Here’s what Charlotte Observer columnist Tom Sorensen wrote to mark the first Carolina Panthers football game at their new stadium in Charlotte on Sept. 1, 1996.

The Panthers’ 1996 season remains one of the most remarkable in NFL history for a young franchise. Carolina reached the NFC Championship in just its second year of existence, and Greene’s ...

In 1996, Carolina finished 12-4, winning the NFC West title. The Panthers ended up falling to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship, and the Packers went on to win the Super Bowl. This year's ...

Carolina walked into its debut with immensely low expectations. Many envisioned they’d end the ’95 season by landing the No. 1 pick of the 1996 NFL Draft. An 0-5 start added fuel to that vision.

Michael Bates' tenure with the Carolina Panthers from 1996 to 2000 remains a shining example of special teams excellence in NFL history. During his five seasons with the franchise, Bates played in ...