Before today, the Panthers’ legendary “Hall of Honors” only had 3 members; Linebacker and coach Sam Mills (credited with Panthers’ iconic phrase “Keep Pounding” and inducted in 1998), team president Mike McCormack (inducted in 1997), and all of the team’s PSL owners (inducted in 2004).
Owner David Tepper has now decided to more than double that list.
This morning, the organization posted the following video along with the official announcement of 4 new inductees;
The Panthers will be adding wide receiver Steve Smith, quarterback Jake Delhomme, offensive tackle Jordan Gross, and tight end Wesley Walls to the hall, with an official induction ceremony planned for sometime during the 2019 regular season.
“It’s something that was so overdue,” Tepper commented on the Panthers’ website. “I mean, to have one player in the Hall of Honor after 25 years? It was time. It was past due time. One year in, when I got to know a little more about the team, a little more about the history, I think it was the right time.”
Tepper personally told each of the new inductees earlier this spring and had each new member fly to Charlotte to be measured for their new bronze statue that will forever be displayed outside of the Bank of America Stadium.
Smith played a total of 16 seasons in the NFL with his first 13 in Carolina. He totaled 836 catches for 12,197 yards and 67 touchdowns with the Panthers, while also becoming a two-time All-Pro selection and being named to five Pro Bowls.
Delhomme played 11 seasons in the NFL and 7 with the Panthers. He acheived a 53-37 record as a starter with Carolina and led us to 3 postseason appearances, including the 2003 Super Bowl.
Gross spent his whole 11-year NFL career with the Panthers between 2003 to 2013. He was an All-Pro selection in 2008 and made the Pro Bowl a total of 3 times.
Walls played for Carolina between 1996 and 2002, racking up 324 total catches for 3,902 yards. He was named to five Pro Bowls.
What do you think about Tepper’s selections?
Do you think anyone else should make the Hall?