Photos of Jerry Richardson throughout his time with the Panthers. The following month the NFL fined Richardson $2.75 million for alleged workplace misconduct. 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. "His generosity will benefit future generations," Wofford athletics director Richard Johnson said. Richardson packed up, left the Colts training camp and pointed his Oldsmobile station wagon toward the Carolinas. I was told, 'You can't make money selling hamburgers for 15 cents.' His other. Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. Richardson survived a series of serious health-related issues in his later years. 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. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Along the way, decisions were made that changed the face of sports business. 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. Read what head coach Frank Reich said to the media during his press conference at the Combine on Wednesday. Former tight end Greg Olsen posted a four-minute video on Twitter, saying when Richardson learned his unborn son had a serious heart defect he insisted on flying his family to Boston Medical Center in his own personal jet so they could receive the best medical advice. Richardson served on several high-level owners committees, playing a key role in labor negotiations with the players union. He made millions in the business world in the food business, but it was football that made him happy. Richardson had 241 yards receiving in a game against Newberry in 1956, and he was named an Associated Press Little All-American in 57 and 58. Richardson died peacefully Wednesday night at his Charlotte home, the team said in a statement. In February 2021, Richardson made a $150 million gift to Wofford, pushing his personal contributions to the school to over a quarter of a billion dollars. 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. But I was a player on his team who needed help and he was able to provide it. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. After he had a heart transplant in Charlotte in 2009, Richardson lived for 14 more years. 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. His other son, Jon, died in 2013 at age 53 after a lengthy battle with cancer. 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 . 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. Richardson never addressed the allegations against him publicly. On Thursday afternoon, the Carolina Panthers announced the passing of team founder and former owner Jerry Richardson. He visited every owner in the league all 28 of them at least once, Muhleman said, and sought out the brilliant retired NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle at his California home. It was a stormy night, she said then. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL, 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. How could you ever forget that? Richardson said in the 1995 interview with The Observer. He would still make his rounds on his golf cart before many home games, however, greeting fans, players and coaches and shaking their hands. The Richardsons are both lifelong residents of North Carolina. Jerry Richardson Wife, Children Richardson's marital status was married. It was a very stressful time.. He fired a number of Richardson-era employees after his purchase and also quickly changed the 50-yard line symbol to the Panthers logo. Inaugural Keep Pounding High School Classic features Northwestern High School and Providence Day School. After purchasing the Panthers, Tepper said he was contractually obligated to keep the statue of Richardson, flanked by two panthers, outside of the downtown Charlotte stadium that Richardson built. He and I spent a tremendous amount of time talking about his vision for what the Panthers could do for the Carolinas. He made the greatest gift in Wofford Colleges history in 2021 when he gave $150 million to the institution. 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. It was expected at the time one of the boys might inherit the team, but that never happened. We are saddened to hear about the passing of former owner Jerry Richardson, the Panthers said via Twitter on Thursday afternoon. When linebacker Thomas Davis retired in 2021, he thanked Richardson for believing in him and keeping him on the roster despite having suffered three torn ACLs in the same knee. 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. I'd been here for one season and we'd won six games. Richardson was well liked by his players. 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. It has never returned. 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. "Jerry Richardson's contributions to professional football in the Carolinas are historic," current Panthers owner David Tepper and his wife Nicole said in a statement. Delhomme recalls getting a phone call from Richardson a couple of days after he had a disastrous four-turnover performance in a 33-13 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs in the 2008 season. Before that, Richardson was revered for bringing the Panthers to the NFL in 1995 and helping the team reach Super Bowls after the 2003 and 2015 seasons. 