Panthers Kicker Graham Gano Doesn't Let Marching Band Stop Him from Warming Up

Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano just wanted to warm up before the second half of Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Unfortunately for him, the Bethune-Cookman marching band was still on the field performing its halftime show.

That didn't prove to be much of a problem for Gano.

Update: Sept. 8 at 4:43 p.m. ET

For those of you who were upset with how Gano shoved a trombone player, this story has a happy ending.

Bethune-Cookman band director Donovan Wells was very understanding of Gano and even apologized to the Buccaneers, via the Tampa Bay Times' Greg Auman:

"

I have no ill feelings toward the kicker. I don't think he did anything malicious. Just a bad situation, everybody trying to do their best in a bad situation. … I understand. The game may come down to him and the only time he can get practice in is the end of halftime, so he's getting his kicks in.

I just sent a letter to the Buccaneers, wanted to apologize. I take full responsibility. Regardless of the weather and everything, they still didn't have the halftime we agreed upon. They were great about it. First-class organization. They were so understanding and happy we were able to do something.

"

The band arrived to the stadium late due to bad weather and traffic. However, it was allowed to perform an abbreviated halftime show. That explains why the band was still on the field when the kicker was trying to warm up.

[Graham Gano, h/t CBS Sports]

--End of Update--

Update: Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. ET

Gano—and Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams—talked about the situation after the game.

[Black and Blue Review]

--End of Update--

The kicker went in the middle of the band and got his kicks in. The pictures from the unusual scene are awesome.

Bleacher Report

Bleacher Report

Gano may have been able to handle the situation a bit differently, but there is no denying that seeing a kicker warming up in the middle of the band creates a wild image.

Who had the right to the field, Gano or the band?