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Living in the Carolina's doesn't automatically make you an instant Carolina Panther fan. There are many football fans that choose to root for other teams despite having the best team right here in town. There's only one team for me... and that's the Carolina Panthers.
Many fans love the players because of their skills on the field but what I'm most impressed with isn't their skill but it's the CHARACTER of our players. For example....
Today I decided to take my 4-year-old son to the Panther's training camp to join me on the field as I grabbed some pictures and audio. The players practice for hours in extremely hot temperatures wearing heavy football gear. I can only imagine once practice is over, how they probably just want to sit in a nice cool air conditioned room and relax, after all they are like us.
Don't you run to your car as quickly as you can once your work day is over? I know I do! Not these guys. Today as they began walking off the field they stopped and took time to interview with my son Bear... they got down on his level... talked to him like he was the only person around. Yes, my momma heart exploded.
My son's a talker and they listened to every word he said. They TOOK TIME with him. They signed his hat. They shook his hand and made each conversation personal. THIS is the character of the Carolina Panthers. They not only care about the sport they play but they care about the fans that watch them. They care about what a 4-year old boy has to say and they don't mind answering his "4-year-old"style interview questions.
I've been a Panther fan from day one but I'm even a bigger fan after today's experience with these guys!! You often see negative news stories when a professional athlete makes a bad decision but you rarely see a positive news story... these guys weren't doing interviews with my son for publicity... I literally stopped them as they were walking off the field. These guys stopped and took time with my son because this is their heart. And THIS is why I'm a Carolina Panther fan for life!
Special Thank you to: Luke Kuechly, Chris Manhertz, Michael Palardy, Steven Drummond and Ryan Anderson