History of Carolina Panthers in Timeline

The Carolina Panthers are an NFL team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, competing in the NFC South division. They play at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, although their inaugural season (1995) home games were held in Clemson, South Carolina. The team represents both North and South Carolina.

1959: League championship bonus

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

1976: Tied NFL Record for Most Losses

In 2001, the Panthers tied the NFL record held by the 1976 Buccaneers for most losses in a single season.

1980: Playoff Shutout

In 2005, the 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 announced 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 Held

From 1989 to 1991, Richardson Sports held preseason games around the Carolinas to highlight the demand for professional football.

1991: Preseason Games Held

From 1989 to 1991, Richardson Sports held preseason games around the Carolinas to highlight the demand for professional football. In 1991, the group formally filed an application for the open 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 had already been finalized, but the uniform design was still under creation. After discussion, the Panthers organization decided on jerseys colored white, black, and blue and pants colored white and silver.

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 announced as the NFL's 29th franchise.

1994: Mike McCormack becomes team president

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

1995: Practices Held 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. The Panthers have hosted their annual training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, since 1995.

1995: Dom Capers becomes head coach

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

1995: John Kasay's Career Start

In 1995, Kicker John Kasay started his career with the Carolina Panthers and became the team's career points leader.

1995: First Season

In 1995, the Carolina Panthers began play under founding owner Jerry Richardson and finished with a 7-9 record.

1995: Start of Panthers playing football

In 1995, the Carolina Panthers began playing football.

1996: Home games in Charlotte

In 1996, the Carolina Panthers began playing their home games in Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium.

1996: NFC West championship and NFC Championship Game loss

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

1996: Ericsson Stadium Opens

In the summer of 1996, Ericsson Stadium, which has been called Bank of America Stadium since 2004, officially opened. The stadium was designed specifically for football and also serves as the headquarters and administrative offices of the Carolina Panthers.

1997: Mark Richardson appointed as team president

In 1997, Mark Richardson was appointed as the Carolina Panthers' second president.

1997: Second-place finish in NFC West

In 1997, the Carolina Panthers finished second-place in the NFC West.

1997: 7-9 Finish

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

1997: Establishment of Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor

The Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor was established in 1997 to honor individuals for their contributions to the Carolina Panthers organization.

1998: End of Dom Capers' tenure as head coach

Dom Capers' tenure as the Carolina Panthers head coach ended in 1998.

1998: White Jerseys Paired with Silver Pants

In 1998, the Carolina Panthers paired their white jerseys with silver pants in a game against the Indianapolis Colts, marking a departure from their typical uniform combinations.

1998: 4-12 Record and Capers' Dismissal

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

1999: George Seifert becomes head coach

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

1999: 8-8 Record with Seifert

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

1999: "Stand and Cheer" pulled due to fan reaction

In 1999, the Carolina Panthers fight song, "Stand and Cheer", was pulled due to negative fan reaction.

1999: Second-place finish in NFC West

In 1999, the Carolina Panthers finished second-place in the NFC West.

2000: 7-9 Finish

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

2001: End of George Seifert's tenure as head coach

George Seifert's tenure as the Carolina Panthers head coach ended in 2001.

2001: Steve Smith's Career Start

In 2001, Wide receiver Steve Smith started his career with the Carolina Panthers and became the team's leading receiver.

2001: 1-15 Record and Seifert's Dismissal

In 2001, the Carolina Panthers had a 1-15 record, leading to George Seifert's dismissal. Steve Smith was drafted in the third round.

2002: John Fox becomes head coach

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

2002: Blue Alternate Jerseys Introduced

In 2002, the Carolina Panthers introduced their blue jerseys as their alternate uniforms. NFL regulations allow the team to use the blue jersey up to two times in any given season.

2002: Relocation to NFC South

In 2002, the Carolina Panthers were relocated to the newly created NFC South division, after the NFL's expansion to 32 teams.

2002: NFC South Establishment

Since the NFC South division's establishment in 2002, the Carolina Panthers have won five titles, ranking second to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints.

2002: Rivalry with Tampa Bay originates

The rivalry between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers originated in 2002 with the formation of the NFC South.

2003: Escalation of rivalry with verbal bouts

Before the 2003 season, the rivalry between the Panthers and Buccaneers escalated further with verbal bouts between players.

2003: "Keep Pounding" Speech by Sam Mills

In 2003, prior to the Carolina Panthers' playoff game against Dallas, Sam Mills gave a speech to the players and coaches, introducing the phrase "Keep Pounding", which has since become a team slogan.

2003: NFC Championship and Super Bowl XXXVIII

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: NFC South championship and NFC Championship Game win

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

2003: Establishment of 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: Super Bowl XXXVIII Appearance

In the 2003 season, the Carolina Panthers improved to 11-5, won the NFC South, defeated the Cowboys, Rams, and Eagles in the playoffs, and advanced to Super Bowl XXXVIII before losing to the New England Patriots, 32-29.

2003: First Super Bowl Appearance since 2003 season.

The Panthers advanced to Super Bowl 50, their first Super Bowl appearance since the 2003 season.

