NFL

Along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Carolina Panthers made their NFL debut in 1995 as one of the new NFL expansion teams of the decade. Eight years before the Panthers debuted North Carolina was one of the finalist to receive an NFL franchise. The support for the Panthers was overwhelming. There were rallies all over the state to show that the people over North Carolina was ready and would support on NFL franchise. One of the major factors for the Carolina community in receiving an NFL franchise was the privately owned and funded stadium by Richardson Sports. It was made official on October, 26, 1993 the Carolina were the 29^th NFL team.In their first season of play the Panthers set the NFL record for the most wins in their inaugural season posting a 7-9 record after a start of 0-5. The Panthers first win came in the 6^th game against the New York Jets 26-15. In an unprecedented turn of events the Panthers went 12-4 in only their second season winning the NFC West and making the NFC Championship game. The Panthers lost to the eventual champions Green Bay Packers 30-13, but noone could predict the Panthers would be so successful so quickly. Coach Dom Capers was named the NFL Coach of the Year for their outstanding success.

As the 1990′s went on the success of the Panthers went away as quickly as it came only recording an 8-8 season in 1999 which was their best since the 12-4 1996 season. In 2001, the Panthers had their worst season ever with a terrible 1-15 season. After a six year drought of not making the playoffs the Panthers once again came from nowhere and made an appearance in Super Bowl XXXVIII against the New England Patriots. Only two seasons after their 1-15 debacle, the Panthers nearly has the 360 degree turnaround they wanted. Although the Panthers lost the Super Bowl 32-29 they provided one of the most exciting Super Bowls of all-time losing on a last second field goal.

While the Panthers have only been in existence since 1995, they have had their share of talented, productive players which include wide receiver Steve Smith who won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2005 and defensive lineman Julius Peppers who is the Panthers all-time leader in sacks and was the 2002 Defensive Rookie of the Year, linebacker Kevin Greene, corner back Tyrone Poole, running back Stephen Davis, and current starting quarterback Jake Delhomme. Another Panther great was Sam Mills who had his number 51 retired in and was inducted to the Panthers Ring of Honor in 2005.

The Carolina Panthers play in the NFC South with the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and the Tamp Bay Buccaneers. Each team has one the division the last five seasons so rising to the top again for the Panthers can be attained. The NFC South is one of the divisions each team has a chance to win it seems in any given year, one team rises, then one team falls.