Where In the World Are Panthers Fans?

Bill VothBBR This Morning, News71 Comments

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S ince the Panthers are one of the younger organizations in the NFL, they don’t yet have a national reach like others that have been around for many more decades. Yet there are pockets of Carolina fans not only across the U.S., but around the world as well.

We stopped by one of those outposts in Denver this weekend – Shelby’s Bar & Grille – the headquarters for the Mile High Cats.

Unfortunately, Shelby’s is closed on non-gameday Sundays, so we had to settle for the pictures above and a video of the exterior:

It got us thinking about where else Panthers fans are. We have plans for an upcoming post with fans from Spain and England, but perhaps it’d be a good idea to organize everyone. So let’s try.

If you’re a Panthers fan who lives outside the Carolinas, we want to hear your story.

Is there a spot you gather with other Panthers fans or are you holding down the fort somewhere by yourself?

At the risk of sounding too much like the NSA, at minimum, we’d love to know where in the world you are. Depending on the number of responses, there’s a bunch of cool things we can do with the data.

If you’re interesting in sharing, here are some options:

  1. Tweet us.
  2. Reply down in the comments section.
  3. Fill out the email form below.

Your Name

Your Email

Your Message

BBR NUGGETS

  • Ron Rivera and the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte teamed up for a Bowl-A-Palooza Saturday. – 1) Instagram 2) Instagram 3) Twitter
  • Rivera’s rookie card is pretty cool. And it’s affordable if you’re an interested fan or collector. – eBay
  • Brandon LaFell takes a shot, or no? – ProFootballTalk
  • Travelle Wharton held his football camp this weekend. – GreenvilleOnline
  • So did Derek Anderson - KPTV
  • Roman Harper: “It really felt good to be recruited.” – MontgomeryAdvertiser

COMING UP 

A handful of Panthers will take batting practice before Monday’s Charlotte Knights game. We’ll let you know who, if any, are able to knock it out of the new BB&T Ballpark.



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Bill VothWhere In the World Are Panthers Fans?
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GhostSpider
GhostSpider

I moved from Charlotte to northern Ohio in 1986 in my early 30s.  That was the beginning of the Bernie Kosar heyday with the Browns....and getting their hearts broken by the Broncos in the AFC championships.  The Drive, The Fumble, I went all in the Browns.  It was easy because I didn't grow up with a favorite NFL team, I just hated the Redskins because they were on TV every week and made me miss the games I wanted to watch.  


Fast forward to 1995...the Browns left Cleveland for Baltimore.  By the time a new team returned in 1999, my hometown had a new team, the Panthers, and they were pretty successful right away.  I moved to Los Angeles in 1999 as a Panther fan and the new Browns came back to Cleveland while I was gone.  By the time I moved back to Cleveland in 2009, I was an established Panthers fan and although I keep up with the new Browns (it is impossible not to in CLE), I am a true Panthers fan.  Not many Panthers fans to hang out with in Cleveland however.

allimelius
allimelius

Just wonder if you got my message and picture I sent it on the email link?

My name is Allison Melius

piversen
piversen

Bit of a long story...was heading to myrtle to play some golf....had never been to an NFL game so decided to fly in and out of Charlotte and stay over Sunday. Googled Panthers tailgating....was welcomed by Marc Stanton and the Pantherfanz....a great bunch of people. Their site is www.pantherfanz.net....that's us on the home page. Have been returning ever since....made the playoff game a few years ago(ugghh) and a road game in Buffalo. Here's ma few pics from last year....have tons.  That's Danny Morrison...I tell him each year I still have my 6.4 40 speed if they need me. Peter

piversen
piversen

Bit of a long story....was heading to myrtle to play some golf...never been to an NFL game so decided to fly in and out of Charlotte...stay over Sunday.  Googled Panthers Tailgating...was welcomed by a great bunch...www.pantherfanz.net is their site....thats us on the homepage. A couple pics for you....have tons....these are 2013...that's Danny Morrison....he comes to see us each year....I tell him each visit that I still have my 6.5 second 40 speed if he needs me.....cheers

PanthersSpain
PanthersSpain

Hey Bill, glad to see you'll finally write about fans around the world.

As you know, I'm a Spanish fan living in Madrid and in Moraleja de Enmedio (little village near Madrid) and running @PanthersSpain in twitter.


First time I saw a football game was back in 2005 playoffs, when I was only 13. Here in Spain football isn't very popular (not even in top 10 sports), so honestly I had no idea about that sport, but for some reason I liked how Panthers played and I rooted for them.

As football is not extended, you can only watch 2 games per week in a private channel, so I was lucky I found football on playoffs.


Although I enjoyed all of that games, it wasn't until 2010 and the 2-14 season I remembered football and watched it again. I remembered I was a Panthers fan and decided to keep that, even with Jimmy.


