It ultimately took eight years from Richardson beginning the effort to the Panthers actually beginning play. He was a loyal member of the league, and painted "The Shield" logo at the 50-yard-line of his home field throughout his tenure as owner. He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful. . (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images). Richardson kept a game ball from the championship game and a pair of Unitas cleats in the basement of his Charlotte home. The team called the statue a public safety hazard at the time, citing the nightly social justice marches then occurring in Charlotte. He was 86. Richardson would set several Wofford receiving records on his way to a career that led the school to retire his football number. An explanation of winter vs nesting robins locally, winter aconite in snow, hiking the Appalachian Trail, and ice shacks being down on Lake Winnebago are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. That never deterred me. One of our dear friends said, God does not give out hearts lightly, Rosalind Richardson told The Observer two weeks after the surgery. From a personal perspective, he was a wise and caring advisor to me, his fellow owners, and many Panthers players and coaches over the years.". Within hours of the Sports Illustrated report, Richardson announced that he would sell the Panthers. It was a miracle. On Thursday afternoon, the Carolina Panthers announced the passing of team founder and former owner Jerry Richardson. Please keep the Richardson family in your prayers today! The statue had become controversial following the workplace misconduct scandal that served to oust Richardson from his ownership of the Panthers and complicate his legacy. Also Read: Who was Jerry Richardson? CHARLOTTE, N.C Jerry Richardson, the Carolina Panthers founder and for years one of the NFL's most influential owners until a scandal forced him to sell the team . The scholarship was meant to honor his wife and her commitment to the arts. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Rosalind Sallenger Richardson; the wife of former player and current team owner, Jerome Johnson Richardson, simply known as Jerry Richardson; he is the owner of the Carolina Panthers. He was my boss. Rest up my friend!''. Quarterback Jake Delhomme, who led the Panthers to their first Super Bowl in the 2003 season, said Richardson was well respected in the locker room and great to me and every player who played for him.. He was 86. The report alleged that Richardson had committed numerous instances of workplace misconduct, including sexual harassment, uttering a racial slur and asking some of his female employees if he could personally shave their legs., The report, which was substantiated by the NFLs ensuing probe, revealed that at least four former Panthers employees had received significant financial settlements from Richardson following his inappropriate behavior in exchange for what amounted to a vow of silence. It also noted that Fridays were Jeans Day at the Panthers offices, and that became fodder for many inappropriate comments by Richardson. Richardson built a food empire from scratch, starting the Hardees hamburger chain with $4,864 in 1961 with playoff bonus money he earned for playing on the Baltimore Colts 1959 NFL championship team. Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. . Catch up on the developing stories making headlines. The following day Richardson would tell a pep rally of thousands of fans in Charlotte that the Panthers would not only get to but win a Super Bowl within their first 10 years an unfulfilled promise that he was often reminded of in later years. Richardson died peacefully Wednesday night at his Charlotte home, the team said in a statement. It was a stormy night, she said then. When I went through my injuries and everyone told him it was time to move on and turn the page he said no. "I was able to become the player that I became because of him, because he encouraged and motivated me to Keep Pounding. Following his heart transplant, Richardson remained active in league business. The Carolina Panthers founder and former owner died on March 1, 2023. The sale of the Panthers for a reported $2.275 billion followed the scandal that was uncovered by Sports Illustrated magazine in December 2017. There, he began creating the emphasis on customer service that would carry over into his stewardship of his football team. The Panthers' 2017 Tree Lighting at Bank of America Stadium. All the other competitors at the time St. Louis, Baltimore, Jacksonville and Memphis had in place a rent-free stadium to be paid for by public funds. When Richardson heard the news in Chicago on Oct. 26, 1993, that his bid had been accepted to own the NFLs 29th franchise, he pointed to television cameras from the Carolinas at a press conference and yelled: Thank you, thank you, thank you!. Panthers founder, former owner Jerry Richardson dies at 86 The lack of consistency irritated Richardson, as Carolina failed to put together back-to-back winning seasons during his 23 seasons as owner despite hiring four coaches: Dom Capers, George Seifert, John Fox and Ron Rivera. Richardson was born in his familys home in Spring Hope, in the