Black and Blue Review
When players miss a chunk of time during the season with an injury, they’re often inaccessible. But that wasn’t the case with Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert, who was often available to the media even while he missed eight weeks this year with a hairline fracture below his knee. That’s just one of the reasons the Carolinas chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America selected Tolbert as the 2014 recipient of the Tom Berry Good Guy Award.
Berry, who passed away at the start of the 2009 season, was a longtime columnist and Panthers beat writer for the High Point Enterprise. The award is presented annually to the Panthers player who was most helpful to the media.
Past winners include tight end Greg Olsen (2013), linebacker James Anderson (2012), cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (2011), left tackle Jordan Gross (2010) and fullback Brad Hoover (2009).
Since he came to Carolina in 2012, Tolbert has been pleasant, engaging and accommodating during open locker room periods, and his cooperation has helped the media act as a conduit to Panthers fans.
Director of Communications Charlie Dayton has been one of the Panthers’ backbones from day one. After 20 years, he’s moving into a new role within the organization.
Dayton will become the team’s Director of Historical and Alumni Affairs on Jan. 1. He’ll work on special projects involving team history, and he’ll oversee alumni relations and initiatives with former Panthers players.
“My deep appreciation goes to Mr. Richardson for allowing me to serve our great franchise through all of these years and this opportunity going forward,” Dayton wrote in an email to Panthers media members Friday night.
Thanks for everything Mr. Charlie Dayton of the @Panthers! I wish you the best in your new position!
— Cameron Newton (@CameronNewton) December 19, 2014
@billvoth @cldayton Love that my team is finally old enough to need somebody to manage "historical" details. Congrats Mr Dayton!
— SalesMan (@95KeepPounding) December 19, 2014
Before coming to Carolina, Dayton worked in communications for three other teams. He was the Assistant Director of Public Relations during the Bucs’ first season in 1976. He was also with the Falcons, and from 1988-89, he and former Panthers general manager Marty Hurney worked together with the Redskins.
“Charlie was maybe the only guy I know who got more nervous than I did on game day,” Hurney said. “He is a true pro and a terrific person. He understands what the business is all about, and I learned a lot from him.”
“The PR job is one of the hardest jobs in the League. You’re getting it from all directions – dealing with owners, GMs, coaches, the media – and trying to bring them all together. He was as good at it as anyone in the League.”
The Panthers promoted Steven Drummond into Dayton’s role. After joining the organization in 2005, Drummond has been the Assistant Director of Communications since 2011.