Life of a Panther Fan: Not Always "Sweet Carolina"

It's easy to love the Steelers, the Cowboys, the Patriots, or even the Giants.  These teams come from major markets and no matter what NFL city you're in, you'll find one, if not many of these "fans."

We've all seen these types of fans, where if one were to ask if they'd been to Texas to see "America's Team" play, the answer is generally "no" or "not yet". 

So...how are you a fan again?

Well, I love the Carolina Panthers, yes. I have been to the BOA more than a few times, sometimes in joy, others in shambles (we won't talk about Arizona).  But through it all, I have been there. 

I remember the very first game of their existence (how many NFL fans can claim that?) in the preseason when they played the other expansion team in 1995, the Jacksonville Jaguars.  I was 9 years old, on Lake Norman with some of my dad's friends huddled around a small portable TV, just trying to get a glimpse of "our" team. 

Finally, football had come to Charlotte.   

We finished that inaugural season 7-9. It hurts me to say that Charlotte, NC has been known through the years to have a very "wine and cheese" type of football crowd. 

It hurts because it is true. 

I've been to the BOA when we were great (the 12-4's, conference championships), good (the countless seasons of mediocrity at 7-9 or 8-8), and terrible...remember our 1-15 season back in 2001?  Sure you don't, the Lions are now 0-16 (Fhank God!).  Let them have the record. 

Here's a stat. Since the inception of the Super Bowl in 1967, there are only seven teams that have made the Super Bowl within their first 10 years of existence. The Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, NY Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and the CAROLINA PANTHERS! 

I have traveled to see them play, to the BOA (it's about six hours or so from where I am), to Lambeau Field (17 hours by car to Wisconsin, not a fun trip).

I have came to tears on some of the many Delhomme interceptions that lose us two to four games per year, and if we lose on Sunday, I am physically spent, so count me out of anything fun Sunday night—I am no longer watching football that day, and my week is LITERALLY ruined.

The point is, I am no bandwagon fan like my Charlotte counterparts. When the Panthers are good, people go and watch them play; when they are bad, it is quite easy to get tickets on game day.

There is no waiting list for season tickets like in Green Bay, trust me. 

It is unfortunate, too, because we really don't get the credit we deserve.  Anytime I hear or see the Panthers being talked about on TV, I immediately have to stop everything I'm doing and tune in, because we are not like the "Cowgirls" or the "Patri-cheats," we don't get updates on our team every 30 minutes on the hour.

That is what is so crazy, because we are how football teams should be run!  We build through the draft, we only sign/draft character guys (Rae Carruth doesn't count, he was barely on the team), we play with heart, and we don't let the circus that is the media ruin our team. 

The only character problem we have in recent memory is Steve Smith breaking Ken Lucas' nose.  The amazing thing about this mishaps is...it actually brought the team closer together! 

If that happens to any other team in the league, those two must be separated and the locker room would be divided. However, somehow, the Panthers were able to burst through that adversity and come together for a remarkable season. 

One of their best, if we are speaking strictly of regular season finishes.   

But I love the Panthers either way, even though I am not a Delhomme fan by any means. I have always said we are one good quarterback away from our destiny!  And the play calling is sub-par at best, which makes for an interesting Sunday if you ever grab the bar stool next to me because I am quite verbal when Fox or Delhomme messes up.

I mean, yeah, I die a little inside every time Delhomme drops back to pass. I don't remember the last time I took a breath between downs when the play is up to him, and Fox with those God awful play calls of running the draw EVERY TIME when the situation is "3rd and no chance of picking these yards up even if we do catch the defense sleeping."

My point is that we are always so close. This year will be no different.  I just hope no one picks us to win, because we do so much better under the radar. This team has potential and it is exciting when the season is about to start and there are so many expectations for your squad.

So this is why I love my Carolina Panthers! Yes, it is true in 20 years I may need my heart medication a little early because of 16-plus grueling weeks a year of the "cardiac cats" (because heaven forbid they blow someone out!), but would I change that?

Not for all the money in Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft's wallets put together!!! 

Keep it, I got my team.