Carolina Panthers Move Controversial Statue of Former Owner from Outside Stadium
The Carolina Panthers just moved the 13-foot statue of former owner, Jerry Richardson, from in between two snarling panthers “in the interest of public safety,” according to the Panther’s twitter page. The statue was given to Richardson by the Panther’s minority partners in honor of his 80th birthday.
The Panthers moved the statue since they were worried about protesters toppling the 2.5-ton statue in fear that it would crush someone.
Jerry Richardson established the Carolina Panthers in 1993 after playing just two years in the NFL. Despite being known as a “champion of diversity,” Richardson was accused of using racial slurs towards African-American Panther’s scouts and sexual misconduct towards employees.
Because of this, Richardson announced after the 2017 season, that he would sell the team. David Tepper, the Pittsburgh Steelers minority owner, bought the team for $2.2 billion.
1 year later on May 22, 2018, Richardson was fined $2.75 million by the NFL after an investigation into his misconduct.
According to safety, Tre Boston, Richardson discouraged players from protesting against social injustice and kneeling during the 2016 season to fight alongside quarterback, Colin Kaepernick.
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Boston also said “For me, the Carolina Panthers, we hold ourselves to a standard. We hold ourselves with Pride. We do the right things.” Boston added on that removing the statue was “best for the community.”
Richardson’s spokesman, Jim Gray, said “He [Jerry Richardson] has worked to treat all people fairly in his business and personal lives and, like many other Americans is troubled by recent events in Minneapolis, Charlotte, and around the country.”
