Coach Jack

[Mr. Scot]

Coach Jack Bolton’s Davidson bedroom is furnished in Early Panther. So is Coach Jack.

He wears a visor crammed with the autographs of Carolina Panthers players. He carries on his lap two colorful canoe-like Cam Newton cleats that Newton signed. Across the No. 1 Newton jersey Coach Jack wears is the signature of former Panther Steve Smith.

What do you like about the Panthers?

“I like that everyone there is doing their best and they’re all super nice,” Coach Jack says.

Did you ever give up this season?

“No!” Coach Jack says with rare emotion.

Not even when they lost six straight?

“No!” he says.

 

Coach Jack can prove it. Before the Panthers began their current four-game winning streak he sent his Carolina counterpart, coach Ron Rivera, a letter: “I’m still watching you, your fans are still watching you and everybody still thinks you can win.”

If you’re an adult, with an adult’s sensibilities if not an adult’s cynicism, you did not expect the Panthers to make the playoffs. They not only lost six straight but they also looked terrible doing it.

Yet they did make the playoffs. They play the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium.

If you’re a 10-year-old, and in ways warm and wonderful are a part of the Panthers like Coach Jack, you never had a doubt. They’re 3-0 in games he attended, beating Detroit, Chicago and Cleveland.

 

When he was in first grade at Davidson Elementary, he would diagram plays for his classmates to run at recess. He used Xs and Os and arrows. He learned them watching Carolina on TV and by playing Madden video games.

Coach Jack was introduced to the Panthers in a meeting before 2013 Fan Fest. He was somehow confident. He was confident enough to deny tackle Jordan Gross’ request to take a veteran’s day off, and calmly told the players he’d be watching.

I wrote about Coach Jack before the playoff loss to San Francisco last season. The Panthers had invited Jack and his dad, John, to join them at practice. John often signed Coach Jack out of school by writing “Doctor.” That day, he wrote “Panthers.”

 

Coach Jack’s theme was I’m Watching You. He created a poster with the message and brought it to a home game last season against New Orleans and a road game against Atlanta, both of which Carolina won.

He gave the poster to Rivera. Rivera had it framed and hung it above the door that leads from the weight room to the locker room.

Players walk the route almost daily. Glance up and there it is. Rivera could have framed his own words there or plucked an inspirational quote from a name players would recognize. He chose a poster by a then-9-year-old.

“This community does a lot for us,” says Rivera. “We want to do a lot for the community.”

 

The Panthers worked with three Make-A-Wish Foundation kids this season. Ashley Aikin, 17, from outside Orlando, served as a Carolina athletic trainer.

George Gring, 7, of Houston wanted a pro experience and was given a locker next to Newton. Newton insisted that the locker remain George’s and it still is.

Andy Giarla, from Monroe Parkwood High, was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer. He asked for the Panthers experience for him and three of his best friends. Giarla underwent surgery to remove a large tumor from the base of his skull and played football for the Rebels this season.

“We’re the go-to team for Make-A-Wish, and that’s an honor for us,” Rivera says.

 

“There’s always downs,” Coach Jack says. “But after that, there has to be up.”

 

Coach Jack keeps Panthers on track

[Ricky Spanish]

Someone in the office is cutting onions... 

[Mol3m4n]

It's just water that I accidentally splashed on my face.

[VerticalThreat]

Coach Jack keeps Panthers on track

Yeah, must be my new cologne or allergies.

All seriousness though, I love our fans. People talk about us not having history and all but we have the same factions of fans that other teams do and this is proof. This team and community have a family-type love. We can talk about them, but no one else can. The players feel it, the coaches feel it, and the fans feel it. It's Panther Nation and we KEEP POUNDING.

See you all Saturday.

[GRWatcher]

What an inspiring kid. To have SMA and remain an optimist is amazing. Truly inspiring for not just the players but us fans also. So when Cam does his Superman dance or first down motion, don't complain, don't tell him to "grow up." Know that he's doing it for all the kids like Coach Jack that can't do it.

 

Wait. I have to go pick up the Kleenex that just fell out of the Kleenex box now. Silly thing.

[Mr. Scot]

Lotta people suddenly have eye issues.

[bigskypanthersguy]

Dammit Jim, I'm a doctor....my feels can only take so much.

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

[xerxes]

3-0? We need to get this kid and SCP's helmet together. We'd be unstoppable.

[bigdog10]

That last quote about the ups and downs is awesome.

Inspiring and wise words from someone so young.