After he had a heart transplant in Charlotte in 2009, Richardson lived for 14 more years. Ralph Waclawicz/Call (212) 686-8900 or e-mail info@wireimage.com to license WireImage images. I dont have any hobbies. 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. The Carolina Panthers defeated the New York Giants 23 to 0. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton), Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme, left, talks with team owner Jerry Richardson, right, during the NFL team's football training camp in Spartanburg, S.C., on Saturday, July 26, 2008. Darin Gantt. Scoring in a world championship game is about the ultimate as far as a player is concerned.. Read what head coach Frank Reich said to the media during his press conference at the Combine on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/9Cjn0PSYW2. Being a part of the inaugural season is something that I will never forget. At Wofford, Richardson majored in psychology, worked as a dormitory hall manager and joined the ROTC. He and Bradshaw Richardsons former quarterback at Wofford opened their first Hardees restaurant in 1961 in Spartanburg. It was a miracle. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 21-14. He sold the team to Tepper, a hedge fund owner, in May 2018 for a then-NFL record $2.27 billion. "He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful. They kept opening more and more Hardees, with Richardson before long a multi-millionaire taking a hands-on approach to the business many times. I was told I couldn't get my company on the New York Stock Exchange before I was 40. Although Richardson once promised the Panthers would win a Super Bowl "within 10 years" of beginning play in 1995, they never did. When Greene was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016, he mentioned Richardson and his deep love for his Panthers players in his speech. "The NFL community is deeply saddened by the passing of Jerry Richardson. We wish them much peace and comfort.. A public celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Quincy Williams or JuJu Smith-Schuster: Who is the better grinch. But when you get to some of them, the word moves fast to the rest of them.. Jerry Richardson, the founder of the American football team Carolina Panthers, has died at the age of 86 He is survived by his wife Rosalind Sallenger Richardson and three children - Ashley, Jon, and Mark Nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild are also included in his family Written By: Alfeeya Mohsin Pathan A native son who was shaped by the region, his . Within hours of the report, Richardson announced his decision to sell the team. Richardson pulled down an 8-yard pass from Unitas for his first NFL touchdown in a 38-31 loss to Cleveland on Nov. 1, 1959. Sources have told The Observer it will never return to the stadium. I'd been here for one season and we'd won six games. Richardson called Archie Manning, Peytons father, to clear the air and believed the situation was overblown. After the Baltimore Colts drafted Richardson in the 13th round, he showed up for training camp in 1959 as one of 19 receivers fighting for three spots on the 36-man roster. Tepper has said several times in interviews that the business side of the Panthers organization was in disarray when he bought the team in 2018. This story was originally published March 2, 2023, 3:51 PM. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. He served on some of the league's most prestigious committees and had become one of the more powerful owners. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. His survivors include his wife Rosalind and two of their three children Mark and Ashley. "And he went above and beyond to bring comfort to a family at its toughest time.". By then, Richardson had become a generally popular owner with his players and was doing the Panthers job full-time, having left the day-to-day restaurant business in 1995. His height is 1.91 m tall, and his weight is 84 kg. Richardson served on several high-level owners committees, playing a key role in labor negotiations with the players union. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. His contributions to Wofford to date total more than $260 million, including capital upgrades. 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. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott's cap hit might be rising in 2023, but owner Jerry Jones believes his quarterback has the ability to bridge the gap in any talent the roster might lose because of it. Richardson would set several Wofford receiving records on his way to a career that led the school to retire his football number. As a football fan, he has naming rights to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte's football field. They played miniature golf in Myrtle Beach on their first date. He made the greatest gift in Wofford Colleges history in 2021 when he gave $150 million to the institution. Olsen and his wife Kara later named the child Trent Jerry Olsen after Richardson. Jerry Richardson Net Worth. 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. