The NFL Panthers yesterday unveiled a sculpture of Owner Jerry Richardson "flanked by two lunging panthers in front of the main entrance" to Bank of America Stadium to coincide with his 80th birthday, according to Erik Spanberg of the CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL. Todd Andrews, the sculptor "who created the six panther statues" in '96 and located around the stadium, also "designed the tribute to Richardson" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/18). Richardson said, "I'm actually speechless. Just overwhelmed." The sculpture is named "The Tribute," and the three figures weigh a total of 4,500 pounds and stand nearly 13 feet tall and four feet off the ground (Panthers). In Charlotte, Jonathan Jones notes the sculpture "depicts Richardson in a business suit holding out a football with his left hand." The two panthers "represent both offense and defense and North Carolina and South Carolina." Andrews said that Richardson seemed "'really pleased and grateful' at the unveiling." The sculpture was "completed in just six months" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/19). ESPN’s Mike Greenberg noted Richardson is the only owner who played in the NFL, so there is a "degree of respect for that." Greenberg: "He also is generally credited with being the driving force behind bringing football to that market and sort of made it flourish there, so I think it could be a way of the city sort of paying tribute to him” (“Mike & Mike,” ESPN Radio, 7/19).
ONE OF A KIND: In Charlotte, Tom Sorensen looked Richardson's role in the community on his 80th birthday, and wrote fans who see Richardson in his suite see a man whose "expression doesn't change regardless of how well or poorly his team plays." But stoic is an "expression, not a lifestyle." Richardson provided an airplane to TE Greg Olsen and his family when his son T.J. was "born with a heart defect." The Olsens "flew to Boston to consult a doctor and Richardson accompanied them." Richardson is "not an absentee owner." He shares "unsolicited opinions" with GMs, coaches and players. Richardson is aware of "every major decision the Panthers make, and has input in many or most of them" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/18).
