It may have taken 20 years, but the Panthers are finally Charlotte's team

[Jangler]

Could have been shittyer..., so there's that.

 

Oh and get off my lawn and piss on a steeler fans lawn.

[csx]

Early in the teams history Charlotte was not quite the relocation destination it has become. The relocated fan factor wasnt that much of a thing on the 90s from what I remember. That came about more so after 2000. While not as "mature" the early fanbase was pretty solid. I dont remember the opposing fan issue being an issue early. Is my memory correct?

[KittyLover]

I think the organization is finally getting up to speed with what fans want. How many times has fan fest been held on a Friday night with fireworks?  Where has this been?  The upgrades to the stadium screens were long over due as well. Add in a charismatic and talented QB and you have a great product.   Now if they could just find a way to keep people from sitting down for 95% of the game....

[1st down]

Moved down here in 1995 from PA for my first job.  I took to the Panthers right away because they were just getting started as was I.  That was the year I renounced my Eagles fandom in order to be a full-time Panthers fan.

[Sam Mills Fan]

I'm implying that referring to him as "kid with cancer" is a shitty way to describe someone. And it is. 

At the time of the post I knew 2 things about the kid besides his race and gender: it was a kid and he had cancer. 

How should I have described him?

[RoaringRiot]

At the time of the post I knew 2 things about the kid besides his race and gender: it was a kid and he had cancer. 

How should I have described him?

I would have gone with - the honorary Fan Fest Coach, or the kid on the field coaching, or the kid dancing on the field, or the kid shadowing Coach Rivera during Fan Fest. Or I would have used Google to see who he was. 

Don't get me wrong....I know I'm being over-sensitive here. But he's a 6 year old kid, a friend of mine, and there's so much more to him than just a kid with cancer or a kid fighting cancer.....so yeah, I take it personally when someone labels him like that. 

[Sam Mills Fan]

.I know I'm being over-sensitive here

Glad we see eye-to-eye. :)

 

Again, Braylon is one of the last people on the planet I wanted to show any disrespect to. Sorry if that's what you thought was happening.

[cbarrier90]

I think that fan base has always been there, it's just that they finally had an opportunity to show up.

Because the event was free, there were probably many longtime fans who for one reason or another had never been to BOA or seen a Panthers game in person  (PSL's, expenses, location, etc.) Yeah, getting seats in the stadium and parking uptown took awhile because of the larger-than-expected crowd, but I hope the event always remains free to give every fan the opportunity to see their team in person.

[RoaringRiot]

Glad we see eye-to-eye. :)

 

Again, Braylon is one of the last people on the planet I wanted to show any disrespect to. Sorry if that's what you thought was happening.

All good. I may or may not have been hungover this morning when I first read it. Regardless....I gotta get he's back. 

[magnus]

doesn't hurt that Pittsburgh, Washington teams are on the downswing.   Hopefully you're right, and it's not convenience. 

 

[ickmule]

Loved seeing the stadium so full for what was really just a practice. There is an energy now that's been lacking for years. It appears fans believe now. Good things are on the horizon for this team, you can feel it. 

[bigskypanthersguy]

I really wish I could've seen this....

[Kakarot]

Glad to see all the Panther support in my home state. I see so many Panther jerseys and nalia when I'm back in Winston or Greensboro. I remember growing up you used to get clowned for liking the panthers. It's been a long time coming, but hopefully we see consistent support and success. 

Really wish I could've been at fan fest. I won't miss another one, though.

[heelsrule1988]

Charlotte is definitely full of support for this team... it blows my mind every time I go and see just how much of a Panthers town it is. And the reason why it's such a mind-blower for me is that unfortunately, I'm not used to it... that kind of support is not evident in other parts of the state. Here in Raleigh, I'm in the minority. All the bandwagon fanbases take over here. It would be amazing if the support in Charlotte could carry over to the rest of the state (and SC too of course). Honestly, though... with RoaringRiot doing the fantastic thing he's doing, it just might happen someday.