Behind the Scenes: Mark Richardson on Founding the Carolina Panthers

Mark Richardson, former Clemson Tiger football player and part of the 1981 national championship team, discusses his involvement in bringing the Carolina Panthers to the NFL as the co-founder and co-owner. He shared insights about the challenges and successes of establishing the Panthers, the process of selecting the team's name and logo, and the early days of the franchise. Additionally, Richardson reflected on his time at Clemson and the significance of the Panthers' return to Memorial Stadium for Fan Fest.

The Carolina Panthers annual Fan Fest will head back to Clemson, where the Panthers' first season was held in honor of the team’s 30th season.

Key Points:

• Mark Richardson, a former Clemson football player and 1981 national champion, helped bring the Carolina Panthers to the NFL.
• The Panthers joined the NFL in 1995 along with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
• Richardson shared memories of playing at Clemson and the Panthers' logistical challenges during their first season.
• Reflecting on Clemson's football program, Richardson expressed pride in the team's success and the development of its players under Coach Dabo Swinney.