Announce Preseason Broadcasting Team
As of 2021, the Panthers' preseason television broadcasting team features play-by-play commentator Taylor Zarzour, former Panthers player and color analyst Steve Smith, and sideline reporter Kristen Balboni.
March 2022: First Transgender Cheerleader in NFL
In March 2022, the Carolina Topcats made history by welcoming Justine Lindsay, the first transgender cheerleader in the NFL.
April 19, 2022: Termination of Rock Hill Agreement
On April 19, 2022, the Carolina Panthers' agreement with Rock Hill for a new practice facility was terminated, and owner David Tepper filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
2023: Panthers Valued at \$4.1 Billion
In 2023, Forbes estimated the Carolina Panthers to be valued at \$4.1 billion.
2023: Expected Completion Date of Rock Hill Facility
The Carolina Panthers' new practice facility in Rock Hill was expected to be completed by summer 2023 but was ultimately terminated in 2022.
May 13, 2024: Panthers Roster Updated
On May 13, 2024, the Carolina Panthers updated their roster.
2024: Panthers Remain Newest NFC Club
As of 2024, the Carolina Panthers remain the newest club in the NFC, excluding the Seattle Seahawks.