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. See video, posts and updates straight from Indianapolis as Panthers leaders speak to the media. He took the money earned from that game and started the first Hardee's franchise in Spartanburg. "The NFL community is deeply saddened by the passing of Jerry Richardson," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement Thursday. Giants co-owner John Mara once told Richardson during the intense labor talks, according to the MMQB website: I dont know whose heart you got, but that had to be a tough son of a bitch.. Jerome Johnson Richardson Sr. (July 18, 1936 - March 1, 2023) was an American businessman, football player, and owner in the National Football League (NFL). Richardson is survived by his wife, Rosalind, son Mark and daughter Ashley Richardson Allen. Richardson died peacefully Wednesday night at his Charlotte home, the team said in a statement. All about former Carolina Panthers owners, net worth, statue, scandals and more. Also Read: Kris Jordan: Cause of death, age, ex-wife Melissa Jordan, children, net worth and more. He was a loyal member of the league, and painted "The Shield" logo at the 50-yard-line of his home field throughout his tenure as owner. "The point of the story is not so much about T.J. and our family, as much as it was the love of the man, and the love he had for a player he didn't owe a lot to. The promise came close to coming true during the 2003 season. He used his championship bonus money to open the first Hardees in Spartanburg, South Carolina close to where he had attended Wofford College. No cause was given for Richardson's death. 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.". That kind of production earned him Associated Press Little All-America honors in 1957 and 1958, and in 1959, he was drafted by the Baltimore Colts. Jerry Richardson Wife, Children Richardson's marital status was married. Carruth was imprisoned for 16 years. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. . Can the Lions fix their defense? I work, I go home, he said. While hitchhiking with some Wofford friends at Pawleys Island, S.C., during the summer of 1957, he met a Winthrop student and former Florence High cheerleader named Rosalind Sallenger. A year after Carolina was awarded a franchise, in 1994, Richardson spoke to The Observer about what it was like to be an NFL owner. 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. CHARLOTTE, N.C (AP) 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 . Richardson knew that his physical presence inside a store had a way of motivating his employees. Wofford offered Richardson a partial scholarship worth less than $300, and he took it. 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. ", "I will always be thankful to Mr. Richardson for providing me with the opportunity to play for the Panthers. Jerry Richardsons contributions to professional football in the Carolinas are historic, current Panthers owner David Tepper and his wife Nicole said in a statement. The report alleged that Richardson had committed numerous instances of workplace misconduct, including sexual harassment, uttering a racial slur and asking some of his female employees if he could personally shave their legs., The report, which was substantiated by the NFLs ensuing probe, revealed that at least four former Panthers employees had received significant financial settlements from Richardson following his inappropriate behavior in exchange for what amounted to a vow of silence. It also noted that Fridays were Jeans Day at the Panthers offices, and that became fodder for many inappropriate comments by Richardson. "Jerry Richardson's contributions to professional football in the Carolinas are historic," Panthers owners David and Nicole Tepper said in a statement. He attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he was a star tight end, and still holds the school's single-game record for receiving yards (241 against Newberry College in 1956). Richardson then accompanied the Olsens to Boston for a medical consultation. As with other captains of industry, Richardson's name adorns a number of buildings throughout the two states, but few places carry it as proudly as his alma mater. 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. The Panthers were the first team to employ the concept, and the influx of cash was crucial to privately financing what was then known as Carolinas Stadium. Jansen Panettieres cause of death revealed by Hayden Panettiere and his family. 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. Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. The Carolina Panthers founder and former owner died on March 1, 2023. 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. 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. Richardson began the process of building a football team in July of 1987, when he met with former Bank of America CEO and Charlotte icon Hugh McColl to discuss his dream of bringing the sport to his home state. He has authored or co-authored eight books, including four about the Carolina Panthers. When he owned the team, Richardson would often refer back to the lessons learned selling hamburgers. A PSL would cost anywhere from $600 to $5400 per ticket and could later be re-sold or handed down in the right-holders will. "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. By then, the Panthers were playing their ninth NFL season. One former female employee recalled Richardson arriving barefoot and asking for a foot massage.. "I never thought about not getting a