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With the news also came a statement from current owner David Tepper and wife . 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. The lack of consistency irritated 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. Richardson took a lower public profile in later years as his gait and speech slowed he went nine years between press conferences at one point. CHARLOTTE Jerry Richardson, the founder of the Carolina Panthers, passed away Wednesday night at age 86. He took the money earned from that game and started the first Hardee's franchise in Spartanburg. The following month the NFL fined Richardson $2.75 million for alleged workplace misconduct. Sister-in-law never calls her late husbands sister and is dismissive of her grief. Carolina Panthers founder Jerry Richardson died Wednesday night at his home in Charlotte, North Carolina. I will always remember him, as will millions in his beloved Carolinas, as the father of NFL football in these sister states, said Max Muhleman, a public-relations specialist who worked closely with Richardson for years. Richardson ended the 59 regular season with seven receptions and three touchdowns, but saved his most memorable play for the title game against the New York Giants (the Super Bowl did not yet exist). Winthrop actually couldn't have welcomed someone better for their future, despite the fact that she probably appeared to be just another student at the moment. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. All about former Carolina Panthers owners, net worth, statue, scandals and more. When Richardson heard the news in Chicago on Oct. 26, 1993, that his bid had been accepted to own the NFLs 29th franchise, he pointed to television cameras from the Carolinas at a press conference and yelled: Thank you, thank you, thank you!. Scott Fowler is a national award-winning sports columnist for The Charlotte Observer. In 23 NFL seasons with Richardson as owner, the Panthers qualified for two Super Bowls, in the 2003 and 2015 postseason, although they lost both games. Info. I'd been here for one season and we'd won six games. "I will always be grateful to him for the opportunity to coach the Carolina Panthers & for his patient, steadfast leadership during 7 seasons," Rivera posted. 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. "Mr. Richardson taught me so many life lessons over the years and I will forever be grateful for the friendship and the bond that we had. It was also reported he used a racial slur directed toward a team scout. ", "Jerry Richardson gave me my first opportunity to be a head coach, and I'll always be thankful for that. "With the arrival of the Panthers in 1995, he changed the landscape of sports in the region and gave the NFL fans here a team to call their own. A public celebration of his life will be held at a later date, with details to follow. Richardson is survived by his wife, Rosalind, son Mark and daughter Ashley Richardson Allen. Rajeeta Kochhar? It was also reported he used a racial slur directed toward a team scout. No cause was given for Richardson's death. CHARLOTTE, N.C (AP) 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 . A 13-foot, 4500-pound statue of Richardson, given to him by his ownership partners in 2016 and placed outside Bank of America Stadium, was removed in June 2020 by the Panthers. The family is planning a private funeral service. 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.. Mr. Richardson claims that Wofford has had the biggest impact on his achievement in life, with no other influence coming close. 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. It ultimately took eight years from Richardson beginning the effort to the Panthers actually beginning play. Richardson was rarely one to back down from a challenge, but there were some challenges he couldn't overcome by sheer force of will and determination. Conservative by nature, Richardson once cautioned Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton against getting tattoos and piercings after drafting the quarterback No. Jerry Richardson got his heart transplanted in the year 2009. , , , Tunisha Sharma , , Jerry Richardson, the founder of the American football team Carolina Panthers, has died at the age of 86, He is survived by his wife Rosalind Sallenger Richardson and three children - Ashley, Jon, and Mark, Nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild are also included in his family. While fans saw a stoic Richardson sitting expressionless in his end-zone suite at Bank of America Stadium on Sundays, he was not afraid to cut up with his players. The team said that "moving the statue is in the interest of public safety." "I didn't know Mr. Richardson very well at all,'' Olsen said. Read what head coach Frank Reich said to the media during his press conference at the Combine on Wednesday. That would serve as the seed money for a hugely successful fast-food franchise that would lead to Richardson bringing an NFL franchise to the Carolinas. Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson waves to the Panthers fans during warmups prior to their playoff game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on January 08, 2006. Former Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson has died at age 86. Stephanie & I were saddened to learn of the passing of Jerry Richardson, Rivera said on social media. The heart donor has never been identified. Too grueling. Date of Birth: Jul 11, 1936 (86 years old) Richardsons mother, Mary, told The Observer in 1993 that her son was born after 17 hours of labor during a thunderstorm. "He called me and told my wife and I to meet him at the airport, and he put us on his plane and took us up to Boston Children's Hospital to make sure we got the best care and the best team to look at him. 