5 best free agent signings in Carolina Panthers history
By Jason Huber
Michael Bates – Former Carolina Panthers KR/WR
In case you don’t remember, Michael Bates was originally a sprinter in the Olympics before getting drafted into the NFL in 1993. He was originally claimed on waivers by the Carolina Panthers in 1995 before getting traded – but would then re-sign with them as a free agent in March 1996.
He lasted in Carolina until 2000 and was simply a game-changer with the football in his hands. Providing the team with an elite special teams presence with an electrifying burst that got fans out of their seats.
In 1996, Bates averaged a career-best 30.2 yards per kick return and was named an All-Pro. He made the Pro Bowl in all five seasons with the team and made a name for himself as one of the best kick-returners in league history.
During that stint, Bates set Panthers records with 223 kick returns, 5,986 kick return yards, and five kick return touchdowns
Carolina hasn’t been able to find a star kick returner like Bates since. He would end up re-signing with the team in 2003 but didn’t have much success and was subsequently moved on.
However, that shouldn’t detract from what a huge impact he made for the fledgling franchise during their initial period in the league.