Why did Panthers take down Jerry Richardson’s statue? Looking back at former Panthers owner’s stewardship
Jerry Richardson owned the Carolina Panthers franchise for 25 consecutive years, including during their inaugural 1995 NFL season as an expansion team. He served as the principal owner for the first quarter of a century of the franchise’s existence before selling his shares in 2018.
To honor Jerry Richardson's status as a pioneer for the franchise, a statue was built for him outside the team's home, Bank of America Stadium. He was depicted holding a football and fittingly surrounded by two panthers.
The team was purchased by multi-billionaire David Tepper, who previously served as a miniorty owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During the 2020 NFL offseason, Tepper decided to take down the statue outside the stadium and safely store it away.
According to Sports Illustrated, Tepper said this about his decision:
"It was a safety reason at the time. With the environment, every statue in the country was coming under attack. It just made sense at all standpoints to move that statue. I don't think things will ever be quieted down. That's that, nor should they, in some respects."
The "environment" he's referring to is the aftermath of the George Floyd's murder by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In protest, many riots swept the country, including vandalization of public and private properties. Statues were one of the most popular targets of this vandalism, so Tepper attempted to preserve the Jerry Richardson statue by hiding it.
Jerry Richardson's alleged controversial history as the owner of the Panthers may have impacted David Tepper's decision
Another reason why the statue may have been a potential target of vandalism during the Floyd protests is Jerry Richardson's personal history. He was accused of sexual harassment and racial discrimination, including using inappropriate slurs, during his time as the Panthers owner. This allegedly played a major role in his decision to sell the team to David Tepper. It may have also impacted Tepper's decision to remove the statue.
We are saddened to hear about the passing of former owner Jerry Richardson. https://t.co/9Cjn0PSYW2
Three years later, during the 2023 NFL offseason, Jerry Richardson died at the age of 86.
His legacy lives on within the organization, regardless of whether or not the statue is put back up outside the Bank of America Stadium or not. He played a pivotal role in founding the franchise and locating them in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers made two Super Bowl appearances during his ownership, but failed to win the ring.