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. On the NFL's behalf, I extend our sincere condolences to Jerry's wife, Rosalind, and their family. 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. The Richardsons have a total of nine grandchildren. He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful.. Richardson died peacefully Wednesday night at his Charlotte home, the team said in a statement. Jerry Richardson and wife Rosalind Sallenger Richardson established a $500,000 fully endowed scholarship to Winthrop. 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. Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera, who led Carolina to the Super Bowl in 2015, sent his condolences on Twitter. He was later released. "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. It was expected at the time one of the boys might inherit the team, but that never happened. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. But Richardson still had the $4,864 bonus he earned from the Colts 1959 championship. 2005 NFC Wild Card Playoff Game - Carolina Panthers vs New York Giants - January 8, 2006 Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey United States January 8, 2006 Photo by Ralph Waclawicz/WireImage.com, To license this image (6995493), contact WireImage: +1 212-686-8900 (tel) +1 212-686-8901 (fax) info@wireimage.com (e-mail) www.wireimage.com (web site), CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 28: Owner Jerry Richardson of the Carolina Panthers looks on before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 13, 2004 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. And he went above and beyond to bring love and comfort to a family at its toughest time.". He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful. He made millions in the business world in the food business, but it was football that made him happy. Carruth was imprisoned for 16 years. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images). During the year in which Richardson waited for and later recovered from his heart transplants, his two sons led the organization. He did so with lots of help, including the necessary financial backing from close friend and Charlotte mega-banker Hugh McColl Jr. Richardsons son Mark was also instrumental in the effort. The family did not own a car until Jerry Richardson was 16. 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. The Carolina Panthers are a testament to his extraordinary and tireless dedication to the community.But his league-first attitude as seen through his leadership of numerous NFL committees, including the Stadium Committee and Management Council Executive Committee, 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.As a former player himself, Jerry cared deeply about the welfare of players and the labor agreements he helped negotiate have led to improved pay and benefits for generations of players.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. "The NFL community is deeply saddened by the passing of Jerry Richardson. 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. Richardson served on several high-level owners committees, playing a key role in labor negotiations with the players union. Scoring in a world championship game is about the ultimate as far as a player is concerned.. Richardson served on several high-level owners committees, playing a key role in labor negotiations with the players' union. March 2, 2023 / 5:16 PM / AP. It was a miracle. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Ive always told him he came into the world with a streak of lightning.. Although Richardson once promised the Panthers would win a Super Bowl "within 10 years" of beginning play in 1995, they never did. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. He was 86. He attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he was a star tight end, and still holds the school's single-game record for receiving yards (241 against Newberry College in 1956). 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. "I didn't pay any attention to it. After growing up in the Fayetteville area, Richardson went to Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C.; where he excelled in football and laid the groundwork for a business empire that would allow him to return to the game he once walked away from. 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. Tepper has said several times in interviews that the business side of the Panthers organization was in disarray when he bought the team in 2018. 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. How could you ever forget that? Richardson said in the 1995 interview with The Observer. Richardson died peacefully Wednesday night at his Charlotte home, the team said in a statement. His height is 1.91 m tall, and his weight is 84 kg. View photos of Richardson from the inaugural season in 1995 through decades of coaches and players in the Panthers community. Theres nothing Id rather do with my time than be supportive of the Carolina Panthers.. Within hours of the Sports Illustrated report, Richardson announced that he would sell the Panthers. We all felt his love, all felt his commitment, Greene said of Richardson. Richardson became the first former NFL player to own a team since the Bears George Halas when he landed the expansion Panthers in 1993. 