The stadium was named "Jerry Richardson Stadium" after his donation of $10 Million. He took the money earned from that game and started the first Hardee's franchise in Spartanburg. On game days, he'd ride around Bank of America Stadium in his golf cart, greeting fans and taking pictures, relishing the moments. The Ohio State product feels good about his ability as a passer and extending plays with his legs, but he's just as willing to put in the work to grow at the next level. 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. When he owned the team, Richardson would often refer back to the lessons learned selling hamburgers. He sold the team to Tepper, a hedge fund owner, in May 2018 for a then-NFL record $2.27 billion. "Jerry Richardson's contributions to professional football in the Carolina's are historic,'' current owners David and Nicole Tepper said in a statement. Using his championship game bonus as seed money, he opened his first Hardee's restaurant in Spartanburg. Fox said from the NFL combine in Indianapolis. 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. His contributions to Wofford to date total more than $260 million, including capital upgrades. For me to try to explain to you guys what this man has meant to me and my family and so many others would take a lifetime," Davis posted. 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. "I was able to become the player that I became because of him, because he encouraged and motivated me to Keep Pounding. Info. 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. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. The Panthers began play in 1995 and Richardson quickly built Carolina into one of the leagues model franchises, while becoming a powerful figure in the NFL. A family spokesman said Thursday that Richardson died peacefully last night at his Charlotte home.. "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. Florida. The Richardsons have a total of nine grandchildren. He was 86. 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.". Richardson was born in his familys home in Spring Hope, in the eastern part of North Carolina, on July 18, 1936. Once a fixture at tailgate parties with random Panthers fans before home games he liked to show up unannounced via golf cart Richardson was rarely seen in public in his final years. Rosalind Sallenger, Richardsons wife, also studied at Winthrop University in the late 1950s. 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. If he succeeded, he would become only the second NFL owner ever to both play in the league and own a team the other being George Halas. The statue now resides in an undisclosed storage facility. 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. Id call it sticking to your convictions.. Richardson would set several Wofford receiving records on his way to a career that led the school to retire his football number. He made the greatest gift in Wofford Colleges history in 2021 when he gave $150 million to the institution. The Panthers were impressed with the Alabama quarterback after meeting him this week, and they've acknowledged the possibility of trading up to get in position for him. On Thursday afternoon, the Carolina Panthers announced the passing of team founder and former owner Jerry Richardson. To see what the Panthers are today, that's truly a testament to his vision.". 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 survivors include his wife Rosalind and two of their three children Mark and Ashley. He enlisted sports marketing executive Max Muhleman, and they put in place the first permanent seat license concept, in which fans paid an up-front fee for access to season tickets. Sister-in-law never calls her late husbands sister and is dismissive of her grief. I'd been here for one season and we'd won six games. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images). And he went above and beyond to bring love and comfort to a family at its toughest time.". The team said that moving the statue is in the interest of public safety. It has never returned. 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 was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful. 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. Darin Gantt. He calls and says, Jake, the sun came out today at my house, did it come out at yours?, Delhomme told The Associated Press on Thursday. Will Buffalo Bills' Nyheim Hines be fined for 'Santa's Helpers' elf cleats during Chicago Bears Christmas tie? That concept contributed more than $100 million to the stadiums eventual cost of around $187 million. He and I spent a tremendous amount of time talking about his vision for what the Panthers could do for the Carolinas. The following month the NFL fined Richardson $2.75 million for alleged workplace misconduct. He also had a policy where fans couldnt remove their shirts during games. Former Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson has died at age 86. "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. "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. Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. But after his second season, he walked away from the NFL in a dispute over money, and returned to Spartanburg to start his business career. He is survived by his wife Rosalind Sallenger Richardson and three children Ashley, Jon, and Mark. The team went for a then NFL record $2.275 billion. Jerry Richardsons contributions to professional football in the Carolinas are historic," current Panthers owner David Tepper and his wife Nicole said in a statement. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! An only child, Richardson had a modest upbringing. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Richardson became the first former NFL player to own a team since Chicagos George Halas when he landed the expansion Panthers in 1993. Pictures of Richardson holding babies or showing up at pre-game tailgates made their rounds on social media before most games. Nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild are also included in their family. Richardson never addressed the allegations against him publicly. The family did not own a car until Jerry Richardson was 16. A year after Carolina was awarded a franchise, in 1994, Richardson spoke to The Observer about what it was like to be an NFL owner. Giants co-owner John Mara once told Richardson during the intense labor talks, according to the MMQB website: I dont know whose heart you got, but that had to be a tough son of a bitch.. 