Carolina Panthers: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The Carolina Panthers are a National Football League team based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Founded: 1995

Home stadium: Bank of America Stadium (1996-)

Previous stadium: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina (1995)

Uniform colors: Black, Cerulean blue, Silver, and White

Helmet design: Silver helmet, a black snarling panther outlined in blue

Mascot: Sir Purr

League championships won: None.

Super Bowl appearances: XXXVIII (lost)

Franchise history

In 1995, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Carolina Panthers entered the NFL as the first expansion teams in almost 20 years.

In 1996, the second year of their existence, the Panthers found themselves in the NFC title game, playing the Green Bay Packers but losing.

During the next few years, the Panthers made nearly as much news off the field as on, much of it negative. In 1999, wide receiver Rae Carruth was convicted of murdering his pregnant girlfriend. The following year, running back Fred Lane was shot to death by his wife during a domestic dispute.

In 2003, two years removed from a 1-15 season, the team returned to the NFC championship, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles to earn a trip to Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Texas. The team fell in that game to the AFC champion New England Patriots, 32-29, following a field goal with :04 remaining by Patriot kicker Adam Vinatieri.

Players of note

Pro Football Hall of Famers:

Current stars:

• Stephen Davis
• Jake Delhomme
• Mark Fields
• DeShaun Foster
• Kris Jenkins
• Ricky Manning, Jr.
• Muhsin Muhammad
• Julius Peppers
• Mike Rucker
• Todd Sauerbrun
• Rod Smart (a.k.a., He Hate Me)
• Steve Smith

Retired numbers:

("Hall of Honor")

• Sam Mills

Not to be forgotten:

• Steve Beuerlein QB
• Blake Brockermeyer LT
• Kerry Collins QB
• Kevin Greene LB
• Tyrone Poole CB
• Wesley Walls TE
• Dom Capers (coach)
• George Seifert (coach)

Carolina Panthers official web site