eastern part of North Carolina, on July 18, 1936. A public celebration of his life will be held at a later date. That concept contributed more than $100 million to the stadiums eventual cost of around $187 million. That kind of attention to detail was not unlike his days as owner of the Panthers, in which he'd approve particulars of landscaping plans (native plants from each state on the north and south sides of the stadium to represent the two Carolinas) and the paint job on the field. The Panthers decided to charge for the right to buy season tickets in their proposed new stadium a radical idea that later helped build many other stadiums around the country. pic.twitter.com/9Cjn0PSYW2. Jerry Richardson Wife, Age, Wiki, Biography, Cause Of Death, Parents Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson is a former NFL player who turned a $4744 championship bonus into a billion dollar fast food fortune. Richardson packed up, left the Colts training camp and pointed his Oldsmobile station wagon toward the Carolinas. It was also reported he used a racial slur directed toward a team scout. A 1987 Observer story noted that Richardsons Spartan Food Systems restaurant colossus at that point included 2,000 Hardees, Quincys and Dennys restaurants. Id call it sticking to your convictions.. A native son who was shaped by the region, his . It was also reported he used a racial slur directed toward a team scout. Richardson never addressed the allegations against him publicly. The team said that "moving the statue is in the interest of public safety." $2 Billion. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. He has authored or co-authored eight books, including four about the Carolina Panthers. Lawmakers and others should not seek to undo laws meant to protect people from gun violence. Jerry Richardson, the founder of the American football team Carolina Panthers, has died at the age of 86 He is survived by his wife Rosalind Sallenger Richardson and three children - Ashley, Jon, and Mark Nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild are also included in his family Written By: Alfeeya Mohsin Pathan Richardson had a pacemaker/defibrillator inserted in his heart in 2008, and doctors told him he would need a heart transplant. But Richardsons reputation took a tremendous hit when he announced he was selling the Panthers on Dec. 17, 2017 the same day Sports Illustrated reported that four former Panthers employees received significant monetary settlements due to inappropriate sexually suggestive language and actions by Richardson. But as he stepped back from some of his day-to-day work with the team, his influence within the NFL remained large. He ultimately became a millionaire and used that money to purchase the Panthers for $206 million. Panthers founder Jerry Richardson dies at 86, Jones: Not fixated on Cowboys' drought, just '23, Sources: Raiders plan franchise tag for Jacobs, WR Addison to Steelers' Pickett: 'Come get me', Wolverines' Turner wows with 4.26 40 at combine, Top QB prospect Levis eager to unleash 'cannon', QB Bennett addresses off-field issues at combine, Campbell: Lamar wants deal done with Ravens, Alabama QB Young undeterred by size questions, The future of the NFL combine: Is there really a chance it could end forever? Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; Carolina Panthers founder Jerry Richardson died Wednesday night at his home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Richardson was forced to sell the team to Tepper for a then NFL-record $2.275 billion after the 2017 season amid allegations of sexual and racial misconduct in the workplace. Richardsons legacy also includes the birth of the Panthers and the development of a restaurant empire that made him a rich enough man to join one of Americas most exclusive clubs the leagues 32 NFL owners. He still holds the school's single-game record for receiving yards (241 against Newberry in 1956), as well as records for touchdown receptions in a season (9) and career (21). He sold the team to Tepper, a hedge fund owner, in May 2018 for a then-NFL record $2.27 billion. Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? Richardson then accompanied the Olsens to Boston for a medical consultation. After the Baltimore Colts drafted Richardson in the 13th round, he showed up for training camp in 1959 as one of 19 receivers fighting for three spots on the 36-man roster. He served on some of the league's most prestigious committees and had become one of the more powerful owners. The magazines investigation portrayed Richardson as an owner who acted inappropriately with a number of his female employees and also directed a racial slur at an African-American scout employed by the Panthers. By then, the Panthers were playing their ninth NFL season. He died at his home in Charlotte on Wednesday night, the team said in a statement Thursday. He fired a number of Richardson-era employees after his purchase and also quickly changed the 50-yard line symbol to the Panthers logo. Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. During the year in which Richardson waited for and later recovered from his heart transplants, his two sons led the organization. The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation supported the first-of-its-kind in Mecklenburg County project, which offers urgent care for behavioral health needs. People had said it was 150-to-1, 200-to-1. He played football at Fayetteville High 6-3, 150-pound receiver known as Stick for his slender frame who won the teams Competitor Trophy. "With the arrival of the Panthers in 1995, he changed the landscape of sports in the region and gave the NFL fans here a team to call their own. Within hours of the report, Richardson announced his decision to sell the team. Richardson was rarely one to back down from a challenge, but there were some challenges he couldn't overcome by sheer force of will and determination. Jerry Richardson and wife Rosalind Sallenger Richardson established a $500,000 fully endowed scholarship to Winthrop. Richardson, a North. You'll now receive the top Panthers Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. A bypass surgery in 2002 was just the beginning, and after years of treatments and other procedures, he received a heart transplant on Feb. 2, 2009, at Carolinas Medical Center. On the NFL's behalf, I extend our sincere condolences to Jerry's wife, Rosalind, and their family. Panthers founder, former owner, Baltimore Colts player Jerry Richardson Richardson had hired and fired two coaches Dom Capers, who got Carolina to the NFC championship game in Year 2 but could not repeat the success; and George Seifert, who went 16-32 in three desultory seasons in Carolina. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reacts to death of Panthers founder Jerry Info. The Carolina Panthers defeated the New York Giants 23 to 0. He was later released. It was truly a special experience to play a part in the culmination of his efforts to bring football to the Carolinas. A former teammate of Johnny Unitas who caught a touchdown pass in the Baltimore Colts victory over the New York Giants in the 1959 NFL championship game, Richardson only spent two years in the NFL before venturing into the restaurant business. A 13-foot, 4500-pound statue of Richardson, given to him by his ownership partners in 2016 and placed outside Bank of America Stadium, was removed in June 2020 by the Panthers. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott's cap hit might be rising in 2023, but owner Jerry Jones believes his quarterback has the ability to bridge the gap in any talent the roster might lose because of it. He used his championship bonus money to open the first Hardee's in Spartanburg, South Carolina close to where he had attended Wofford College. Former Panthers owner Jerry Richardson dead at 86 While fans saw a stoic Richardson sitting expressionless in his end-zone suite at Bank of America Stadium on Sundays, he was not afraid to cut up with his players. His survivors include his wife Rosalind and two of their three children Mark and Ashley. Being a part of the inaugural season is something that I will never forget. Jerry Richardson Age, Net worth: Kids, Weight, Bio-Wiki, Wife 2023 The plan to finance the stadium largely with his own money was the part that carried the biggest risk, but Richardson told The Observer in 1987 that would be part of the fun. Jerome "Jerry" Richardson, the founding owner of the Carolina Panthers franchise, passed away on Wednesday night at his Charlotte home at the age of 86. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Richardson became the first former NFL player to own a team since Chicagos George Halas when he landed the expansion Panthers in 1993. Im 58 years old, and I dont hunt, I dont fish, and I dont play golf. "He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful. Mark Richardson was the team president and the heir apparent to his father, while the more laid-back Jon Richardson oversaw the stadium during its construction and operation. As the team's owner, Jerry Richardson, made his rounds on the way to his spacious office, he would ask women to turn around so he could admire their backsides. 1:08 Jerry Richardson, founder of the Carolina Panthers, has died. Jerry Richardson's age is 86 years old as of today's date 15th February 2023 having been born on 18 July 1936. He went on to make his fortune in the restaurant business, becoming chief executive officer of Flagstar, the sixth-largest food service company in the country at the time. Category: Richest Business. When Greene was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016, he mentioned Richardson and his deep love for his Panthers players in his speech. The team reached the Super Bowl in the 2003 and 2015 seasons, but lost both times. The Panthers were the first team to employ the concept, and the influx of cash was crucial to privately financing what was then known as Carolinas Stadium. Chad Reuter provides a stock report from Indianapolis. This story was originally published March 2, 2023, 3:51 PM. 5:26 PM on Mar 2, 2023 CST. They have three children. By then, Richardson had become a generally popular owner with his players and was doing the Panthers job full-time, having left the day-to-day restaurant business in 1995. He made the greatest gift in Wofford Colleges history in 2021 when he gave $150 million to the institution. I will always remember him, as will