Panthers Are First Purple Heart Team

[fieryprophet]

http://www.panthers.com/community/article-2/Panthers-NFLs-first-Purple-Heart-team/e8dbbab8-e9da-436a-a11c-39b2a6544411

 

 As a longtime Panthers fan and long-ago recipient of the prestigious Purple Heart, Mike Stubbs is overwhelmed by the way the Panthers have reached out to military in the region.

"They just do an incredible job," Stubbs said. "They make sure the veterans are seen and respected."

Tuesday, Stubbs and four fellow Purple Heart veterans bestowed a humbling honor upon the Panthers, designating the organization as the first to be recognized as an NFL Purple Heart team.

"I attend a lot of the games, and I see what you do. It's amazing what you give," Stubbs said as he presented the Panthers with a Special Recognition Award from the Military Order of the Purple Heart. "We think it's time somebody gave something back to the Panthers."

The Panthers will present an official proclamation honoring the Military Order of the Purple Heart as a part of the NFL's annual "Salute to Service" program when the New England Patriots visit on Nov. 18.

But the relationship between the Panthers and the military isn't a once-a-year thing. The "Row of Honor" in the Bank of America Stadium stands is a part of every home game and always includes a Purple Heart recipient, and team personnel make multiple trips throughout the year to military bases in North and South Carolina.

"We have several military installations here, and a lot of retirees here are military," said head coach Ron Rivera, who grew up in a military family. "We have such a good relationship with the military."

[CatMan72]

Awesome! 

[thunderraiden]

This will be amazing in giving us more exposure as people will always and forever ask why we have purple hearts on our helmets and their team doesn't.

[MtnJax]

This will be amazing in giving us more exposure as people will always and forever ask why we have purple hearts on our helmets and their team doesn't.

 

Because we're fuging awesome! that's why

[cookinwithgas]

Telling the vets at BoA they can salute during the National Anthem is something I have not seen at the stadiums I've visited.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

@Panthers: The #Panthers will become the first NFL team to wear the Purple Heart insignia on their helmets when they play the #Patriots on Nov. 18.

[TheRumGone]

Badass

[jtnc]

We are truly a class organization. No matter who much you dislike JR, you have to give him credit.

[KendrickPanther]

Everytime I got to a Panthers game they are reaching out to the vets. It's a nice sign of respect.

[Jimmy]

Proud of our team. As a veteran I say, "Thank you, Panthers."  Very cool.

[cookinwithgas]

We've been fortunate enough to have some of these guys come tailgate with us, always so much fun

 

http://pantherfanz.smugmug.com/2009/Fslcons-vs-Panthers-Nov-15/10329866_kJM78D#!i=715426519&k=z54qHHN

 

http://pantherfanz.smugmug.com/2008/Panthers-vs-Lions-16-November/6545352_jpVTSf#!i=418547463&k=cHQdTpw

 

http://pantherfanz.smugmug.com/2011/Vikings-Panthers-30-October/19821847_Mgs9wS#!i=1558945719&k=gRRCn4W

[ctrcat]

Ditto The Dictator.

[wine-o and cheese-doodle]

You took one for America

 

All Panthers are proud of ya.

[5158Poundin]

That makes me really proud to be a Panther fan.   I am a military brat from a family who has a long history of serving and it makes me feel all warm inside!  Go Panthers!  Go USA!!!