Who is/are responsible for the "Panther Culture"??

[bLACKpANTHER]

Just finished the McCoy presser and he mentioned the 'culture' here in Carolina.. I happen to agree with him a lot because I live up here in the DC area and fully understand how a bad locker room culture (although, very entertaining) can rip a team apart.. I know we have always had great players/coaches but was wondering - Who you attribute the Panther Culture to directly? How did we develop it?

Obviously, Sam Mills comes to mind.. but I also go down the list of guys like Moose, Ruck and Mint - all the way to guys like TD and Luke.. And there have been some dark moments too but a strong culture got us through it all..

 

Just wanted to throw this topic out there since it's the offseason.. Thoughts?

[ellis]

I always go back to Sam Mills. No man’s legacy has meant more to this franchise (and its culture) than 51. 

[BlazeCarolina]

I don't know if we can attribute it to one person, but it is why I love this team.  I am glad that torch is still lit and being carried for now.  Losing that identity was the main fear when I knew Tepper was coming.  So far, so good.  Absolutely love what has changed so far.

So glad this is being brought up.  My best friend and I have argued back and forth this point.  He says I place too much value on locker room chemistry, bit it does make an impact.

[ellis]

There has been a dynamic shift in organizational atmosphere with Tepper. Pretty sure it plays a substantial role in player recruitment. 

Worth noting: The @RoaringRiot has impressively worked to galvanize a core group of fans. It’s left an impression beyond fan engagement—people in the building have clearly taken notice. Hats off. 

If you enjoy good football, brought to you by good people both on and off the field, it’s a good time to be a Panthers fan. 

[Bronn]

FWIW, to me, both Sam Mills earlier on and Smitty later embodied and shaped what I consider "Panthers culture."

We're the small market, perpetually overlooked and underestimated team.

Mills was an undersized linebacker that was quietly great.

Smitty was an undersized WR that was loudly great and GOAT IDGAF.

Combine the two, and you've got the near 25 years of Panthers football.

It's a bit of an oxymoron, I know, but we truly split our time prowling in the shadows and roaring and pouncing. We're quietly loud.



 

[Tbe]

Cam, Luke, TD, Greg, etc are big factors. Also, Ron gets a ton of credit as well. Only bringing in good locker room guys, etc contributes a lot.

[imminent rogaine]

The bolsheviks

[MechaZain]

All credit to my man Ked Woodley

 

[LinvilleGorge]

Sam Mills had a huge impact for sure, but culture is always bigger than one person. It takes a group effort at all levels.

[GoPanthers123]

Cam is the key figure, as Cam goes so does the team.   He is such a professional and a competitor. 

[TheWiz]

As great as his legacy is, Sam Mills isn't known by most of the guys who play here or who are on staff. 

The culture is defined by leadership. If this were the Patriots, it would be easy to say that its Bill and Tom. 

For us... It's Ron and Cam. 

[pantherclaw]

John Fox.

[ellis]

Just now, pantherclaw said:

John Fox.

[imminent rogaine]

The answer is Richardson and Hurney. Richardson built the team and got hurney so things would be done his way. Strictly with the players, you couldn’t ask for much more in terms of great team culture than what JR brought to the table. His fingerprints are still all over the team and hurney is still the GM.