How is the support for the Panthers in the Carolinas changing?

[KillaCamNewton]

Be honest with me here. I havent lived in NC since 2002 and back then the state was still a majority of Redskin and Steeler fans. I remember it being a big deal to see someone at a grocery store in Winston-Salem wearing Panthers gear instead of another team. Going to every home game from 96-2001 I remember almost every game being split about 50-50 between Panther fans and the away team, and I went to the last game of the season in 04 against the Saints the year after the Super Bowl year and there still wasnt much buzz about the Panthers around the state.

That being said, just from watching on TV this year I can tell theres much more energy in BOA now and I can tell our fanbase has become much more passionate as a whole. My question for you natives is, have the Carolinas finally adopted the Panthers as "The" team of the region?

[Jangler]

One link at a time.

 

Booooooo! you chaned the title.

[nctarheel0619]

[csx]

The support is better because the team is better.  If the team was in a slump the energy and support would reflect that. IMO it's pretty much as simple as that.

[Hammerin'Cameron34]

The longer we stay winning the stronger the fan base truly grows, if we are good for a long while which we should be, even the band-wagoners will find it hard to get off after pulling for us for so long ..

[GRWatcher]

At least the checkout lady at Food Lion now knows we have an NFL team ........................

[MVPccaffrey]

I saw a guy outside of Sheetz wearing a Jstew jersey yesterday.  So that's something

[CarolinaSamurai]

17 minutes ago, Camvp said:

I saw a guy outside of Sheetz wearing a Jstew jersey yesterday.  So that's something

If stew slits sheets....something something toungue twister

[CarolinaXblue]

I agree that there are still a lot of people pulling for the Panthers because they're undefeated. If they were 1-6 it would be a different story. But as much as I hate bandwagoners, like someone said a few days ago, we have to embrace them because they are what's going to push it over the top. Definitely seeing more Panther fans then ever before though.

[SCP]

2 hours ago, KillaCamNewton said:

Be honest with me here. I havent lived in NC since 2002 and back then the state was still a majority of Redskin and Steeler fans. I remember it being a big deal to see someone at a grocery store in Winston-Salem wearing Panthers gear instead of another team. Going to every home game from 96-2001 I remember almost every game being split about 50-50 between Panther fans and the away team, and I went to the last game of the season in 04 against the Saints the year after the Super Bowl year and there still wasnt much buzz about the Panthers around the state.

That being said, just from watching on TV this year I can tell theres much more energy in BOA now and I can tell our fanbase has become much more passionate as a whole. My question for you natives is, have the Carolinas finally adopted the Panthers as "The" team of the region?

Unfortunately this Sunday will be about 40% Packer fans and it will be about 45% Skins fans in two weeks so it will look like old times.  That being said, the crowds are getting better and more consistently loud.  The Keep Pounding mantra is really taking hold and the chant is pretty cool.  There are still WAY too many fans that sell out and sell their tix to opposition though.

 

Please Panthers, I beg of you, lets shut the Packer fans up this Sunday.

[Servant of Cthululelei]

1 hour ago, csx said:

The support is better because the team is better.  If the team was in a slump the energy and support would reflect that. IMO it's pretty much as simple as that.

It's not actually.  The team is naturally getting more support over time, too. Because people like me (age 25) have grown up with the Panthers.  We now buy jerseys and tickets and reproduce.

The success obviously matters too, but it's not all bandwagoners in Panther nation anymore.

[Randolph Panther]

Good points made, I hate going to BOA when the fuging Steeler fans show up.  It wasnt as bad last year as it was in 2006.  

[MyrtleBeachPanther]

Try living in Myrtle Beach, South CAROLINA!!! It's inundated with Steelers, Eagles, Redskins and Giants fans and bars. We are hoping to change that shortly with Bully's Bar and Grill at Barefoot Landing stepping up to be the home bar for our local Roaring Riot chapter...still got some pounding to do to get a chapter established! We are making progress though! #keeppounding

[goodoleboy]

I have been a PSL holder since year 2. The crowd really isn't that much different than it has been whenever the team wins. 2003 saw some great crowds. The Cowboy playoff games were as loud as any of the recent high profile ones.

I remember a bar in Winston Salem opening the windows and turning off the heat when the 96 team played Green Bay in the NFC Championship game.