JERRY RICHARDSON is a native of Fayetteville and a Fayetteville Senior High School graduate whose dream was to bring NFL football and the world championship he knew as a player in the NFL to his home state. With the Panthers in their second decade, Richardson has firmly established the NFL into the Carolina landscape while dedicating his efforts to making the rest of his vision a reality. On October 26, 1993, Richardson became the first former NFL player since George Halas to become an owner when the Carolinas were unanimously awarded the NFL's 29th franchise. A lifelong resident of the Carolinas, Richardson and his wife, Rosalind Sallenger Richardson, have two sons, Jon and Mark, and a daughter, Ashley Richardson Allen, of Charlotte. The Richardsons have nine grandchildren and live in Charlotte. Richardson remains an active owner of the team, but generally has allowed his front office staff and coaches to make all decisions regarding player personnel and game strategy. He has always supported the Panthers in good and bad times, having never missed a Carolina home game until he was hospitalized before a December 8, 2008 Monday Night Football matchup against division rivals Tampa Bay. His connection with the team has led to the nickname "Big Cat".
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