During the year in which Richardson waited for and later recovered from his heart transplants, his two sons led the organization. Richardsons tenure was marred by off-field issues. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Jerry Richardson, a former NFL owner, is survived by his wife Rosalind Sallenger Richardson. The heart donor has never been identified. It ultimately took eight years from Richardson beginning the effort to the Panthers actually beginning play. Wofford offered Richardson a partial scholarship worth less than $300, and he took it. Ive always told him he came into the world with a streak of lightning.. No cause was given for Richardson's death. They have three children. The financing plan got an enormous boost, however, due to the permanent-seat license (PSL) concept created by public relations guru Muhleman (who had also helped birth the Hornets). Richardson beat long odds to earn the right to land a franchise. But Richardsons reputation took a tremendous hit when he announced he was selling the Panthers on Dec. 17, 2017 the same day Sports Illustrated reported that four former Panthers employees received significant monetary settlements due to inappropriate sexually suggestive language and actions by Richardson. 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. "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. The stadium was named "Jerry Richardson Stadium" after his donation of $10 Million. Richardson was well liked by his players. Richardson died peacefully Wednesday night at his Charlotte home, the team said in a statement. He used his championship bonus money to open the first Hardee's in Spartanburg, South Carolina close to where he had attended Wofford College. But when you get to some of them, the word moves fast to the rest of them.. Heather ODonnell of the Chicago social services agency Thresholds says the money is an opportunity to really build up substance use care.. Richardson had a pacemaker/defibrillator inserted in his heart in 2008, and doctors told him he would need a heart transplant. He also had a policy where fans weren't allowed to remove their shirts during games. 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. The NFL would independently investigate and substantiate many of the allegations raised by the magazine article while also uncovering similar matters that have not been the subject of public discussion, according to a 2018 NFL press release. Jerome "Jerry" Richardson, the founding owner of the Carolina Panthers franchise, passed away on Wednesday night at his Charlotte home at the age of 86. Jon, Mark, and Ashley Richardson Allen are her three children. "The NFL community is deeply saddened by the passing of Jerry Richardson. Richardson was . Richardson became the first former NFL player to own a team since the Bears George Halas when he landed the expansion Panthers in 1993. It was a miracle. It was also reported he used a racial slur directed toward a team scout. A bypass surgery in 2002 was just the beginning, and after years of treatments and other procedures, he received a heart transplant on Feb. 2, 2009, at Carolinas Medical Center. We wouldnt go into this if I didnt think we could do it, Richardson said at a Charlotte news conference on Dec. 15, 1987, when he officially announced his bid for an NFL expansion franchise. Though, he is 1.91 m tall, he weighs about 84 kg. I have the ultimate American dream, it couldnt be better for me. Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. Richardson never addressed the allegations against him publicly. Even in his later years, Richardsons posture showcased what Muhleman called a flawless vertical carriage that made him the tallest 6-foot-3 on the planet.. I will always be grateful to him for the opportunity to coach the Carolina Panthers & for his patient, steadfast leadership during 7 seasons. He and Bradshaw Richardsons former quarterback at Wofford opened their first Hardees restaurant in 1961 in Spartanburg. The team reached the Super Bowl in the 2003 and 2015 seasons, but lost both times. We are saddened to hear about the passing of former owner Jerry Richardson, the Panthers said via Twitter on Thursday afternoon. He was fined $2.75 million by the NFL after an extensive investigation into the allegations following a story by Sports Illustrated in which four former employees anonymously stated they reached a financial settlement with Richardson in exchange for silence. It was widely assumed Richardson would hold onto the team until his death. He was 86. We wish them much peace and comfort.". 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. "I never thought about not getting a franchise," Richardson said, expressing his trademark confidence. Richardson had 241 yards receiving in a game against Newberry in 1956, and he was named an Associated Press Little All-American in 57 and 58. Lawmakers and others should not seek to undo laws meant to protect people from gun violence. Once a fixture at tailgate parties with random Panthers fans before home games he liked to show up unannounced via golf cart Richardson was rarely seen in public in his final years. An only child, Richardson had a modest upbringing. Photos: Carolina Panthers founder, former owner Jerry Richardson over the years, Support my work with a digital subscription, A nervous Kevin Durant debuts for Phoenix in Charlotte. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! He calls and says, Jake, the sun came out today at my house, did it come out at yours?, Delhomme said Thursday. The Carolina Panthers founder and former owner died on March 1, 2023. Mar 02, 2023 at 01:47 PM. He was later released. Former Panthers general manager Marty Hurney worked under Richardson from 2002-12 and then returned to the team in 2017 and worked four more years. $2 Billion. Jerome J. Richardson was born July 18, 1936, in Spring Hope, N.C., the first step in a journey that would transform the Carolinas. 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. Richardson never addressed the allegations against him publicly. Jon Richardson died of cancer in 2013. Nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild are also included in their family. He died at his home in Charlotte on Wednesday night, the team said in a statement Thursday. '', We are saddened to hear about the passing of former owner Jerry Richardson. Muhleman noted the drive that Richardson exhibited in his relentless pursuit of making Carolina the NFLs 29th franchise. Richardsons playing career lasted only two seasons when he walked away from the game at 25 following a dispute over $250. 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. The Ohio State product feels good about his ability as a passer and extending plays with his legs, but he's just as willing to put in the work to grow at the next level. Panthers founder Jerry Richardson dies at 86, Jones: Not fixated on Cowboys' drought, just '23, Sources: Raiders plan franchise tag for Jacobs, WR Addison to Steelers' Pickett: 'Come get me', Wolverines' Turner wows with 4.26 40 at combine, Top QB prospect Levis eager to unleash 'cannon', QB Bennett addresses off-field issues at combine, Campbell: Lamar wants deal done with Ravens, Alabama QB Young undeterred by size questions, The future of the NFL combine: Is there really a chance it could end forever? Richardson was born in Spring Hope, North Carolina, in 1936. Sources have told The Observer it will never return to the stadium. The following month the NFL fined Richardson $2.75 million for alleged workplace misconduct. While Richardson seldom held press conferences even during the early seasons of the Panthers franchise, his public appearances became far less frequent in his later years. Jerry Richardson family: Who are wife Rosalind Sallenger Richardson and children Ashley, Jon and Mark? Within hours of the report, Richardson announced his decision to sell the team. On Thursday afternoon, the Carolina Panthers announced the passing of team founder and former owner Jerry Richardson. 