It was expected at the time one of the boys might inherit the team, but that never happened. I'd been here for one season and we'd won six games. You cant get to all 2,000 of them, he said then of the companys restaurants. That got Richardson seriously thinking about trying to bring an NFL team to Charlotte. A native son who was shaped by the region, his personal journey culminated with bringing professional football to the Carolinas, leaving an indelible mark on the area he loved. He fired both his sons Mark, the team president, and Jon, the director of stadium operations following a sibling squabble at the stadium in front of other employees while he was recovering from a heart transplant in 2009. Though, he is 1.91 m tall, he weighs about 84 kg. They have three children. The team said that moving the statue is in the interest of public safety. It has never returned. Jaguars won't spend big, but here are five players they could target in free agency. Read what head coach Frank Reich said to the media during his press conference at the Combine on Wednesday. During its very 1st season, he triumphed over the NFL Super Bowl. Richardson became the first former NFL player to own a team since Chicagos George Halas when he landed the expansion Panthers in 1993. Richardson said in 2018 his greatest mission in life was bringing the NFL to the Carolinas. People had said it was 150-to-1, 200-to-1. Early life and college [ edit] Richardson was born in Spring Hope, North Carolina. Photos: Carolina Panthers founder, former owner Jerry Richardson over the years, Support my work with a digital subscription, A nervous Kevin Durant debuts for Phoenix in Charlotte. 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. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 21-14. Being a part of the inaugural season is something that I will never forget. "I didn't pay any attention to it. He was 86. 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. RIP Mr. Richardson pic.twitter.com/o27b6O5Czt. Richardson never addressed the allegations against him publicly. He fired a number of Richardson-era employees after his purchase and also quickly changed the 50-yard line symbol to the Panthers logo. He began the Carolina Panthers franchise, which he owned from 1995 to 2018. $2 Billion. 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. 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. (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. XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? We got love from a man that was my employer, my boss, not a close personal friend at the time, Olsen said. Jerome Johnson Richardson Sr. (July 18, 1936 - March 1, 2023) was an American businessman, football player, and owner in the National Football League (NFL). He has authored or co-authored eight books, including four about the Carolina Panthers. Richardson then accompanied the Olsens to Boston for a medical consultation. Carolina Panthers founder Jerry Richardson died Wednesday night at his home in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. He made millions in the business world in the food business, but it was football that made him happy. Sports columnist Scott Fowler has written for The Charlotte Observer since 1994. Richardsons catch came in the horseshoe end of Memorial Stadium, where the rowdier Colts fans congregated. 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.. "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. Date of Birth: Jul 11, 1936 (86 years old) Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. A public celebration of his life will be held at a later date. When I went through my injuries and everyone told him it was time to move on and turn the page he said no. 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. 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. Catch up on the developing stories making headlines. Richardson served on several high-level owners committees, playing a key role in labor negotiations with the players union. '', We are saddened to hear about the passing of former owner Jerry Richardson. The team went for a then NFL record $2.275 billion. He owned the franchise from its inception in 1995 until 2018 when he sold it to David and Nicole Tepper. He took the money earned from that game and started the first Hardee's franchise in Spartanburg. I was told, 'You can't make money selling hamburgers for 15 cents.' Please check your email for a confirmation. Sister-in-law never calls her late husbands sister and is dismissive of her grief. They becamethe parents of three children. At Wofford, Richardson majored in psychology, worked as a dormitory hall manager and joined the ROTC. 1:08 Jerry Richardson, founder of the Carolina Panthers, has died. 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. 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. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our. He and his wife have two sons, Mark and Jon. As with other captains of industry, Richardson's name adorns a number of buildings throughout the two states, but few places carry it as proudly as his alma mater. Within hours of the Sports Illustrated report, Richardson announced that he would sell the Panthers. 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 following month the NFL fined Richardson $2.75 million for alleged workplace misconduct. In the late 1950s, Rosalind Sallenger Richardson studied at Winthrop University. He believed in me when no one else did. "The NFL community is deeply saddened by the passing of Jerry Richardson," commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. 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. I dont know whether youd call it stubbornness or not, Richardson later told the Observer. 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. Although Richardson once promised the Panthers would win a Super Bowl within 10 years of beginning play in 1995, they never did. 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. The family did not own a car until Jerry Richardson was 16. Jerry Richardsons contributions to professional football in the Carolinas are historic," current Panthers owner David Tepper and his wife Nicole said in a statement. Jerry Richardson entered Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, after completing high school in Fayetteville, North Carolina. 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. 2 days ago Richardson was born in Spring Hope, North Carolina, in 1936. This story was originally published March 2, 2023, 3:51 PM. He was a married man. 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. The family moved to Fayetteville when Richardson was in elementary school. Richardson never addressed the allegations against him publicly. In 1987, Richardson heard on the radio that businessman George Shinn had won his bid to bring an NBA franchise to Charlotte. 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. A native son who was shaped by the region, his . Personal Life: Dating, Girlfriends, Wife, Kids. He was 86. Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. Cleveland Browns vs New Orleans Saints weather report: What is the temperature at FirstEnergy stadium? Richardson became the first former NFL player to own a team since the Bears George Halas when he landed the expansion Panthers in 1993. 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. Lawmakers and others should not seek to undo laws meant to protect people from gun violence. 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. 1 pick, Jalen Carter arrest throws Bears a hittable curve, NFL Combine notes: Illini CB Witherspoon the complete package, Trade down? Too grueling. 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 . "The NFL community is deeply saddened by the passing of Jerry Richardson. "No one has done more for Wofford students. Please keep the Richardson family in your prayers today! Also Read: What is enlarged heart? Quarterback Jake Delhomme, who led the Panthers to their first Super Bowl in the 2003 season, recalls getting a phone call from Richardson a couple of days after enduring he endured a disastrous four-turnover performance in a 33-13 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals in the 2008 playoffs. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton), Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme, left, talks with team owner Jerry Richardson, right, during the NFL team's football training camp in Spartanburg, S.C., on Saturday, July 26, 2008. "Jerry Richardson's contributions to professional football in the Carolina's are historic,'' current owners David and Nicole Tepper said in a statement. His contributions to Wofford to date total more than $260 million, including capital upgrades. The team reached the Super Bowl in the 2003 and 2015 seasons, but lost both times. The statue now resides in an undisclosed storage facility. He served on some of the league's most prestigious committees and had become one of the more powerful owners. Jerry Richardson and wife Rosalind Sallenger Richardson established a $500,000 fully endowed scholarship to Winthrop. "On the NFL's behalf, I extend our sincere condolences to Jerry's wife, Rosalind, and their family.". (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images). Richardson had a unique style of dealing with players, but generally was well-liked by those who played and coached under him. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. He was 86. Sign up for the Panthers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. With the news also came a statement from current owner David Tepper and wife . Olsen and his wife Kara later named the child Trent Jerry Olsen after Richardson. Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. As the team's owner, Jerry Richardson, made his rounds on the way to his spacious office, he would ask women to turn around so he could admire their backsides. The team called the statue a public safety hazard at the time, citing the nightly social justice marches then occurring in Charlotte. Carolina began play in 1995 and Richardson quickly built the Panthers into one of the leagues model franchises, while becoming a powerful figure in the NFL. The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation supported the first-of-its-kind in Mecklenburg County project, which offers urgent care for behavioral health needs. Richardsons mother, Mary, told The Observer in 1993 that her son was born after 17 hours of labor during a thunderstorm. Darin Gantt. 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. 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. Richardson served on several high-level owners committees, playing a key role in labor negotiations with the players' union. We are saddened to hear about the passing of former owner Jerry Richardson, the Panthers said via Twitter on Thursday afternoon. 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 entire family lives in Charlotte. 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.. He is survived by his wife Rosalind Sallenger Richardson and three children Ashley, Jon, and Mark. He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful. The promise came close to coming true during the 2003 season. He sold the team to Tepper, a hedge fund owner, in May 2018 for a then-NFL record $2.27 billion. He calls and says, Jake, the sun came out today at my house, did it come out at yours?, Delhomme said Thursday. 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. 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. Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. "His generosity will benefit future generations," Wofford athletics director Richard Johnson said. 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. Id call it sticking to your convictions.. Im 58 years old, and I dont hunt, I dont fish, and I dont play golf. Heather ODonnell of the Chicago social services agency Thresholds says the money is an opportunity to really build up substance use care.. One of our dear friends said, God does not give out hearts lightly, Rosalind Richardson told The Observer two weeks after the surgery. Richardson and Rosalind moved into an apartment close to Memorial Stadium in Baltimore with their infant son, Jon. But when you get to some of them, the word moves fast to the rest of them.. 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. 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. We wouldnt go into this if I didnt think we could do it, Richardson said at a Charlotte news conference on Dec. 15, 1987, when he officially announced his bid for an NFL expansion franchise. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Carruth was imprisoned for 16 years. Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? Richardson survived a series of serious health-related issues in his later years. On Thursday afternoon, the Carolina Panthers announced the passing of team founder and former owner Jerry Richardson. The team reached the Super Bowl in the 2003 and 2015 seasons, but lost both times. Scott Fowler is a national award-winning sports columnist for The Charlotte Observer. Following his heart transplant, Richardson remained active in league business. Mr. Richardson is a native Carolinian, whose dream was to bring NFL football and the world championship he knew as a player in the . The NFL expansion process was painstaking. There, he began creating the emphasis on customer service that would carry over into his stewardship of his football team. Will Buffalo Bills' Nyheim Hines be fined for 'Santa's Helpers' elf cleats during Chicago Bears Christmas tie? He was 86. An explanation of winter vs nesting robins locally, winter aconite in snow, hiking the Appalachian Trail, and ice shacks being down on Lake Winnebago are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors. Their football stadium already had a name, but the school's new basketball arena and athletic facility still bear his, as does the football stadium at UNC Charlotte. "And he went above and beyond to bring comfort to a family at its toughest time.". 