When he owned the team, Richardson would often refer back to the lessons learned selling hamburgers. 1 pick, Jalen Carter arrest throws Bears a hittable curve, NFL Combine notes: Illini CB Witherspoon the complete package, Trade down? The magazines investigation portrayed Richardson as an owner who acted inappropriately with a number of his female employees and also directed a racial slur at an African-American scout employed by the Panthers. 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. About the time he came into this world, thunder burst and lightning flashed. Richardson wanted $10,000 for the 61 season; the Colts offered $9,750. Former Panthers owner Jerry Richardson dead at 86 Richardson had a unique style of dealing with players, but generally was well-liked by those who played and coached under him. Panthers founder, former owner Jerry Richardson dies at 86 With the news also came a statement from current owner David Tepper and wife . Jerome J. Richardson was born July 18, 1936, in Spring Hope, N.C., the first step in a journey that would transform the Carolinas. 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. The Richardsons are both lifelong residents of North Carolina. On game days, he'd ride around Bank of America Stadium in his golf cart, greeting fans and taking pictures, relishing the moments. The founder and former owner of the Panthers passed away on Wednesday night. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 53 after a protracted fight with cancer. "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. 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 . 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. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. He was later released. Mr. Richardson is a native Carolinian, whose dream was to bring NFL football and the world championship he knew as a player in the . 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. People had said it was 150-to-1, 200-to-1. That never deterred me. And defensive end Greg Hardy was suspended after he was arrested for communicating threats after allegedly throwing his girlfriend on to furniture and threatening to kill her. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. He gave me a chance when no one else would! 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 Carolina's are historic,'' current owners David and Nicole Tepper said in a statement. 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. Scoring in a world championship game is about the ultimate as far as a player is concerned.. 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. "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. 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. The team said that "moving the statue is in the interest of public safety." A new home for Michael Thomas? Richardson became the first former NFL player to own a team since Chicagos George Halas when he landed the expansion Panthers in 1993. Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. 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. Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. The Panthers were the Carolinas team, but for many years, they belonged to Richardson. He also had a policy where fans weren't allowed to remove their shirts during games. He was 86. Florida. The NFL would independently investigate and substantiate many of the allegations raised by the magazine article while also uncovering similar matters that have not been the subject of public discussion, according to a 2018 NFL press release. Here you will get Jerry Richardson's net worth, weight, height net worth, girlfriend, educational qualification and complete bio. A family spokesman said Thursday that Richardson died peacefully last night at his Charlotte home.. If wed known then how long it would take, we never would have done it, Richardson said in 1995, on the eve of the Panthers first game. 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. 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. "The NFL community is deeply saddened by the passing of Jerry Richardson," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement Thursday. 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. 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. Their country home had no indoor plumbing. I've been told a lot of things.". Former Panthers general manager Marty Hurney worked under Richardson from 2002-12 and then returned to the team in 2017 and worked four more years. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Carolina Panthers founder Jerry Richardson dies at 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. 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. Richardson was born in his familys home in Spring Hope, in the eastern part of North Carolina, on July 18, 1936. 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. "His generosity will benefit future generations," Wofford athletics director Richard Johnson said. He was 86. 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. 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.". 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. Please keep the Richardson family in your prayers today! Charlotte had already become a professional sports town with the arrival of the NBA's Hornets in 1988, but those were the days when the city struggled to build an identity as anything other than a regional outpost, still confused with Charleston, S.C. or Charlottesville, Va., and years from becoming a national banking center. Also Read: What is enlarged heart? Along the way, decisions were made that changed the face of sports business. Conservative by nature, Richardson once cautioned Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton against getting tattoos and piercings after drafting the quarterback No. Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson is "fired up" to work with Washington's new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. 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). 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. $2 Billion. 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. He used his championship bonus money to open the first Hardee's in Spartanburg, South Carolina close to where he had attended Wofford College. He was 86. Richardson had heart problems at some point during his life. 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. . 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. Jerry Richardson, the founder of the American football team Carolina Panthers, has died at the age of 86. The scholarship was meant to honor his wife and her commitment to the arts. 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. Carolina Panthers founder, former owner Jerry Richardson died Prosecutors dismissed domestic violence charges against Hardy after they said the accuser in the case couldnt be found. Richardson was hospitalized in the year 2008 in Carolinas Medical Center. By then, the Panthers were playing their ninth NFL season. . The former president of the Panthers stadium was their son Jon Richardson. The team reached the Super Bowl in the 2003 and 2015 seasons, but lost both times. They would later marry and have three children. 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. Fox said from the NFL combine in Indianapolis. 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. Jerry Richardson Wife: Who Is Rosalind Sallenger Richardson? He ultimately became a millionaire and used that money to purchase the Panthers for $206 million. 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. Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? 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. 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. And he went above and beyond to bring love and comfort to a family at its toughest time.". I'd been here for one season and we'd won six games. Former Carolina Panthers owner, Wofford grad Jerry Richardson dies The family did not list a cause of death. The stadium was named "Jerry Richardson Stadium" after his donation of $10 Million. Early life and college [ edit] Richardson was born in Spring Hope, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton), NFL comissioner Roger Goodell, left, and Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson walk together during a break at an NFL owners meeting in Irving, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. He died at his home in Charlotte on Wednesday night, the team said in a statement Thursday. "The NFL community is deeply saddened by the passing of Jerry Richardson," commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. Pictures of Richardson holding babies or showing up at pre-game tailgates made their rounds on social media before most games. The following month the NFL fined Richardson $2.75 million for alleged workplace misconduct. After he had a heart transplant in Charlotte in 2009, Richardson lived for 14 more years. Jerry Richardson, a former NFL owner, is survived by his wife Rosalind Sallenger Richardson. 1:08 Jerry Richardson, founder of the Carolina Panthers, has died. Jerry Richardson age, height, weight, net worth 2023, wife, kids, gay But his work was hailed in league circles as a member of the league's stadium committee, and one of commissioner Roger Goodell's close circle of trusted voices. The new mayor has the power to physically remake the city or large portions of it. Although Richardson once promised the Panthers would win a Super Bowl "within 10 years" of beginning play in 1995, they never did. The Spring Hope, North Carolina, native spent years trying to persuade the NFL to put a team in the Carolinas, ultimately succeeding through a relatively original concept of funding a new stadium through the sales of permanent seat licenses. He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful.. Richardsons mother, Mary, told The Observer in 1993 that her son was born after 17 hours of labor during a thunderstorm. 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. Richardson became the first former NFL player to own a team since Chicago's George Halas when he landed the expansion Panthers in 1993. 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. Jerry Richardson Net Worth 2023: Age, Height, Weight, Wife, Kids, Bio 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. The NFL fined Richardson a league-record $2.75 million after its probe concluded, nearly tripling the amount of its previous record fine of $1 million. He sold the team to Tepper, a hedge fund owner, in May 2018 for a then-NFL record $2.27 billion. During the year in which Richardson waited for and later recovered from his heart transplants, his two sons led the organization. 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 . But Richardson also showed compassion for his players. Catch up on the developing stories making headlines. 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. Jansen Panettieres cause of death revealed by Hayden Panettiere and his family. 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. Category: Richest Business. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? The team said that moving the statue is in the interest of public safety. It has never returned. Playing for the Browns that day was offensive tackle Mike McCormack, whom Richardson would later hire as the Panthers first president. "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. The sale of the Panthers for a reported $2.275 billion followed the scandal that was uncovered by Sports Illustrated magazine in December 2017. 