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.. Mar 02, 2023 at 01:47 PM. In the late 1950s, Rosalind Sallenger Richardson studied at Winthrop University. He died at his home in Charlotte on Wednesday night, the team said in a statement Thursday. In 2016, Jerry Richardson made donations to establish the Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Center for the Arts on the Wofford College campus in honor of his wife of more than 60 years. The heart donor has never been identified. In every case he had one purpose: asking for advice and learning what it was that was wanted from member teams and owners.. He has authored or co-authored eight books, including four about the Carolina Panthers. Jansen Panettieres cause of death revealed by Hayden Panettiere and his family. A public celebration of his life will be held at a later date, with details to follow. 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. 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. "The Carolina Panthers are a testament to his extraordinary and tireless dedication to the community. Jerry Richardson, the former Carolina Panthers owner who sold the team amid accusations of workplace misconduct, and his wife Rosalind have donated $5 million to Charleston's International . He used his championship bonus money to open the first Hardees in Spartanburg, South Carolina close to where he had attended Wofford College. 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. 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. Former Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen, who played for Carolina from 2011 to 2019, revealed in a video message on Twitter that his son T.J., who was born with hypo-plastic left heart syndrome that initially required four open heart surgeries, was named in part after Richardson as the "J" is Jerry. No cause was given for Richardson's death. . The family is planning a private funeral service. After he had a heart transplant in Charlotte in 2009, Richardson lived for 14 more years. Richardsons legacy was forever changed when Sports Illustrated magazine published an investigative report just minutes before kickoff on a Sunday the Panthers were hosting the Green Bay Packers Dec. 17, 2017. We wish them much peace and comfort.". When Carolina received an NFL team from the League in 1993, Richardson became the second former NFL player to hold the position of the owner. Jerry Richardson Age, Wiki, Biography He has given considerable gifts to . They would later marry and have three children. "I didn't pay any attention to it. Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. "The point of the story is not so much about T.J. and our family, as much as it was the love of the man, and the love he had for a player he didn't owe a lot to. "The NFL community is deeply saddened by the passing of Jerry Richardson," commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott's cap hit might be rising in 2023, but owner Jerry Jones believes his quarterback has the ability to bridge the gap in any talent the roster might lose because of it. Although Richardson once promised the Panthers would win a Super Bowl within 10 years of beginning play in 1995, they never did. He was my boss. A 1987 Observer story noted that Richardsons Spartan Food Systems restaurant colossus at that point included 2,000 Hardees, Quincys and Dennys restaurants. "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. Richardson was celebrated for bringing the NFL to Carolina in 1995, but his tenure with the team ended after the 2017 season amid allegations of sexual and racial workplace misconduct. It ultimately took eight years from Richardson beginning the effort to the Panthers actually beginning play. Who was Jerry Richardson? 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. It was also reported he used a racial slur directed toward a team scout. 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. Carolina earned high marks in several key areas in survey, which rated various aspects of players' experience from strength coaches and the locker room to treatment of families. Deeply rooted in both Carolinas and once a wide receiver for the Baltimore Colts, Richardson persuaded the NFL to put an expansion team in Charlotte in 1993. It was expected at the time one of the boys might inherit the team, but that never happened. Richardson developed a friendship with some of his Panthers players -- some, like former wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, would approach him for business advice when their career were over. Here you will get Jerry Richardson's net worth, weight, height net worth, girlfriend, educational qualification and complete bio. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. He married Rosalind Sallenger Richardson. His survivors include his wife Rosalind and two of their three children Mark and Ashley. Head coach Frank Reich and general manager Scott Fitterer plan on speaking with the veteran quarterback again next week after Tuesday's meeting in Indianapolis. "Jerry Richardson brought NFL football to the Carolinas!'' Richardson served on several high-level owners committees, playing a key role in labor negotiations with the players' union. He was 86. He calls and says, Jake, the sun came out today at my house, did it come out at yours?, Delhomme said Thursday. A PSL would cost anywhere from $600 to $5400 per ticket and could later be re-sold or handed down in the right-holders will. 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 served on some of the league's most prestigious committees and had become one of the more powerful owners. Lets just say I wasnt bursting with optimism, Richardson told The Observer in a 1995 story. A former teammate of Johnny Unitas who caught a touchdown pass in the Baltimore Colts victory over the New York Giants in the 1959 NFL championship game, Richardson only spent two years in the NFL before venturing into the restaurant business. Jaguars won't spend big, but here are five players they could target in free agency. This website uses cookies and similar technologies to ensure you get the best experience, including personalised content. Ive always told him he came into the world with a streak of lightning.. Richardsons legacy also includes the birth of the Panthers and the development of a restaurant empire that made him a rich enough man to join one of Americas most exclusive clubs the leagues 32 NFL owners. Richardson was born in Spring Hope, North Carolina, in 1936. And in 2014 star defensive end Greg Hardy was placed on a commissioner's exempt list after he was accused of allegedly throwing his girlfriend on to furniture and threatening to kill her. 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. . Richardson beat long odds to earn the right to land a franchise. "Jerry Richardson's contributions to professional football in the Carolinas are historic," Panthers owners David and Nicole Tepper said in a statement. We all felt his love, all felt his commitment, Greene said of Richardson. At Wofford, Richardson majored in psychology, worked as a dormitory hall manager and joined the ROTC. The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation supported the first-of-its-kind in Mecklenburg County project, which offers urgent care for behavioral health needs. Jon Richardson died of cancer in 2013. Jerry Richardson, the founding owner of the Carolina Panthers, died Wednesday night at the age of 86, the team announced Thursday in a release on behalf of his family. , , , 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. But before he could ride around those games and bask in the adulation of having brought the NFL to the Carolinas, he had to deliver them. RIP Mr. Richardson pic.twitter.com/o27b6O5Czt. 