2004: Ericsson Stadium Renamed Bank of America Stadium

In 2004, Ericsson Stadium was renamed Bank of America Stadium. The stadium serves as the headquarters and administrative offices of the Carolina Panthers.

2004: Near Playoff Berth

In 2004, the Carolina Panthers finished the season at 7-9. Had they won their last game against New Orleans, they would have made the playoffs.

2004: Sam Mills' motivational speech

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

2005: Sam Mills Dies of Cancer

In 2005, Sam Mills, a former Carolina Panthers player and coach, died of cancer. His legacy continues to be honored by the team.

2005: Playoff Berth as Wild Card

In 2005, the Carolina Panthers improved to 11-5, finishing second in the division behind Tampa Bay and clinching a playoff berth as a wild card.

2005: NFC Championship Game loss and second-place finish in NFC South

In 2005, the Carolina Panthers lost the NFC Championship Game and finished second-place in the NFC South.

2005: Playoff Appearance

In 2005, the Carolina Panthers made a playoff appearance.

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: Second-place finish in NFC South

In 2006, the Carolina Panthers finished second-place in the NFC South.

2006: "Stand and Cheer" returns

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

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2006: Home Attendance in NFL Top Ten

Since 2006, the Carolina Panthers' home attendance has ranked in the NFL's top ten, with a home stadium capacity of just under 75,000.

2007: Sports Illustrated Ranks Panthers 10th in "NFL Fan Value Experience"

In 2007, Sports Illustrated graded the Carolina Panthers as having the 10th highest "NFL Fan Value Experience", attributing much of the fan atmosphere to the team's newness compared to the established basketball fanbase.

2007: Second-place finish in NFC South

In 2007, the Carolina Panthers finished second-place in the NFC South.

2007: 7-9 Record

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

2008: Broke Record for most consecutive losses

In 2001, the Panthers broke the record held by the 1976 Buccaneers for most consecutive losses in a single season until broken by the 2008 Lions.

2008: Jonathan Stewart's Career Start

In 2008, Running back Jonathan Stewart started his career with the Carolina Panthers and became the career rushing leader.

2008: Playoff Appearance

In 2008, the Carolina Panthers made a playoff appearance.

2008: NFC South Champions

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.

2009: Delhomme's Struggles

In 2009, Jake Delhomme's struggles continued as he threw 18 interceptions in the first 11 games before breaking a finger in his throwing hand. The Panthers were at a 4-7 record before his injury and finished 8-8 overall.

2009: Resignation of Mark and Jon Richardson

In 2009, Mark and Jon Richardson unexpectedly resigned from their positions with the Carolina Panthers.

2009: Melee sparked by illegal hit

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

2010: End of John Kasay's Panthers Career

In 2010, John Kasay finished his 16 seasons with the Carolina Panthers, scoring 1,482 points.

2010: League-Worst Record

In 2010, the Carolina Panthers finished with a league-worst 2-14 record after releasing Jake Delhomme in the offseason. Their offense was the worst in the league, and John Fox's contract expired.

2010: End of John Fox's tenure as head coach

John Fox's tenure as the Carolina Panthers head coach ended in 2010.

2010: Equipment grants to high school football teams

Since 2010, Carolina Panthers Charities and Fisher Athletic have provided six equipment grants annually to high school football teams in the Carolinas.

2011: Cam Newton's Career Start

In 2011, Quarterback Cam Newton started his career with the Carolina Panthers and became the team's career passing leader.

2011: Ron Rivera becomes head coach

In 2011, Ron Rivera became 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, emphasizing the team's significance to South Carolina.

2012: Introduction of "keep pounding" chant

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

2012: All-Black Uniform Debut

In 2012, during a game against the Denver Broncos, the Carolina Panthers paired their black jerseys with new black pants, creating an all-black uniform, with the exception of blue socks and silver helmets. The decision to wear blue socks was made by team captain Steve Smith.

2012: Logo and Logotype Changed

In 2012, the Carolina Panthers changed their logo and logotype for the first time in team history. The changes were designed to give the logo an "aggressive, contemporary look" and a more three-dimensional feel.

2012: Second-place finish in NFC South

In 2012, the Carolina Panthers finished second-place in the NFC South.

2012: Firing of Marty Hurney

In 2012, the Carolina Panthers opened the season poorly, leading to the firing of general manager Marty Hurney. The team finished with a 7-9 record.

2012: Collar Altered to Honor Sam Mills

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

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, a fan-voted contest run by NFL.com. The team's equipment manager, Jackie Miles, also mentioned that the Panthers intended to use the all-black uniform more often in the future.

2013: WCCB lost the Fox affiliation to WJZY

In 2013, WCCB lost the Fox affiliation to WJZY, but retained its role as the Panthers' television partner until 2019.

2013: End of Steve Smith's Panthers Career

In 2013, Wide receiver Steve Smith finished his 13-year tenure with the Carolina Panthers, recording 12,197 receiving yards.

2013: NFC South championship

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

2014: NFC South Champions

In 2014, the Carolina Panthers finished the season with a 7-8-1 record but won the NFC South. 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.