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. This story was originally published March 2, 2023, 3:51 PM. Foxs greatest success came in 2003, when a team with Jake Delhomme at quarterback and young stars like Steve Smith at wide receiver and Julius Peppers at defensive end made an unlikely run to the Super Bowl before losing on a last-second field goal to the New England Patriots, 32-29. The stadium was named "Jerry Richardson Stadium" after his donation of $10 Million. With the Colts, he roomed with quarterback Johnny Unitas, and caught a touchdown pass from the Hall of Famer in the 1959 NFL Championship Game. Rest up my friend!''. He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful. 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. Sister-in-law never calls her late husbands sister and is dismissive of her grief. 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. Richardson pulled down an 8-yard pass from Unitas for his first NFL touchdown in a 38-31 loss to Cleveland on Nov. 1, 1959. 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. 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. A public celebration of his life will be held at a later date, with details to follow. He loved the NFL so much that he kept the leagues logo a shield painted on the 50-yard line at Bank of America Stadium, rather than a team logo like nearly every other team in the league. No cause was given for Richardson's death. Richardsons bid for an NFL team had to at first beat out a competing bid for a Charlotte team from Shinn. Richardson is survived by his wife, Rosalind, son Mark and daughter Ashley Richardson Allen. An only child, Richardson had a modest upbringing. Their country home had no indoor plumbing. We wish them much peace and comfort.". He was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1959 and caught a touchdown pass from Johnny Unitas in the 1959 NFL Championship Game. pic.twitter.com/9Cjn0PSYW2. He and his wife have two sons, Mark and Jon. 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. He ultimately became a millionaire and used that money to purchase the Panthers for $206 million. Richardsons catch came in the horseshoe end of Memorial Stadium, where the rowdier Colts fans congregated. Prosecutors dismissed domestic violence charges against Hardy after they said the accuser in the case couldnt be found. The team said that moving the statue is in the interest of public safety. It has never returned. The entire family lives in Charlotte. His height is 1.91 m tall, and his weight is 84 kg. Jaguars won't spend big, but here are five players they could target in free agency. But underlying differences in how the team should be run made the owner ask his sons to resign in late August of 2009, about six months after Jerry Richardsons heart transplant. For better or worse. In a two-sentence statement at the time that didnt explain the mysterious parting, Richardson cited the great contributions his sons had made, but expressed confidence in the remaining members of the leadership team. But Richardson also showed compassion for his players. Richardson is survived by his wife, Rosalind, son Mark and daughter Ashley Richardson Allen. I dont know whether youd call it stubbornness or not, Richardson later told the Observer. And defensive end Greg Hardy was suspended after he was arrested for communicating threats after allegedly throwing his girlfriend on to furniture and threatening to kill her. 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 were the Carolinas team, but for many years, they belonged to Richardson. In 2009, he had a successful heart transplant at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. But when you get to some of them, the word moves fast to the rest of them.. And during Richardson's tenure as owner he always made sure the NFL logo instead of his team's was at midfield of Bank of America Stadium. He was 86. On the NFL's behalf, I extend our sincere condolences to Jerry's wife, Rosalind, and their family. He used his championship bonus money to open the first Hardees in Spartanburg, South Carolina close to where he had attended Wofford College. 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.". 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 children Ashley, Jon and Mark? Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. All about former Carolina Panthers owners, net worth, statue, scandals and more. Jerry Richardson, the self-made millionaire who brought the NFL to Charlotte and founded the Carolina Panthers, died Wednesday. Entering the last preseason game before final cuts, Richardson and Michigan States John Lewis were battling for the final receiver spot. 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. He married Rosalind Sallenger Richardson. View photos of Richardson from the inaugural season in 1995 through decades of coaches and players in the Panthers community. Jansen Panettieres cause of death revealed by Hayden Panettiere and his family, Kris Jordan: Cause of death, age, ex-wife Melissa Jordan, children, net worth and more, Where to buy Atlanta Falcons RB Cordarrelle Patterson's Christmas cleats. 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. 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. 