millions in his beloved Carolinas, as the father of NFL football in these sister states, said Max Muhleman, a public-relations specialist who worked closely with Richardson for years. Playing for the Browns that day was offensive tackle Mike McCormack, whom Richardson would later hire as the Panthers first president. The team also became embedded in the sports culture of the Carolinas, producing stars like Cam Newton, Steve Smith and Luke Kuechly and routinely selling out 73,000-seat Bank of America Stadium. Richardson said in 2018 his greatest mission in life was bringing the NFL to the Carolinas. Conservative by nature, Richardson once cautioned Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton against getting tattoos and piercings after drafting the quarterback No. It revealed that Richardsons assistant would escort female employees to Richardsons office and then leave. I've been told a lot of things.". He was 86. He enlisted sports marketing executive Max Muhleman, and they put in place the first permanent seat license concept, in which fans paid an up-front fee for access to season tickets. Jerry Richardson, the founder of the American football team Carolina Panthers, has died at the age of 86. Jerry Richardson, Panthers founder and former owner, dies at 86, Jaxon Smith-Njigba wants to re-create connection with Bears QB Justin Fields, NFL Scouting Combine shifts mock draft, but Bears needs unchanged, QBs in NFL Draft in haze as Bears play poker with No. Jerry Richardson dies at 86; former NFL player was first owner of Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! The concept was simple cheap hamburgers, served to the masses and wildly successful. The team went for a then NFL record $2.275 billion. "And he went above and beyond to bring comfort to a family at its toughest time.". Richardson beat long odds to earn the right to land a franchise. CHARLOTTE, N.C Jerry Richardson, the Carolina Panthers founder and for years one of the NFL's most influential owners until a scandal forced him to sell the team, has died. We are saddened to hear about the passing of former owner Jerry Richardson, the Panthers said via Twitter on Thursday afternoon. ", "I will always be thankful to Mr. Richardson for providing me with the opportunity to play for the Panthers. Date of Birth: Jul 11, 1936 (86 years old) Their football stadium already had a name, but the school's new basketball arena and athletic facility still bear his, as does the football stadium at UNC Charlotte. A PSL would cost anywhere from $600 to $5400 per ticket and could later be re-sold or handed down in the right-holders will. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Mr. Richardson claims that Wofford has had the biggest impact on his achievement in life, with no other influence coming close. A lot of times people get to some level and they dont like to take a risk, he said. Fitterer and head coach Frank Reich also touched on other needs the team has, and what the priorities are for the coming weeks during their interviews at the combine. His other. Deeply rooted in both Carolinas and once a wide receiver for the Baltimore Colts, Richardson persuaded the NFL to put an expansion team in Charlotte in 1993. Richardson was born in Spring Hope, North Carolina, in 1936. We wouldnt go into this if I didnt think we could do it, Richardson said at a Charlotte news conference on Dec. 15, 1987, when he officially announced his bid for an NFL expansion franchise. Rajeeta Kochhar? Ive always told him he came into the world with a streak of lightning.. But after his second season, he walked away from the NFL in a dispute over money, and returned to Spartanburg to start his business career. But Richardsons reputation took a tremendous hit when he announced he was selling the Panthers on Dec. 17, 2017, the same day Sports Illustrated reported that four former Panthers employees received significant monetary settlements due to inappropriate sexually suggestive language and actions by Richardson. Jerry Richardson family: Who are wife Rosalind Sallenger Richardson and That would be real boring.. With the arrival of the Panthers in 1995, he changed the landscape of sports in the region and gave NFL fans here a team to call their own. Funeral services will be private. We wish them much peace and comfort.. The NFL expansion process was painstaking. Former Panthers general manager Marty Hurney worked under Richardson from 2002-12 and then returned to the team in 2017 and worked four more years. A former teammate of Johnny Unitas who caught a touchdown pass in the Baltimore Colts victory over the New York Giants in the 1959 NFL championship game, Richardson only spent two years in the NFL before venturing into the restaurant business. He was a married man. . You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! Three months later, running back Fred Lane, who had just been traded to Indianapolis, was shot and killed by his wife in their Charlotte home. Richardson delivered an impassioned speech at the 2010 annual meetings, imploring owners to take back our league. But his hard-line tactics didnt sit well with all players, particularly after he was said to have spoken condescendingly toward Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Drew