Now I'm totally in love with football, I usually see 3-4 games/week during the season (one of them always Carolina. Game pass save my life), and I've even started a football team with some people I didn't know before. We are still playing flag, but our goal is playing football (keep in mind in LNFA, National Spanish football league there are 6 teams in Serie A, and 14 teams in Serie B, but is growing). Free advertising, we are Madrid Centurions (@CensOficial)


When I started watching football regularly, my father decided he was a 49ers fan (in his young days, Montana was probably the only player he heard about), so last year was a funny year at home.


If needed, my name is Iker Galietero, and my personal twitter account is @Ikererk

Sorry for my english, not my native language but I try my best. Let me know if you need something else.

Thanks for writing this article connecting fans worldwide. 


PS: I attached a picture of me.





alc6063
alc6063

Here is a clip from the Mile High Cats at Shelby's on game day.  Come back by sometime.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov8EZB8fz8M 

pattipanther
pattipanther

I live n Oakwood, Ga...just down the road from Falcon's complex n Flowery Branch. Am originally from Charlotte and die hard fan since we won the bid for a team. I love sporting my jerseys, have Panther's flag in yard and symbols on car all n enemy territory....lol...altho there are quite a bit of Panther's fans around here. I loved the Atlanta game last season at the Dome...I was there and helped take it over! My kids and I go to Spartanburg every year and try to get to game n Charlotte ...or go watch w the family still there. I love Charlotte.. will always be home.

Ericmaiorino
Ericmaiorino

I'm from Montreal, Canada. I've been the lone panthers fan I know for quite some time surrounded by steelers, patriots and giants fans but I'm holding my fort alone ! I'm flying down to caroina this year with one of my steelers buddies on september 21st to catch the game ! I've only seen the panthers twice but never in charlotte so I'm pretty excited to see bank of america stadium in person for the first time !! Go panthers from MTL ! Keep Pounding !!

jwex520
jwex520

I live in Austin, TX. I moved here after becoming a Panthers fan while living in Raleigh from 2006-2010. I had DirecTV every season up until this one, so I had to watch most of the games in a Saints bar (brutal). I'm going to college next year at Texas A&M, so I'm hoping to find a place to watch the games, and maybe even some Panthers fans to watch with. I have never really met another die hard Panthers fan in person, even when I lived in Raleigh there wasn't a great following. No matter where I travel though, one thing will remain: me watching Panthers games on Sunday afternoons.

bayareapanther
bayareapanther

Check us out at Facebook fan page .... representing the entire Bay area, California. We get together for games so come join us.

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bay-Area-Carolina-Panthers-Fans/170124049676823

SaskAngler
SaskAngler

I am one of a handful of NFL fans and currently the only Panthers fan that I know of in the Northern Village of Buffalo Narrows, Saskatchewan.  Football is gaining in popularity here, but the CFL is still more well known than the NFL, so I throw on my jersey and represent the Panthers every Sunday in the fall.  My wife and I have our tickets for the Panthers vs Browns in December, and we're looking forward to cheering on the Panthers up close!



MakinuSweat
MakinuSweat

Big PANTHER Fan here in Arizona (recently moved here), don't know yet if any Panther fans around. Like others here moved around a lot so here are my list of places i have worn my Jersey too:

O'Fallon, IL (4 fans get together)

Cape Coral, Florida (3 fans)

Stuttgart, Germany. (Solo)

Doha, Qatar, (Solo)

Sarajevo, Bosnia (Solo)

Tampa, Florida, (3 fans)

San Fran, Cali. (2 fans)


Fan Since inception day, born in Raleigh, NC

Sergio Rdz
Sergio Rdz

I have been a Panthers Fan since the 1996 playoff game vs the Cowboys, i´m born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, in my childhood we only had on tv games from the Cowboys, Steelers and 49ers on tv, so i grew up watching the Cowboys, but that game was when i became a panthers fan.


As for were i watch the games, i have to buy Sunday Ticket because even with all these years, we still have the same issue that only the same teams are being broadcast on tv.


In Mexico we have a really, really small fan base, but hopefully with more season like the last one it will grow..

Xerogaki
Xerogaki

NC transplant living in Dubuque IA. Been repping the panthers since there inaugural year!!!! Wish there was a group out here to watch the games with..

wyoNCguy59
wyoNCguy59

PANTHERS fan in Cheyenne Wyoming 2 hours north of Denver, not many PANTHERS fans out here, so I usually sit at home by myself and watch the games on NFL Sunday ticket

kylerweller
kylerweller

I'm in Rapid City, SD. I generally watch the games at home with my wife since I don't actually know any other Panthers fans around here.

I met a Panthers player while on a youth group trip to Atlanta back in 2002. He was great, signed autographs and played games with about 150 kids.

So I started watching the Panthers the next season, just in time for their Super Bowl run.

PantherFaninMO
PantherFaninMO

In 2000, I moved to NC from Belgium. I learned to appreciate 'American' football, and became a Panthers' fan from day one. Currently living in the St Louis, MO area, but haven't found a Panthers' fort yet to get together on game days... if anyone know of one, please do tell.


billvoth
billvoth moderator

Thanks so much to those who have responded so far. Have gotten a bunch of good emails as well. A special shoutout to @davethepanther for his service and for what he has to do to catch a game. Sure puts complaining about Dick Stockon into perspective. 