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. We are saddened to hear about the passing of former owner Jerry Richardson. He was dedicated to making the Panthers the team of the Carolinas, building Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte and making Wofford College the long-time home of the team's training camp. XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? The Olsens honored Richardson by naming their son T.J., short for Trent Jerry. Rosalind Sallenger, Richardsons wife, also studied at Winthrop University in the late 1950s. I am truly heartbroken and sad over the loss of my friend. RIP Mr. Richardson pic.twitter.com/o27b6O5Czt. Within hours of the Sports Illustrated report, Richardson announced that he would sell the Panthers. Jerry Richardson got his heart transplanted in the year 2009. Too grueling. The following month the NFL fined Richardson $2.75 million for alleged workplace misconduct. The founder and former owner of the Panthers passed away on Wednesday night. Richardson began the process of building a football team in July of 1987, when he met with former Bank of America CEO and Charlotte icon Hugh McColl to discuss his dream of bringing the sport to his home state. He provided tremendous guidance to me, and to this day, Karen and I consider him and Rosalind true friends. The braver players like linebacker Kevin Greene and Delhomme would call him Big Cat. He was Mister Richardson to nearly everyone else in the building at Bank of America Stadium, with many shortening that name to simply Mister when referring to the team owner. "The NFL community is deeply saddened by the passing of Jerry Richardson," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement Thursday. 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). Date of Birth: Jul 11, 1936 (86 years old) Richardson, who was born July 18, 1936. Even in his later years, Richardsons posture showcased what Muhleman called a flawless vertical carriage that made him the tallest 6-foot-3 on the planet.. Richardson died peacefully Wednesday night at his Charlotte home, the team said in a statement. He was not a close personal friend at the time. 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. . Jansen Panettieres cause of death revealed by Hayden Panettiere and his family. A family spokesman said Thursday that Richardson died peacefully last night at his Charlotte home.. But his league-first attitude as seen through his leadership of numerous NFL committees helped pave the way for a series of public-private stadium partnerships throughout the country, and collective bargaining agreements that continue to support the growth of the game. When players would get into trouble, Richardson would invite them to his home and make them sit in a formal room listening to the minutes tick away on a grandfather clock before Richardson was ready to see them. He was 86. Richardson wanted $10,000 for the 61 season; the Colts offered $9,750. "I was able to become the player that I became because of him, because he encouraged and motivated me to Keep Pounding. I work, I go home, he said. His survivors include his wife Rosalind and two of their three children Mark and Ashley. 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. Although Richardson once promised the Panthers would win a Super Bowl within 10 years of beginning play in 1995, they never did. He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful. The family did not own a car until Jerry Richardson was 16. The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation supported the first-of-its-kind in Mecklenburg County project, which offers urgent care for behavioral health needs. And he went above and beyond to bring love and comfort to a family at its toughest time.". (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images). But in June 2020, the Panthers removed the statue, saying they were concerned there may be attempts to take the statue down due to protests and unrest following the death of George Floyd. Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. In the late 1950s, Rosalind Sallenger Richardson studied at Winthrop University. That kind of production earned him Associated Press Little All-America honors in 1957 and 1958, and in 1959, he was drafted by the Baltimore Colts. Conservative by nature, Richardson once cautioned Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton against getting tattoos and piercings after drafting the quarterback No. He made his private plane available to tight end Greg Olsen before Olsens wife delivered a son who was born with a congenital heart defect. We all felt his love, all felt his commitment, Greene said of Richardson. Scott Fowler is a national award-winning sports columnist for The Charlotte Observer. There, he began creating the emphasis on customer service that would carry over into his stewardship of his football team. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. 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. The team said that moving the statue is in the interest of public safety. It has never returned. The team reached the Super Bowl in the 2003 and 2015 seasons, but lost both times. Jerry Richardsons contributions to professional football in the Carolinas are historic, current Panthers owner David Tepper and his wife Nicole said in a statement. He began the Carolina Panthers franchise, which he owned from 1995 to 2018. After he had a heart transplant in Charlotte in 2009, Richardson lived for 14 more years. See video, posts and updates straight from Indianapolis as Panthers leaders speak to the media. Former Pro Bowl linebacker Thomas Davis, who played for Carolina from 2005 to 2018, summed up what many players thought of Richardson with this post on Instagram. Richardson was born in Spring Hope, North Carolina, in 1936. Theres nothing Id rather do with my time than be supportive of the Carolina Panthers..
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