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. 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. Olsen and his wife Kara later named the child Trent Jerry Olsen after Richardson. But Richardson also showed compassion for his players. . 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. You cant get to all 2,000 of them, he said then of the companys restaurants. He used his championship bonus money to open the first Hardees in Spartanburg, South Carolina close to where he had attended Wofford College. The following month the NFL fined Richardson $2.75 million for alleged workplace misconduct. Pictures of Richardson holding babies or showing up at pre-game tailgates made their rounds on social media before most games. It has never returned. 2 days ago Richardson packed up, left the Colts training camp and pointed his Oldsmobile station wagon toward the Carolinas. The statue now resides in an undisclosed storage facility. He and his wife have two sons, Mark and Jon. Rosalind Sallenger Richardson; the wife of former player and current team owner, Jerome Johnson Richardson, simply known as Jerry Richardson; he is the owner of the Carolina Panthers. Playing for the Browns that day was offensive tackle Mike McCormack, whom Richardson would later hire as the Panthers first president. Being born on 18 July 1936, Jerry Richardson is 86 years old as of today's date 2nd March 2023. 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. People had said it was 150-to-1, 200-to-1. 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, Disputed loan at center of Commanders probe, amid allegations of sexual and racial workplace misconduct, More than 25 years experience covering NFL, college football and NASCAR. He ultimately became a millionaire and used that money to purchase the Panthers for $206 million. 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. 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. With the arrival of the Panthers in 1995, he changed the landscape of sports in the region and gave the NFL fans here a team to call their own. A 1987 Observer story noted that Richardsons Spartan Food Systems restaurant colossus at that point included 2,000 Hardees, Quincys and Dennys restaurants. The Panthers head coach knows that is complicated since they're picking ninth, but made it clear his preference would be to find a rookie quarterback and build. Please keep the Richardson family in your prayers today! Richardson remained confident throughout the process, getting a license plate that read PNTHERS in 1989 four years before his ownership group would actually be awarded a team. Id call it sticking to your convictions.. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Together they have three children and their names are Ashley Richardson Allen, Mark, and Jon. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. The family did not list a cause of death. He sold the team to Tepper, a hedge fund owner, in May 2018 for a then-NFL record $2.27 billion. The third head coach Richardson hired was John Fox in 2002, who would last for nine years before Richardson fired him and hired Ron Rivera following the 2010 season. XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? He was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1959 and caught a touchdown pass from Johnny Unitas in the 1959 NFL Championship Game. I am truly heartbroken and sad over the loss of my friend. "As a former player himself, Jerry cared deeply about the welfare of players and the labor agreements he helped negotiate have led to improved pay and benefits for generations of players. He calls and says, Jake, the sun came out today at my house, did it come out at yours?, Delhomme said Thursday. The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation supported the first-of-its-kind in Mecklenburg County project, which offers urgent care for behavioral health needs. 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. A public celebration of his life will be held at a later date. They have a daughter named Ashley and a son named Mark in addition to their son Jon, who passed away in 2013. Can the Lions fix their defense? This website uses cookies and similar technologies to ensure you get the best experience, including personalised content. He began to slow down as he entered his mid-60s, battling heart issues. While Richardson seldom held press conferences even during the early seasons of the Panthers franchise, his public appearances became far less frequent in his later years. Richardson had a unique style of dealing with players, but generally was well-liked by those who played and coached under him. Richardson had hired and fired two coaches Dom Capers, who got Carolina to the NFC championship game in Year 2 but could not repeat the success; and George Seifert, who went 16-32 in three desultory seasons in Carolina. The promise came close to coming true during the 2003 season. Then, in his rolling Southern. 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. 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. But as he stepped back from some of his day-to-day work with the team, his influence within the NFL remained large. He was 86. Jon Richardson died of cancer in 2013. Carolina began play in 1995 and Richardson quickly built the Panthers into one of the league's model franchises, while becoming a powerful figure in the NFL.