2015: #OneCarolina Campaign

During the 2015 NFC Championship and Super Bowl, the hashtag #OneCarolina was used by college and professional sports teams from North Carolina and South Carolina to show unified support for the Carolina Panthers.

2015: All-Blue Uniform Debuts for Thanksgiving Day Game

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 South championship and NFC Championship Game win

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

2015: 15-1 Record and Super Bowl 50 Appearance

The 2015 season saw the Carolina Panthers start the season 14-0 and finish the season 15-1. Cam Newton was named NFL MVP, and the team secured their third consecutive NFC South championship. The Panthers lost Super Bowl 50 to the Denver Broncos.

2016: Sam Mills Only Player with Retired Jersey

As of 2016, Sam Mills is the only player to have had his jersey number (#51) retired by the Carolina Panthers. Bronze statues of Mike McCormack and Sam Mills are placed outside the stadium.

2016: 6-10 Record and Missed Playoffs

In the 2016 season, the Carolina Panthers regressed on their 15-1 record from 2015, posting a 6-10 record and missing the playoffs.

2017: Playoff Appearance

In 2017, the Carolina Panthers appeared in the playoffs.

2017: Wild Card Round Loss

In 2017, the Carolina Panthers finished with an 11-5 record but lost to the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card Round.

2017: Danny Morrison resigns

In early 2017, Danny Morrison resigned as president of the Carolina Panthers.

2017: Panthers lone Postseason meeting with the Saints

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

May 16, 2018: David Tepper Finalizes Purchase Agreement

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

May 22, 2018: David Tepper Approved as Owner

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

July 9, 2018: Sale of Panthers Officially Closed

On July 9, 2018, the sale of the Carolina Panthers to David Tepper officially closed, marking a new chapter for the team under new ownership.

August 2018: Tom Glick hired as team president

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

2018: End of Jonathan Stewart's Panthers Career

In 2018, Running back Jonathan Stewart finished his tenure with the Carolina Panthers, rushing for 6,868 yards.

June 5, 2019: Announcement of New Practice Facility

On June 5, 2019, the Carolina Panthers formally announced their plans for a new $1 billion team headquarters and training facility in Rock Hill, South Carolina, nicknamed "The Rock".

July 2019: Groundbreaking for "The Rock" Facility

In July 2019, groundbreaking took place for the Carolina Panthers' new headquarters and training facility, nicknamed "The Rock", in Rock Hill, South Carolina. It was expected to be completed by the summer of 2023.

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 the Panthers' television partner

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

2019: Rivera fired as head coach

In 2019, after starting the season 5-3, the Panthers lost their last eight games, finishing 5-11. Late in the season, owner David Tepper fired Ron Rivera as head coach. Cam Newton sustained a season-ending injury, limiting him to only two games. Kyle Allen and Will Grier filled in as quarterbacks for the remainder of the year.

2019: New Uniforms Unveiled

In 2019, the Carolina Panthers unveiled new uniforms. The new uniforms are Nike's "Vapor Untouchable" and have only minor differences, such as the tapered strips on the pants being replaced by stripes that extend down to the socks.

January 7, 2020: Matt Rhule Hired as Head Coach

On January 7, 2020, the Carolina Panthers hired Matt Rhule, who was previously 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 National Football League (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: End of Cam Newton's Panthers Career

In 2020, Quarterback Cam Newton finished his nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers, throwing for 29,041 yards.

November 11, 2021: Cam Newton Signed to One-Year Deal

On November 11, 2021, the Carolina Panthers signed Cam Newton to a one-year deal 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 have a transgender member

In March 2022, the Carolina Topcats became the first NFL cheerleading team to have a transgender member, Justine Lindsay.

April 19, 2022: Agreement with Rock Hill Terminated

On April 19, 2022, the agreement between the Carolina Panthers and Rock Hill for the construction of a new practice facility was terminated, with owner David Tepper filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

October 10, 2022: Matt Rhule Fired as Head Coach

On October 10, 2022, Matt Rhule was fired as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers after a 1-4 start to the season. His overall record with the team was 11-27. 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, which featured no white elements on the team logo.

January 26, 2023: Frank Reich Hired as Head Coach

On January 26, 2023, Frank Reich, former Indianapolis Colts head coach, was hired as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. Reich was the first starting quarterback in Panthers history in 1995.

November 27, 2023: Frank Reich Fired as Head Coach

On November 27, 2023, Frank Reich was fired as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers after a 1-10 start to the season. Chris Tabor coached the rest of the 2023 season, going 1-5 as the Panthers finished with a league-worst 2-15 record.

2023: Panthers lead all-time series against Buccaneers

As of 2023, the Carolina Panthers lead the all-time series against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-22.

2023: Forbes Valuation

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

2023: Expected Completion of "The Rock" Facility

January 25, 2024: Dave Canales Hired as Head Coach

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

2024: Panthers Traded Away A First Round Pick

In 2023, prior to the NFL draft, the Panthers traded with the Chicago Bears to move up to the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. The trade involved Carolina giving up their 2023 second-round pick, their 2024 first-round pick, their 2025 second-round pick, and wide receiver D.J. Moore.