How They Got Their Name: Carolina Panthers

1000logos.net

It was a big deal when the city of Charlotte was awarded a new NBA franchise with the Hornets in the late 1980s.  Inspired by that, Jerry Richardson put in a bid to become one of two new expansion franchises in the NFL.  In 1993, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina was awarded a franchise.  When it came time to choose the name for the team, discussions never left the Richardson family.  Instead of a fan poll, the name “Panthers” was chosen by team president Mark Richardson, son of owner Jerry Richardson.  “It’s a name our family thought signifies what we thought a team should be—powerful, sleek, and strong,” said Mark.  He is also the one responsible for choosing the black and blue color scheme.

The new name didn’t come without scrutiny, though.  The NFL worried that a Panthers nickname, along with a black color scheme, would appeal to street gangs and could potentially reflect poorly on the NFL.  They even sent a letter to the Richardsons in 1993 telling them such, as well as suggesting the team go with “Rhinos” instead.  “The rhino is a large, powerful creature, fierce when provoked, with a skin that is almost a natural version of football pads,” the letter stated.  The Richardsons never considered any other name, however, and in the end it was the Carolina Panthers, a team to represent both North and South Carolina.

Garett