Brees during a negotiating session. He was 86. Richardson had heart problems at some point during his life. Jerry Richardson, Panthers founder and NFL power broker, dies at 86 It was also reported he used a racial slur directed toward a team scout. CHARLOTTE, N.C -- Jerry Richardson, the Carolina Panthers founder and for years one of the NFL's most influential owners until a scandal forced him to sell the team, has died. In 2000, wide receiver Rae Carruth, a former first-round draft pick, was convicted on a murder conspiracy charge in connection with the drive-by shooting death of his pregnant girlfriend. Head coach Frank Reich and general manager Scott Fitterer plan on speaking with the veteran quarterback again next week after Tuesday's meeting in Indianapolis. But Richardsons tenure was marred by off-field issues. Jon Richardson died of cancer in 2013. The lack of consistency was a source of irritation for Richardson, as Carolina failed to put together back-to-back winning seasons during his 23 seasons as owner despite hiring four coaches: Dom Capers, George Seifert, John Fox and Ron Rivera. With the news also came a statement from current owner David Tepper and wife Nicole, who thanked Richardson for what he had done for them and the organization. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL, 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Jerry Richardson: New details on allegations against Panthers owner Richardson served on several high-level owners committees, playing a key role in labor negotiations with the players' union. Richardson teamed with quarterback and future business partner Charlie Bradshaw to become one of the top passing tandems among small colleges. Jaguars won't spend big, but here are five players they could target in free agency. Two months after going on the donor waiting list, Richardson, then 72, received his transplant on Super Bowl Sunday in 2009 during a five-hour procedure at Carolinas Medical Center. Richardson didnt play much for Baltimore. With the arrival of the Panthers in 1995, he changed the landscape of sports in the region and gave the NFL fans here a team to call their own.". Can the Lions fix their defense? Richardson died peacefully Wednesday night at his Charlotte home, the team said in a statement. Richardsons tenure was marred by off-field issues. Here's everything we know, Everything you need to know about Geno Smith's contract negotiations, The most memorable pre-NFL draft workouts ever: Coaches, scouts, execs make their picks, 2023 NFL franchise tag tracker: Raiders tag Josh Jacobs, the NFL's rushing leader. Please check your email for a confirmation. Using his championship game bonus as seed money, he opened his first Hardee's restaurant in Spartanburg. Winthrop actually couldn't have welcomed someone better for their future, despite the fact that she probably appeared to be just another student at the moment. Richardson served on several high-level owners committees, playing a key role in labor negotiations with the players union. Carolina Panthers founder Jerry Richardson dies at 86 He was 86. But his work was hailed in league circles as a member of the league's stadium committee, and one of commissioner Roger Goodell's close circle of trusted voices. He never publicly explained the rift with his sons. Fox said from the NFL combine in Indianapolis. But his fourth-quarter, 12-yard TD catch from Unitas gave the Colts a 21-9 lead in a game they would win 31-16. They becamethe parents of three children. He also had a policy where fans weren't allowed to remove their shirts during games. Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson is "fired up" to work with Washington's new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. He was 86.. CHARLOTTE, N.C -- Jerry Richardson, the Carolina Panthers founder and for years one of the NFLs most influential owners until a scandal forced him to sell the team, has died. . It was a very stressful time.. They kept opening more and more Hardees, with Richardson before long a multi-millionaire taking a hands-on approach to the business many times. 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, Disputed loan at center of Commanders probe, amid allegations of sexual and racial workplace misconduct, More than 25 years experience covering NFL, college football and NASCAR. "As a former player himself, Jerry cared deeply about the welfare of players and the labor agreements he helped negotiate have led to improved pay and benefits for generations of players. The founder and former owner of the Panthers passed away on Wednesday night. He married Rosalind Sallenger Richardson. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! Still, Richardson often began his days at that point, at age 51, by showing up unannounced at one of the Hardees in Spartanburg, and either making biscuits, pouring coffee or taking orders at the drive-thru. The NFL would independently investigate and substantiate many of the allegations raised by the magazine article while also uncovering similar matters that have not been the subject of public discussion, according to a 2018 NFL press release. They played miniature golf in Myrtle Beach on their first date.