The NFL Panthers are expanding their Hall of Honor with the addition of former players Steve Smith, Jake Delhomme, Jordan Gross and Wesley Walls, and the move is something Owner David Tepper "put on his priority list after buying the team from Jerry Richardson last year," according to Joseph Person of THE ATHLETIC. The Panthers "have spent a quarter-century in the NFL and had honored exactly one player" -- the late Sam Mills in '98. With adding only four players in this class, the Panthers "got the ball rolling while also creating a debate over players left on the list" (THEATHLETIC.com, 5/6). Panthers Historical & Alumni Affairs Manager David Monroe, who led the committee that made the final decision, said that Smith, Delhomme, Gross and Walls "will be officially honored" at the Panthers' Oct. 6 or Nov. 3 home games this season. In Charlotte, Scott Fowler notes busts of the players "will be displayed on the 100-level concourse inside Bank of America Stadium in the Hall of Honor's new home, which will be accessible to all fans during Panthers home games or at other stadium events." Tepper has been "willing to listen to a number of recommendations from people who have been around the Panthers a lot longer than he has." Then Tepper has "acted, and generally made the right calls" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/7).