franchise," Richardson said, expressing his trademark confidence. He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful. Richardsons bid for an NFL team had to at first beat out a competing bid for a Charlotte team from Shinn. I said, Yes sir, it did. He said, thats a good thing everything will be OK. And then he hung up the phone.. After a bad first half, Richardson caught several passes in the second half from Johnny Unitas and made the team. In 2009, he had a successful heart transplant at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Two months after going on the donor waiting list, Richardson, then 72, received his transplant on Super Bowl Sunday in 2009 during a five-hour procedure at Carolinas Medical Center. He sold the team to Tepper, a hedge fund owner, in May 2018 for a then-NFL record $2.27 billion. He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful. He was 86.. 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. "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. We are saddened to hear about the passing of former owner Jerry Richardson. His father was a barber. RIP Mr. Richardson pic.twitter.com/o27b6O5Czt. "No one has done more for Wofford students. Muhleman noted the drive that Richardson exhibited in his relentless pursuit of making Carolina the NFLs 29th franchise. 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. I will always be grateful to him for the opportunity to coach the Carolina Panthers & for his patient, steadfast leadership during 7 seasons. In February 2021, Richardson made a $150 million gift to Wofford, pushing his personal contributions to the school to over a quarter of a billion dollars. 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. 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. He was 86.. Jerry Richardson got his heart transplanted in the year 2009. He has given considerable gifts to . He was 86. In 2000, wide receiver Rae Carruth, the teams first-round draft pick in 1997, was convicted on a murder conspiracy charge in connection with the drive-by shooting death of his pregnant girlfriend. Jerry Richardson Age, Wiki, Biography Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! The former president of the Panthers stadium was their son Jon Richardson. All about former Carolina Panthers owners, net worth, statue, scandals and more, What is enlarged heart? Cleveland Browns vs New Orleans Saints weather report: What is the temperature at FirstEnergy stadium? Richardson founded the. To see what the Panthers are today, that's truly a testament to his vision.". Before that, Richardson was revered for bringing the Panthers to the NFL in 1995 and helping the team reach Super Bowls after the 2003 and 2015 seasons. Condolences to Rosalind, Ashley, & Mark and the Richardson family.. I've been told a lot of things.". Richardson was born in Spring Hope, North Carolina, in 1936. Too grueling. It didnt go well for Hornets, Galen Youngs family upset after the woman who caused his death gets no prison time, At age 72, Dom Capers looks back and forward as he rejoins the Carolina Panthers, An astonishing legacy: Steve Joyner has coached basketball for 45 years at J.C. Smith, An island of misfit toys: Reich and original Panthers had unforgettable year in 1995, Sources: Former Panthers coach Matt Rhule seeks $5 million from team in arbitration suit, Panthers founder, former owner Jerry Richardson leaves behind a complicated legacy, Carolina Panthers founder and former owner Jerry Richardson dies at 86, A controversial history: Timeline of Jerry Richardsons life, career and team ownership, Panthers great Greg Olsen named his son after late team owner Jerry Richardson, Social media recounts Jerry Richardsons Panthers legacy the good and the bad, Former Panthers coach, players react to Panthers founder Jerry Richardsons death, From the archives: Carolinas NFL dream comes true. But the workplace misconduct scandal changed that timetable, and Richardson spent the last five years of his life without owning the team that had defined a large part of his business career. We got love from a man that was my employer, my boss, not a close personal friend at the time, Olsen said. The team reached the Super Bowl in the 2003 and 2015 seasons, but lost both times. The concept was simple cheap hamburgers, served to the masses and wildly successful. The family moved to Fayetteville when Richardson was in elementary school. 2005 NFC Wild Card Playoff Game - Carolina Panthers vs New York Giants - January 8, 2006 Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey United States January 8, 2006 Photo by Ralph Waclawicz/WireImage.com, To license this image (6995493), contact WireImage: +1 212-686-8900 (tel) +1 212-686-8901 (fax) info@wireimage.com (e-mail) www.wireimage.com (web site), CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 28: Owner Jerry Richardson of the Carolina Panthers looks on before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 13, 2004 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Richardson was . 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. 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. There, he began creating the emphasis on customer service that would carry over into his stewardship of his football team. 