Richardson Stops By Training Camp

[Panther4Ever]

Darin Gantt - The Herald

Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson dropped by practice this morning, addressing the team as a whole for the first time since his heart transplant surgery.

Richardson had been at a summer school practice earlier this year, and spoke with a few individual players. But Monday, after they stretched, he called them up for more than five minutes, and had defensive end Julius Peppers to come stand with him in the middle of the large huddle.

Richardson's lost about 45 pounds since his surgery, which began the night of the Super Bowl. He looked more like a receiver than a tight end Monday, and rode around practice on his personal golf cart.

He was accompanied by former Panthers defensive end Mike Rucker, who drove him down to Wofford College for the visit.

Check back for updates and visit Darin Gantt's blog here for more news following a day off from camp.

http://www.heraldonline.com/120/story/1527211.html

[Khyber53]

That's great to hear! It's also cool that Mike Rucker drove him down to the camp.

[SMACKDAB]

Rucker was there last Wednesday as well. Even signed a few autographs.

:cheers2:

[2jakefansinva]

Sounds great! Hang in there Big Cat, you da man.

[Panthers_Lover]

It was great to see him there.

[KintnerBoy]

Good! Been hearing that the intensity and fire has been lacking in TC so maybe this will help get the players motivated.

[Kingpatecu]

I was at TC on Friday and I was really hoping to see Jerry there, glad to see that he's able to make that trip and sounds as if everything is going well for him.

[bleys]

Anyone know what was said? I'm very curious, and also somewhat because he had Pep stand next to him...

[mantal]

Anyone know what was said? I'm very curious, and also somewhat because he had Pep stand next to him...

If he was smart he said that he screwed up the other year asking him to be a vocal leader of the team instead of a play by an example player. That would have felicitated the laughter heard by the comment. Was probably just a pep talk and he'll probably have another one before the season opens, but that was kinda out there and good for him to dispel it, if that's what it was...

[bleys]

well, I'm sure it was a pep talk... no pun intended.. just curious of what he said for a number of reasons.. 1 of which had to do with it being his 1st time talking to the team after the transplant and also the guy next to him. curious how he took that angle with Pep since the last time failed miserably...