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. "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. Richardson was born in his familys home in Spring Hope, in the eastern part of North Carolina, on July 18, 1936. His mother worked as a sales clerk at a womens dress shop. I was told I couldn't get my company on the New York Stock Exchange before I was 40. Richardson wanted $10,000 for the 61 season; the Colts offered $9,750. 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. Three months later, running back Fred Lane, who had just been traded to Indianapolis, was shot and killed by his wife in their Charlotte home. We wish them much peace and comfort.". The report alleged that Richardson had committed numerous instances of workplace misconduct, including sexual harassment, uttering a racial slur and asking some of his female employees if he could personally shave their legs., The report, which was substantiated by the NFLs ensuing probe, revealed that at least four former Panthers employees had received significant financial settlements from Richardson following his inappropriate behavior in exchange for what amounted to a vow of silence. It also noted that Fridays were Jeans Day at the Panthers offices, and that became fodder for many inappropriate comments by Richardson. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Jerry Richardson got his heart transplanted in the year 2009. He sold the team to Tepper, a hedge fund owner, in May 2018 for a then-NFL record $2.27 billion. He also had a policy where fans weren't allowed to remove their shirts during games. Florida. Also Read: Kris Jordan: Cause of death, age, ex-wife Melissa Jordan, children, net worth and more. The plan to finance the stadium largely with his own money was the part that carried the biggest risk, but Richardson told The Observer in 1987 that would be part of the fun. It revealed that Richardsons assistant would escort female employees to Richardsons office and then leave. The former president of the Panthers stadium was their son Jon 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. He and I spent a tremendous amount of time talking about his vision for what the Panthers could do for the Carolinas. 5:26 PM on Mar 2, 2023 CST. 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. Richardson beat long odds to earn the right to land a franchise. Personal Life: Affair, Girlfriends, Wife, Kids. Who was Jerry Richardson? 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. 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 Written By: Alfeeya Mohsin Pathan Chad Reuter provides a stock report from Indianapolis. The scholarship was meant to honor his wife and her commitment to the arts. Can the Lions fix their defense? On game days, he'd ride around Bank of America Stadium in his golf cart, greeting fans and taking pictures, relishing the moments. The following month the NFL fined Richardson $2.75 million for alleged workplace misconduct. ", "Jerry Richardson gave me my first opportunity to be a head coach, and I'll always be thankful for that. All about former Carolina Panthers owners, net worth, statue, scandals and more. That allegiance to the league and his status within it also made him one of the lead voices for owners in the 2010 labor negotiations, in which he famously and sometimes profanely clashed with players across the table including Peyton Manning. 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. "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. "The Carolina Panthers are a testament to his extraordinary and tireless dedication to the community. 1 overall in 2011 for fear it would impact his image. I said, Yes sir, it did. He said, thats a good thing everything will be OK. And then he hung up the phone.. He married Rosalind Sallenger Richardson. A new home for Michael Thomas? 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. But Richardson's 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. "Condolences to Rosalind, Ashley, & Mark and the Richardson family.''. The resignations were a shocking development that left Richardson as the only family member involved in the teams day-to-day operations. He also had a policy where fans couldnt remove their shirts during games. Richardsons tenure was marred by off-field issues. We wish them much peace and comfort.. . He ultimately became a millionaire and used that money to purchase the Panthers for $206 million. pic.twitter.com/9Cjn0PSYW2. With an emphasis on need-based monetary scholarships and opportunities for Wofford students, this contribution is intended for the colleges endowment. He has given considerable gifts to . Richardson was hospitalized in the year 2008 in Carolinas Medical Center. I've been told a lot of things.". Their country home had no indoor plumbing. He was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1959 and caught a touchdown pass from Johnny Unitas in the 1959 NFL Championship Game. 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. But until Oct. 26, 1993 the day Richardson was awarded the NFL's 29th franchise it was all still a dream, to everyone but Richardson. Richardson, a North. "The odds against us were huge. 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. Funeral services will be private. It was also reported he used a racial slur directed toward a team scout. ", "I will always be thankful to Mr. Richardson for providing me with the opportunity to play for the Panthers. 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. Richardson was insistent on his stadium being financed privately. It has never returned. Richardson founded the. 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. 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. The team also became embedded in the sports culture of the Carolinas, producing stars like Cam Newton, Steve Smith and Luke Kuechly and routinely selling out 73,000-seat Bank of America Stadium. 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. Scoring in a world championship game is about the ultimate as far as a player is concerned.. March 2, 2023 / 5:16 PM / AP. ''I'm literally at a loss of words. The team said that "moving the statue is in the interest of public safety." The financing plan got an enormous boost, however, due to the permanent-seat license (PSL) concept created by public relations guru Muhleman (who had also helped birth the Hornets). Here you will get Jerry Richardson's net worth, weight, height net worth, girlfriend, educational qualification and complete bio. That never deterred me. 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. Jansen Panettieres cause of death revealed by Hayden Panettiere and his family. Richardson had heart problems at some point during his life. . The Panthers were the Carolinas team, but for many years, they belonged to Richardson. "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. "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. Two months after going on the donor waiting list, Richardson, then 72, received his transplant on Super Bowl Sunday in 2009 during a five-hour procedure at Carolinas Medical Center.