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. Richardson served on several high-level owners committees, playing a key role in labor negotiations with the players' union. '', We are saddened to hear about the passing of former owner Jerry Richardson. After he had a heart transplant in Charlotte in 2009, Richardson lived for 14 more years. Sign up for the Panthers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Richardsons catch came in the horseshoe end of Memorial Stadium, where the rowdier Colts fans congregated. https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2023/03/02/panthers-owner-david-tepper-jerry-richardson/, Report: Panthers free agent RB D'Onta Foreman expected to be 'hot commodity', Panthers legend Steve Smith Sr. officially opens mental health facility, Panthers OC Thomas Brown receives praise from 2023 NFL draft prospect, Will Levis: Breaking down film with Frank Reich, Panthers was fun, Panthers great Cam Newton honors late Jerry Richardson, Report: Panthers will not use franchise tag this offseason, Former Panthers react to passing of team founder Jerry Richardson, Report: Panthers inquire about trade for Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, Biggest takeaways from the Panthers' combine media availability, 1 player Panthers fans should watch for each day of the combine, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. He was 86. After growing up in the Fayetteville area, Richardson went to Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C.; where he excelled in football and laid the groundwork for a business empire that would allow him to return to the game he once walked away from. The Richardsonslived in North Carolina their entire lives. 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. But I was a player on his team who needed help and he was able to provide it. That would serve as the seed money for a hugely successful fast-food franchise that would lead to Richardson bringing an NFL franchise to the Carolinas. During the year in which Richardson waited for and later recovered from his heart transplants, his two sons led the organization. Richardson never addressed the allegations against him publicly. He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful. In a two-sentence statement at the time that didnt explain the mysterious parting, Richardson cited the great contributions his sons had made, but expressed confidence in the remaining members of the leadership team. All the other competitors at the time St. Louis, Baltimore, Jacksonville and Memphis had in place a rent-free stadium to be paid for by public funds. Fox said from the NFL combine in Indianapolis. The family is planning a private funeral service. And during Richardson's tenure as owner he always made sure the NFL logo instead of his team's was at midfield of Bank of America Stadium. Richardson took that playoff bonus money and invested it into the restaurant business. Together they have three children and their names are Ashley Richardson Allen, Mark, and Jon. 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. Three months later, running back Fred Lane, who had just been traded to Indianapolis, was shot and killed by his wife in their Charlotte home. 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. That got Richardson seriously thinking about trying to bring an NFL team to Charlotte. The entire family lives in Charlotte. That team went 15-1 in the regular season but would eventually lose to Denver in the Super Bowl, 24-10, as the championship Richardson wanted the most barely eluded him again. "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. 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. ''I'm literally at a loss of words. With the news also came a statement from current owner David Tepper and wife . Rest up my friend!''. In the year 2002, he received the heart trouble and had . Sister-in-law never calls her late husbands sister and is dismissive of her grief. Jerry Richardson, Panthers founder and former owner, dies at 86, Jaxon Smith-Njigba wants to re-create connection with Bears QB Justin Fields, NFL Scouting Combine shifts mock draft, but Bears needs unchanged, QBs in NFL Draft in haze as Bears play poker with No. Mr. Richardson claims that Wofford has had the biggest impact on his achievement in life, with no other influence coming close. Carruth was imprisoned for 16 years. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. He also had a policy where fans couldnt remove their shirts during games. We wish them much peace and comfort.. March 2, 2023 / 5:16 PM / AP. "Mr. Richardson taught me so many life lessons over the years and I will forever be grateful for the friendship and the bond that we had. "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. Catch up on the developing stories making headlines. One of our dear friends said, God does not give out hearts lightly, Rosalind Richardson told The Observer two weeks after the surgery. Richardson said in 2018 his greatest mission in life was bringing the NFL to the Carolinas. 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. 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. A lot of times people get to some level and they dont like to take a risk, he said. 5:26 PM on Mar 2, 2023 CST. "The Carolina Panthers are a testament to his extraordinary and tireless dedication to the community.
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