Panthers Richardson defended by NFL Owners
Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson continues to be defended by fellow NFL owners…
There is no question the Carolina Panthers would not be where they are today without the work of founder and owner Jerry Richardson. After playing in the league and finding himself with the means to bring an NFL franchise to the Carolinas, Richardson worked tirelessly in order to accomplish his goal.
In October of 1993, Charlotte was named as an expansion city and the Panthers were born. Over the next twenty-plus seasons, Richardson would become one of the most involved owners in league history, serving on countless commissions and sub-committees with other high-profile owners.
After a Sports Illustrated article revealed allegations of workplace misconduct this past December, all that Richardson had worked to accomplish seemingly came crashing down. Accusations of settlement monies paid out to ex-employees in an effort to keep them from telling their stories mounted in addition to some odd behaviors exerted by the team owner.
Richardson supposedly would ask female employees if he could shave their legs and announced “Jean Days” in the office, when he would make his rounds through the building admiring his female employees.
The allegations led Richardson to announce the sell of the Panthers franchise this offseason and his immediate withdrawal from daily operations. Chief operating officer Tina Becker has taken over in his absence and is attending the league meetings in Orlando this week.
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There fellow owner Bob McNair of the Houston Texans, who grew up in North Carolina before attending the University of South Carolina, defended the actions of Richardson saying he could have been joking and was misunderstood.
"“I know Jerry. He’s an outstanding person … Some of the comments he might have made could have been made jokingly and misunderstood. I’m sure he didn’t mean to offend anybody.”"
McNair who was also recently in the news for his “inmates running the prison” comments in regards to the National Anthem protests occurring around the league, appears bound for hot water again. Although it obviously hasn’t kept him from taking up for another league owner.
The Texans owner wasn’t the first to defend Richardson as Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones expressed his sadness following the allegations back in December. In reference to Richardson’s work ethic and big heart, Jones stated the league needed, “all of those kind of men we can have.”
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Whether good or bad, the new Panthers owner should be just as accepted since it is believed that Richardson will have the final say in who he believes should inherit the franchise.