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. Richardson died peacefully Wednesday night at his Charlotte home, the team said in a statement. The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation supported the first-of-its-kind in Mecklenburg County project, which offers urgent care for behavioral health needs. This story was originally published March 2, 2023, 3:51 PM. Jerry Richardson family: Who are wife Rosalind Sallenger Richardson and He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful. He made the greatest gift in Wofford Colleges history in 2021 when he gave $150 million to the institution. He'd drop in on restaurants from time to time to check up, sticking his head in the drive-through line to surprise customers and employees alike. The concept was simple cheap hamburgers, served to the masses and wildly successful. Photos of Jerry Richardson throughout his time with the Panthers. Richardson packed up, left the Colts training camp and pointed his Oldsmobile station wagon toward the Carolinas. CHARLOTTE Jerry Richardson, the founder of the Carolina Panthers, passed away Wednesday night at age 86. 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 visited every owner in the league all 28 of them at least once, Muhleman said, and sought out the brilliant retired NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle at his California home. ''I'm literally at a loss of words. 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. 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. Because so many events in his life seemed to be marked by football time, the procedure began on Super Bowl Sunday, as the Steelers of his close friends the Rooney family were in the process of beating the Cardinals. I said, Yes sir, it did. He said, thats a good thing everything will be OK. And then he hung up the phone.. 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. At Wofford, Richardson majored in psychology, worked as a dormitory hall manager and joined the ROTC. Richardson is survived by his wife, Rosalind, son Mark and daughter Ashley Richardson Allen. Richardson then accompanied the Olsens to Boston for a medical consultation. Theres nothing Id rather do with my time than be supportive of the Carolina Panthers.. Using his championship game bonus as seed money, he opened his first Hardee's restaurant in Spartanburg. Richardson died peacefully Wednesday night at his Charlotte home, the team said in a statement. Richardson died. 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. That kind of attention to detail was not unlike his days as owner of the Panthers, in which he'd approve particulars of landscaping plans (native plants from each state on the north and south sides of the stadium to represent the two Carolinas) and the paint job on the field. The statue now resides in an undisclosed storage facility. Jerry Richardson Age, Wiki, Biography ", "I will always be thankful to Mr. Richardson for providing me with the opportunity to play for the Panthers. "I never thought about not getting a franchise," Richardson said, expressing his trademark confidence. Ralph Waclawicz/Call (212) 686-8900 or e-mail info@wireimage.com to license WireImage images. He overcame prostate cancer and underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 2002. He was 86. This website uses cookies and similar technologies to ensure you get the best experience, including personalised content. "On the NFL's behalf, I extend our sincere condolences to Jerry's wife, Rosalind, and their family.". 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. Though, he is 1.91 m tall, he weighs about 84 kg. 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. "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. Jerry Richardson, the self-made millionaire who brought the NFL to Charlotte and founded the Carolina Panthers, died Wednesday. You'll now receive the top Panthers Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. A lot of times people get to some level and they dont like to take a risk, he said. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. On the NFL's behalf, I extend our sincere condolences to Jerry's wife, Rosalind, and their family. But as he stepped back from some of his day-to-day work with the team, his influence within the NFL remained large. Within hours of the Sports Illustrated report, Richardson announced that he would sell the Panthers. On Thursday afternoon, the Carolina Panthers announced the passing of team founder and former owner Jerry Richardson. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. It was widely assumed Richardson would hold onto the team until his death. He was my boss. Richardson didnt play much for Baltimore. The Olsens honored Richardson by naming their son T.J., short for Trent Jerry. What will the Buffalo Bills do without defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier? Richardson was insistent on his stadium being financed privately. Jerry Richardson dies at 86; former NFL player was first owner of 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. 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. In the late 1950s, Rosalind Sallenger Richardson studied at Winthrop University. John Fox, who coached the Panthers from 2002 to 2010 and led them to the Super Bowl in 2003, told ESPN on Thursday that he and his family are "thankful'' for the opportunity Richardson gave them. CHARLOTTE Jerry Richardson, the founder of the Carolina Panthers, passed away Wednesday night at age 86. 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. Condolences to Rosalind, Ashley, & Mark and the Richardson family.. We wish them much peace and comfort.". Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson watches players warm up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010.