Carolina Panthers History 

One of the National Football League's youngest franchises, the Carolina Panthers have are among the league's most respected teams and have fans in the Carolinas stoked about the upcoming season.

It all started with one man's dream, Panthers owner/founder Jerry Richardson. On July 16, 1987 Richardson met a group of interested parties in Charlotte to discuss the chances of bringing a professional football franchise to the "Queen City." After generating interest among investors and with the word spreading throughout North and South Carolina, Richardson made his sales pitch to NFL executives and Charlotte was selected as one of the final five communities to achieve expansion for the 1995 season. With two teams eventually being chosen, St. Louis, Charlotte, Memphis, Jacksonville, and Baltimore all had unique advantages. However, on October 26, 1993 NFL league owners would unanimously vote for the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars to become the newest members of the National Football League. The Panthers played their first ever game September 3, 1995, losing 23-20 to the Atlanta Falcons in overtime. Two weeks later they lost 31-10 to the St. Louis Rams in their first ever home game, in front of 54,060 ticket-holders. In Carolina's nine seasons the franchise has had mixed results, reaching the playoffs two seasons and losing the 2003 Super Bowl 32-29 against the New England Patriots. Playing in Bank of America Stadium the Panthers remain one of the youngest NFL teams, but are garnering respect around the league for their tough play and feisty fans.

Because of its expansion background, the original Carolina Panthers inherited several older players from other teams, choosing to build around experience and free agency rather than the youth available in the annual drafts. With this philosophy came instant success, as the Panthers reached the NFC Championship game in 1996 before falling to the Green Bay Packers 30-13. Behind the stellar play of early stars like quarterback Kerry Collins, tight end Wesley Walls, linebackers Lamar Lathan and Sam Mills, and running back Anthony Johnson, the second-year Panthers stunned the NFL and proved that expansion teams can win right away. However, because of the path Carolina executives chose to create their roster, some of the players were already veterans and aged quickly. The team would falter following the 1996 season, failing to reach the playoffs the next six seasons and even posting the league's worst-record in 2001, a 1-15 mark. Once again things would change quickly in 2002 after the team hired former New York Giants assistant coach John Fox. Fox, a defensive guru who is also known as a player's coach, would instill discipline and toughness into the franchise. His first move was selecting North Carolina star Defensive End Julius Peppers with the #1 pick in the 2002 draft. Peppers would prove to be a wise selection, finishing with 12 sacks in 2002 and winning NFL Rookie of the Year honors. The Panthers missed the playoffs and finished the season 7-9, but it set the stage for a memorable year in 2003. Carolina posted an 11-5 mark in Fox's second season as head coach, winning the NFC's South Division title and advancing to the playoffs for the first time since 1996. Labeled the "Cardiac Cats" because of several thrilling come-from-behind victories, the Panthers reached the 2003 Super Bowl, losing 32-29 to the heavily-favored New England Patriots. With 2004 ticket sales skyrocketing, Carolina Panther fans anxiously await the upcoming season, hoping the team can prove 2003 was the beginning of a winning tradition in Charlotte.

Because Erickson Stadium was not completed in time for the inaugural 1995 season, the Panthers played their first season at Clemson's Memorial Stadium. Carolina would play their first game at the stadium on September 1, 1996, defeating the Atlanta Falcons 29-6 in front of 69,522 ticket-holders. Erickson was renamed to Bank of America Stadium in January of 2004, after the team and Bank of America agreed to a lucrative 20-year naming rights deal. Located outside of downtown Charlotte, North Carolina, Bank of America Stadium is very unique and one of the NFL's best stadiums. With a seating capacity of 73,258, Bank of America features massive arches and towers at the entries and team colors throughout the complex. Privately financed, the stadium also includes training facilities, practice fields, and is the headquarters of the Panthers organization. Bank of America Stadium provides Carolina and their fans with a facility nearly unmatched throughout professional football, making Panther tickets always a wise investment.

2004 brings high hopes and expectations to Charlotte, as the Carolina Panthers begin their quest to repeat as NFC Champions. Can quarterback Jake Delhomme prove that his stellar 2003 season was no fluke? Purchase your tickets today from GoTickets.com and watch the Panthers attempt to win another NFC South Division Title!