PantherFaninGA
PantherFaninGA

Good stuff!  I'm in the ATL area - north of the city in Gwinnett County.  I was born in BAL in 1960, raised on Orioles baseball and the Colts.  When the Colts left town, I was left without a team.  We moved to CLT in 1973, so when the Panthers came into being, especially with a former Colt as an owner, it was a match made in heaven!


I make the trek to training camp at least once a year, and attend 2-3 home games with my wife in tow.  That gets expensive, so we've taken the home-theater approach and are the finishing stages of converting our bonus room to a sports theme, complete with a 96 inch screen, HD projector, and kick-ass powered seating.  As soon as the new paint cures, the Fatheads of Cam and Dwill go up, along with signed Panthers memorabilia and artifacts. 

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@PanthersSpain great - thanks so much!

PantherFaninGA
PantherFaninGA

@pattipanther Patti - I'm from CLT and lived in Flowery Branch until moving to Sugar Hill in 2011.  Get up that way a lot to see friends.  Would love to try and meet!

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@pattipanther Would you be willing to share your full name and perhaps a picture of you in Panthers gear or something else that shows your fandom?

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@Ericmaiorino Love Montreal! Would you be willing to share your full name and perhaps a picture of you in Panthers gear or something else that shows your fandom?

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@jwex520 you're actually the third person we've heard from today from Austin. Would you be willing to share your full name and perhaps a picture of you in Panthers gear or something else that shows your fandom?

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@bayareapanther awesome - thank you! the bay area's my favorite part of the country these days. would you be willing to share your full name and perhaps a picture of you in Panthers gear or something else that shows your fandom?

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@SaskAngler you'll be coming down here to warm up by then! would you be willing to share your full name and perhaps a picture of you in Panthers gear or something else that shows your fandom?

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@MakinuSweat wow, lots of places! which city are in you specifically right now? and would you be willing to share your full name and perhaps a picture of you in Panthers gear or something else that shows your fandom?

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@Sergio Rdz  Would you be willing to share your full name and perhaps a picture of you in Panthers gear or something else that shows your fandom?

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@Xerogaki  We may be able to find you a person or two. Would you be willing to share your full name and perhaps a picture of you in Panthers gear or something else that shows your fandom?

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@wyoNCguy59  Would you be willing to share your full name and perhaps a picture of you in Panthers gear or something else that shows your fandom?

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@kylerweller  Would you be willing to share your full name and perhaps a picture of you in Panthers gear or something else that shows your fandom?

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@PantherFaninMO certainly hoping to be able to connect folks like you with others once we get all this organized. would you be willing to share your full name and perhaps a picture of you in Panthers gear or something else that shows your fandom?

PantherFaninMO
PantherFaninMO

Oh... and hoping to make the trip to Cincinnati to see them against the Bengals this fall!

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@PantherFaninGA  Would you be willing to share your full name and perhaps a picture of you in Panthers gear or something else that shows your fandom?

pattipanther
pattipanther

That would be great! I have, I think read u on CSR too if that is you...so I would love to

Ericmaiorino
Ericmaiorino

No problem ! I tweeted you guys the same picture ! My full name is Eric Maiorino!

jwex520
jwex520

@billvoth @jwex520 Yeah sure. My name is Jake Wexler and this is what I look like every Sunday....

SaskAngler
SaskAngler

@billvoth @SaskAngler Yes- the day time high here was -25 last December 21st with a low of -42, so we will be ready for a break from the cold by then.  I would be happy to send you a picture of me showing my northern Panther pride!


Chris Turner

MakinuSweat
MakinuSweat

@billvoth @MakinuSweat  Sorry Bill, do to my work cant say exact location, but we will just say Southern AZ. I can send pics of my Jerseys and some when i was at KC game 2 years ago.

PantherFaninGA
PantherFaninGA

@billvoth @PantherFaninGA Even tho I know the NSA already knows who I am, I'd prefer not to share that with the whole world.  


BUT - here's my car.  This from a TC visit.  Talk about Rick Star parking!



PantherFaninGA
PantherFaninGA

@pattipanther That would be me as well.  So how do we do this?  You on Twitter?

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@Ericmaiorino thanks!

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@jwex520 thanks, jake!

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@bayareapanther fantastic - thanks! name?

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@SaskAngler that'd be great - you can just attach it to this chat by using the third icon from the bottom left in the chat box. 

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@MakinuSweat totally understand

billvoth
billvoth moderator

@PantherFaninGA haha ... thanks!

pattipanther
pattipanther

No I am not. Are you? sad to say but my daughter is tho...I'm lucky to be able to use my phone lol

bayareapanther
bayareapanther

Left to Right,


Chris Morgan, Barrie La'Ron Buey, Nanda Palaniappan