Carolina Panthers Become 1st NFL Team to Practice with a High School Team

On Thursday, the Carolina Panthers became the first NFL team in league history to practice alongside a high school team, per Steve Reed of the Associated Press.

Riley Fields, Carolina's director of community relations, said the team was celebrating the NFL's Play 60 campaign.

The workout took place at Wofford College. The Panthers went through warm-ups with Spartanburg High School and then held their session on a field directly next to the Vikings.

"To me it's about the love of the game and bringing it back to the community," said head coach Ron Rivera, who initially opposed the idea but came around to support it.

Chuck Burton/Associated Press

According to Reed, the Panthers had to clear the project with the NFL, NCAA and high school officials before it could take place.

While certainly a learning experience, the practice also sounded fun for the high schoolers. Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis said he told one youngster to trash-talk reigning MVP Cam Newton.

"I was kind of feeding him stuff to say to Cam," Davis said. "He delivered it pretty well."

[Associated Press]