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. Richardson took that playoff bonus money and invested it into the restaurant business. Richardson delivered an impassioned speech at the 2010 annual meetings, imploring owners to take back our league. But his hard-line tactics didnt sit well with all players, particularly after he was said to have spoken condescendingly toward Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Drew Brees during a negotiating session. 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 sold the team to Tepper, a hedge fund owner, in May 2018 for a then-NFL record $2.27 billion. The Carolina Panthers defeated the New York Giants 23 to 0. Im 58 years old, and I dont hunt, I dont fish, and I dont play golf. 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. 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. Can the Lions fix their defense? 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! 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. 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. 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. Jerry Richardson family: Who are wife Rosalind Sallenger Richardson and children Ashley, Jon and Mark? On the NFL's behalf, I extend our sincere condolences to Jerry's wife, Rosalind, and their family. Too grueling. Date of Birth: Jul 11, 1936 (86 years old) The Dallas Cowboys will place the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard if the two sides cannot reach a long-term deal before March 7's deadline, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday, per sources. 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. He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade), Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, right, introduces the team's new coach, Ron Rivera, left, during a news conference in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011. Jerry Richardson Net Worth. It was also reported he used a racial slur directed toward a team scout. Fowler has earned 20 national APSE writing awards and hosted The Observers podcast Carruth, which Sports Illustrated named 2018s Podcast of the Year. His new podcast and online series is called Sports Legends of the Carolinas and features 1-on-1 interviews with NC and SC sports icons. Prosecutors dismissed domestic violence charges against Hardy after they said the accuser in the case couldnt be found. Jerry Richardsons contributions to professional football in the Carolinas are historic. He chaired the labor committee during the 2011 lockout before owners and players agreed on a 10-year collective bargaining agreement that ended the longest work stoppage in NFL history. I dont know whether youd call it stubbornness or not, Richardson later told the Observer. Together they have three children and their names are Ashley Richardson Allen, Mark, and Jon. Theres nothing Id rather do with my time than be supportive of the Carolina Panthers.. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our. 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. Richardson had heart problems at some point during his life. Richardson, who was born July 18, 1936. 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. Because of his imposing build and status as a former NFL player, Richardson engendered a level of respect not often accorded to NFL owners. Richardson packed up, left the Colts training camp and pointed his Oldsmobile station wagon toward the Carolinas. He played football at Fayetteville High 6-3, 150-pound receiver known as Stick for his slender frame who won the teams Competitor Trophy. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Too brutal.. The Richardsons are both lifelong residents of North Carolina. His other. As a football fan, he has naming rights to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte's football field. 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. 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. Here's everything we know, Everything you need to know about Geno Smith's contract negotiations, The most memorable pre-NFL draft workouts ever: Coaches, scouts, execs make their picks, 2023 NFL franchise tag tracker: Raiders tag Josh Jacobs, the NFL's rushing leader. I said, Yes sir, it did. He said, thats a good thing everything will be OK. And then he hung up the phone.. The Panthers were the Carolinas team, but for many years, they belonged to Richardson. 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. Richardson is survived by his wife, Rosalind, son Mark and daughter Ashley Richardson Allen. See video, posts and updates straight from Indianapolis as Panthers leaders speak to the media. "The NFL community is deeply saddened by the passing of Jerry Richardson," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement Thursday. His height is 1.91 m tall, and his weight is 84 kg. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 53 after a protracted fight with cancer. One of our dear friends said, God does not give out hearts lightly, Rosalind Richardson told The Observer two weeks after the surgery. 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 . He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful. 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. The Carolina Panthers founder and former owner died on March 1, 2023. Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson is "fired up" to work with Washington's new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Quarterback Jake Delhomme, who led the Panthers to their first Super Bowl in the 2003 season, said Richardson was well respected in the locker room and great to me and every player who played for him.. "I will always be grateful to him for the opportunity to coach the Carolina Panthers & for his patient, steadfast leadership during 7 seasons," Rivera said on social media. He was 86. He would still make his rounds on his golf cart before many home games, however, greeting fans, players and coaches and shaking their hands. Being born on 18 July 1936, Jerry Richardson is 86 years old as of today's date 2nd March 2023. What will the Buffalo Bills do without defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier? In 2000, wide receiver Rae Carruth, the teams first-round draft pick in 1997, was convicted on a murder conspiracy charge in connection with the drive-by shooting death of his pregnant girlfriend. 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.". 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.