2 days ago His other son, Jon, died in 2013 at age 53 after a lengthy battle with cancer. 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. He and I spent a tremendous amount of time talking about his vision for what the Panthers could do for the Carolinas. We wish them much peace and comfort.". "I will always be grateful to him for the opportunity to coach the Carolina Panthers & for his patient, steadfast leadership during 7 seasons," Rivera said on social media. It has never returned. "Condolences to Rosalind, Ashley, & Mark and the Richardson family.''. 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. That allegiance to the league and his status within it also made him one of the lead voices for owners in the 2010 labor negotiations, in which he famously and sometimes profanely clashed with players across the table including Peyton Manning. It was expected at the time one of the boys might inherit the team, but that never happened. Please check your email for a confirmation. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? With the arrival of the Panthers in 1995, he changed the landscape of sports in the region and gave NFL fans here a team to call their own. He married Rosalind Sallenger Richardson. But his league-first attitude as seen through his leadership of numerous NFL committees 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. 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 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. Who was Jerry Richardson? 5:26 PM on Mar 2, 2023 CST. 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. Richardson called Archie Manning, Peytons father, to clear the air and believed the situation was overblown. "Jerry Richardson's contributions to professional football in the Carolina's are historic,'' current owners David and Nicole Tepper said in a statement. Chad Reuter provides a stock report from Indianapolis. Together they have three children and their names are Ashley Richardson Allen, Mark, and Jon. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Im 58 years old, and I dont hunt, I dont fish, and I dont play golf. Ralph Waclawicz/Call (212) 686-8900 or e-mail info@wireimage.com to license WireImage images. 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. Florida. When I went through my injuries and everyone told him it was time to move on and turn the page he said no. Head coach Frank Reich and general manager Scott Fitterer plan on speaking with the veteran quarterback again next week after Tuesday's meeting in Indianapolis. . Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. 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. Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson is a former NFL player who turned a $4744 championship bonus into a billion dollar fast food fortune. A family spokesman said Thursday that Richardson died peacefully last night at his Charlotte home.. "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. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Catch up on the developing stories making headlines. . "On the NFL's behalf, I extend our sincere condolences to Jerry's wife, Rosalind, and their family.". 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. "Jerry Richardson brought NFL football to the Carolinas!'' But Richardson's reputation took a tremendous hit when he announced he was selling the Panthers on Dec. 17, 2017, -- the same day Sports Illustrated reported that four former Panthers employees received significant monetary settlements due to inappropriate sexually suggestive language and actions by Richardson. You cant get to all 2,000 of them, he said then of the companys restaurants. Former Pro Bowl linebacker Thomas Davis, who played for Carolina from 2005 to 2018, summed up what many players thought of Richardson with this post on Instagram. Richardson, after numerous accusations of workplace misconduct, sold the Panthers to Tepper back in 2018. Using his championship game bonus as seed money, he opened his first Hardee's restaurant in Spartanburg. CHARLOTTE, N.C 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 team . The lack of consistency was a source of irritation for 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. Delhomme recalls getting a phone call from Richardson a couple of days after he had a disastrous four-turnover performance in a 33-13 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs in the 2008 season. Richardsons catch came in the horseshoe end of Memorial Stadium, where the rowdier Colts fans congregated. That kind of attention to detail was not unlike his days as owner of the Panthers, in which he'd approve particulars of landscaping plans (native plants from each state on the north and south sides of the stadium to represent the two Carolinas) and the paint job on the field. After a bad first half, Richardson caught several passes in the second half from Johnny Unitas and made the team. Richardson took a lower public profile in later years as his gait and speech slowed he went nine years between press conferences at one point. He used his championship bonus money to open the first Hardees in Spartanburg, South Carolina close to where he had attended Wofford College. Jerry Richardson, the founder of the American football team Carolina Panthers, has died at the age of 86. Then, in his rolling Southern. Mark Richardson was the team president and the heir apparent to his father, while the more laid-back Jon Richardson oversaw the stadium during its construction and operation. Although Richardson once promised the Panthers would win a Super Bowl within 10 years of beginning play in 1995, they never did. He overcame prostate cancer and underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 2002. The Olsens honored Richardson by naming their son T.J., short for Trent Jerry. Richardson didnt play much for Baltimore. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images). I said, Yes sir, it did. He said, thats a good thing everything will be OK. And then he hung up the phone.. Jerry Richardson Wife, Children Richardson's marital status was married. Quarterback Jake Delhomme, who led the Panthers to their first Super Bowl in the 2003 season, said Richardson was well respected in the locker room and great to me and every player who played for him.. We wish them much peace and comfort.. He was 86. He made his private plane available to tight end Greg Olsen before Olsens wife delivered a son who was born with a congenital heart defect. A 13-foot, 4500-pound statue of Richardson, given to him by his ownership partners in 2016 and placed outside Bank of America Stadium, was removed in June 2020 by the Panthers.