Richardson still holds key to Panthers' heart

[Rod Butsecks]

(By Tom Sorensen, [email protected]) p/ Mike Rucker, the former Carolina Panthers defensive end, picks Jerry Richardson up at his Charlotte home Monday morning and takes him down I-85 to training camp./pp/But when their golf cart, the fast little gray one with the Panthers decals, drives down the hill at Wofford College and pulls onto the practice field, it is Richardson who is driving. /pp/As a concession to fatigue, Richardson will give up certain pleasures. The key to the cart, which in neatly printed letters bears his name, is not one of them./pp/The Panthers owner had a heart transplant Feb.1, Super Bowl Sunday, at Carolinas Medical Center. Although he made an appearance at the team's Organized Team Activity practice sessions in Charlotte this summer, he did not address the players./pp/At 9:15 a.m. Monday, however, Richardson wheels the golf cart into the middle of the practice field. All drills cease and players immediately form a semi-circle around him. They had been waiting./pp/The semi-circle stretches 15 yards, from the 20-yard line to the 35. Defensive end Julius Peppers, who after last season announced he wanted to play for a team other than the Panthers, lingers on the periphery. Richardson signals him to come closer and Peppers complies./pp/Richardson speaks for about 10 minutes./pp/ldquo;He was just his usual funny self,rdquo; linebacker Jon Beason says. ldquo;To see him out there supporting us truly is the example of a great leader.rdquo;/pp/Neither players nor coaches would repeat Richardson's message./pp/ldquo;Whatever he's saying is important,rdquo; says fullback Brad Hoover. ldquo;He's an inspiration.rdquo;/pp/The team appears thrilled to see him./pp/ldquo;He's very close to a lot of players, extremely close,rdquo; says quarterback Jake Delhomme. /pp/The Panthers appear to hold two practices Monday: The one before Richardson arrives and the one after. They might love the owner, but they still want to impress him./pp/Dad's here./pp/As Richardson and Rucker watch, coaches yell louder, injured players appear to look for a helmet and pads, and hard hits become so much harder, then the first scuffle of camp occurs. /pp/Linebacker Jeremy Leman (240 pounds) hits running back Decori Birmingham (210) and continues to tackle him. Birmingham responds with a hard shove and briefly they square off./pp//pp/Richardson, who turned 73 last month, moves the cart around the fields. Because defensive linemen gather here, offensive linemen there and receivers over there, he attempts to visit every group./pp/Wherever he stops, players, coaches and team officials approach individually or in small groups. The conversations invariably include laughter and often conclude with a gentle pat on Richardson's shoulder or back./pp/ldquo;On any other team when the owner comes hellip; players turn the other way or try to hide,rdquo; says Delhomme. ldquo;But guys (here) flock to him and go to him. To me, that says it all right there.rdquo;/pp/Richardson sees me standing near a group of fans and drives over to say hello. When he talks, Rucker ndash; once an enormously popular player who will provide color commentary on the team's preseason telecasts ndash; listens respectfully./pp/Although Richardson's white hair is shorter than it has been, every blade is in place. If Carolina's formations ever become as crisp and as neat as the owner's hair, the Panthers return to the playoffs./pp/Despite the stifling heat, Richardson wears a long-sleeved white shirt and dark dress pants. His body fat is so minimal he seems not to notice. He doesn't even sweat. /pp/ldquo;I've lost 45 pounds,rdquo; he says. ldquo;I weigh 210 now.rdquo;/pp/Richardson eats a lot of protein ndash; the stuff from jars that can be sprinkled into almost anything and usually is. /pp/He will attend home games this season. But he admits he tires easily and acknowledges what once would have been unthinkable. A lack of energy could keep him from accompanying his team on the road./pp/It has been six months since the transplant. To have the heart of another inserted into your body is not a surgery from which any then-72-year-old quickly recovers. /pp/Monday, however, is not a morning to think about what he might miss. It's a morning to celebrate what he has./pp/ldquo;It's pretty neat,rdquo; Richardson says about the opportunity to watch his Panthers. ldquo;I haven't been around much.rdquo;/pp/He spent several weeks this summer at his Atlantic Ocean beach house and called me from there in June./pp/He talked about his diet, and on this day he was not pleased. He had hoped to eat fresh sliced tomatoes for lunch. But he had to have another in a series of protein shakes instead./pp/His grandchildren told him how lucky he was to drink milkshakes at every meal./pp/ldquo;I don't want milkshakes,rdquo; Richardson growled into the telephone. ldquo;I want a steak.rdquo;/p

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[PanthersAlv]

Ok, I really liked that article.

[Fireball77]

Yeah good stuff. He stays out of the spotlight so it's hard to kind of get to anything about him.

[mountainpantherfan]

I can't believe I am saying this but after reading that story I have to agree with Delhomme. If Big Cat could not have made it to the Super Bowl last year than I'm glad we didn't make it or win. I want the Panthers to win the championship as much as anyone else but if Big Cat was not there to witness it I don't think it would be right. I couldn't enjoy it.

[pnthrs]

"Defensive end Julius Peppers, who after last season announced he wanted to play for a team other than the Panthers, lingers on the periphery. Richardson signals him to come closer and Peppers complies."

nice attitude Pep!

[5158Poundin]

Big Cat has the greatest of hearts and he extends his friendship and loyalty with such class.

Peppers knows that Mr. Richardson is a class act and naturally respects him. It's good to see that Big Cat is showing by example that he will be there for each and every one of them and it's not conditional.

We are so lucky to have such a great owner. I hope that he can feel healthy and strong enough to make some of the away games. I also hope the Panthers find a way to get to the big dance for Big Cat soon.

[Kettle]

give the man a steak every now and then!!

[mantal]

Ok, I really liked that article.

I think that's probably the best article I've ever read in the Observer.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Pantherlore

This is the "other piece" of how you build a franchise. I don't see too many guys in the locker room not wanting to win for the big cat. Gotta be proud to be a panther fan.

Nice Read

[homeblown]

awesome article, they've always prided themselves on class, and it shows from the top all the way down the line