The Carolina Panthers were awarded an NFL franchise on October 26, 1993, making them the 29th team in the league.1)
The Panthers played their inaugural season in 1995.2)
In just their second season (1996), the Panthers made the playoffs and advanced to the NFC Championship Game.3)
They compete in the NFC South, alongside the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.4)
Hedge fund manager David Tepper bought the Panthers in 2018 for a then-record $2.275 billion.5)
Their home field is Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, which they’ve called home since it opened in 1996.6)
Bank of America Stadium was built without public funding, unique for an NFL stadium at the time.7)
Fans start chanting “Keep Pounding” before each game, a phrase that has become synonymous with the team.8)
This motto comes from former player and coach Sam Mills' 2003 motivational speech. Mills was battling cancer but urged his teammates to “keep pounding.“9)
Sam Mills’ No. 51 jersey is retired, and a statue of him stands outside Bank of America Stadium.10)
The Panthers have been to the Super Bowl twice, in 2003 (Super Bowl XXXVIII) and 2015 (Super Bowl 50).11)
Both Super Bowl appearances ended in losses. They lost to the New England Patriots in 2003 and to the Denver Broncos in 2015.12)
. In 2015, the Panthers had their best regular-season record, finishing 15-1.13)
One of the most beloved Panthers players, Smith was a fiery wide receiver known for his competitive spirit and incredible plays.14)
Kuechly, the Panthers' star linebacker, was known for his outstanding football IQ and was a seven-time Pro Bowler before his retirement in 2020.15)
Cam Newton, their franchise quarterback for years, was known for his Superman-inspired touchdown celebration.16)
The Panthers' first-ever regular-season game was on September 3, 1995, a 23-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.17)
The Panthers earned their first win in Week 5 of 1995, beating the New York Jets 26-15.18)
The Panthers’ team colors are black, silver, and “Panther blue,” which symbolizes the sky over the Carolinas.19)
The team's logo is a panther head in the shape of North and South Carolina combined.20)
The Panthers have made the playoffs eight times as of 2023.21)
The Panthers’ 2003 team set a franchise record for points allowed per game, helping them reach the Super Bowl that year.22)
Tight end Greg Olsen became the first tight end in NFL history to record three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2014 to 2016.23)
The Panthers' mascot is “Sir Purr,” a friendly black panther who entertains fans at home games.24)
The Panthers have fierce rivalries with all NFC South teams, especially the Falcons and the Saints.25)
The Panthers and NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes both rep the Carolinas but have never played in the same city.26)
Six larger-than-life panther statues guard the entrances to Bank of America Stadium, each weighing about 2,000 pounds.27)
Sam Mills was the Panthers' first player to make the Pro Bowl in 1996.28)
In 2013, the Panthers came back from a 14-point deficit against the Saints to win the game, securing their playoff berth.29)
Quarterback Jake Delhomme led the Panthers to their first Super Bowl appearance in 2003.30)
In 1995, the Panthers set a record by selling 41,632 season tickets in less than a month.31)
The Panthers market themselves as the team for both North and South Carolina.32)
Mick Mixon was the longtime voice of the Panthers until 2021, known for his colorful commentary.33)
In 2015, Cam Newton became the first Panthers player to win the NFL MVP Award.34)
In 2019, Christian McCaffrey became only the third NFL player to tally 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season.35)
The Panthers' largest comeback was 17 points down against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018.36)
Bojangles’ was a major partner for the Panthers for years, with a big presence at Bank of America Stadium.37)
After every Panthers’ home victory, the stadium lights up with Carolina blue fireworks.38)
The Panthers played their first international game in 2019, a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in London.39)
Steve Smith was known for his legendary trash talk, even calling himself “Ice Up, Son.”40)
The Panthers scored a franchise-record 52 points against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2002.41)
At one point, there were over 60,000 fans on the waitlist for season tickets.42)
The Panthers’ first-ever draft pick was quarterback Kerry Collins in 1995.43)
Panthers historically draft a lot of players from nearby Clemson University and the University of North Carolina.44)
Kicker John Kasay holds the record as the Panthers' all-time leading scorer, with over 1,482 points.45)