Fowler's bored like the rest of us: statue talk

http://www.charlotte.com/panthers/story/139276.html

Who should get a statue outside Bank of America Stadium?

I'll answer that in a moment. But first, a review.

The "statue question" is one I'm often asked by Carolina Panthers fans, who are curious about the Panthers' somewhat mysterious, extremely exclusive "Hall of Honor" and what it takes to get there.

The Panthers have played in the NFL for a dozen years, but their Hall of Honor has just three members: former President Mike McCormack (inducted in 1997); the late and great Sam Mills (inducted in 1998); and the team's thousands of PSL owners, inducted as a group in 2004.

McCormack was instrumental in the Panthers' birth. Mills was the Pro Bowl linebacker who became a trailblazer for Carolina when he left New Orleans in 1995 to lead the Panthers' defense for its first three seasons. They both have gloriously detailed statues standing outside the stadium and their names prominently displayed inside.

Both men were obviously worthy. But who else will join the Panthers' most elite club? After all, the Panthers haven't bestowed what they refer to as their "highest honor" on an individual since 1998.

In that nine-year period, men like Wesley Walls, Steve Beuerlein, Muhsin Muhammad, Eric Davis and Kevin Greene have all left Carolina -- all among Panthers leaders in at least one major statistical category -- but the chisels have stayed silent.

So what does it take?

I asked a Panthers spokesman, who said there is "no specific criteria," that as far as he knew no one was about to be inducted anytime soon and that any name on the wall would need a stamp of approval from Jerry Richardson, team owner and founder.

Fair enough. So here are the three things I'd do if I ran the Panthers' Hall of Honor:

1. As soon as placekicker John Kasay retires, call the sculptor. Kasay, the only man who has played on all 12 of the Panthers' teams, has more than 1,000 career points in a Carolina uniform. No one else has even 300. He's clutch, he's accurate and he's as pure as Ivory soap. He's so humble he might turn down this honor, so someone might need to do some arm-twisting.

2. In the fall of 2008, induct safety Mike Minter. The sculptor can get started on this one; Minter has declared 2007 as his last season. He has been a durable, classy rock on the Panthers' defense for his entire 10-year career and easily ranks as Carolina's all-time leading tackler.

3. Keep a close watch on Mike Rucker, Jake Delhomme, Steve Smith and Julius Peppers. All will be candidates after their retirement.

I'm not saying the Panthers should induct somebody every year. But the door to the Hall of Honor needs to be cracked open wider. One actual Panthers player in 12 years? That's a lonely number. Mills never wanted to stand out like that. He would want some company, and he deserves some.



FOWLER'S PICKS

These are Scott Fowler's choices for the Panthers' Hall of Honor:

JOHN KASAY: KICKER

His 1,064 career points are 796 better than their second-leading scorer, Muhsin Muhammad.

MIKE MINTER: SAFETY

Ranks second with 17 interceptions and has a franchise-record four interception returns for touchdowns.

OTHERS WORTH NOTING:

JAKE DELHOMME: QUARTERBACK

Career leader in every major passing category, including 89 touchdown passes, 1,101 completions and 13,331 yards.

STEVE SMITH: RECEIVER

Second all-time in receptions (344) and yards (4,925) and fourth in scoring (228 points). Has six returns for touchdowns.















way I figure it, after this comes a story about "what if we changed to the 3-4?" followed by discussion of the uniform pants' colors.

 

probably a giant "PSL" sculpture

 

I didn't know this..how incredibly stupid. It's like "Time's man of the year is YOU"....ugghh

 

Hell everyone of the PSL holders even thought it was stupid.

 

there were some here who were patting themselves on the back

 

Mills didn't deserve to be inducted WHEN he was inducted.

 

I believe i was at the game where they unveiled that, wasnt it the Jax game where Delhomme made his second half comeback and miracle pass to Proehl with 14 sec left? I remember thinking how silly it looks in the ring of honor, its even got smaller text compared to the other names if i remember rightly. But i remember that game more for Holly Robinson Peete looking mighty sexy in that panther uniform singing the national anthem and the first half booing of her hubby (prior to Jakes miracle of course) .

 

I could live with Kasay. He's been clutch too many times and for far to long. (minus a certain kick in Houston)

Minter, it'd be nice but nah. He's played here his whole career but really never been anything more than above average. I'd rather the Ring be reserved for truly special players, which brings me to

Steve Smith. If he plays out this contract the way he's played the last few years go ahead and start making the statue now. He's really matured since the Bright incident and he could be the first Panther in Hall. Unless of course you count Daymeune Craig. LOL I would make the trip to the Hall for that induction...

 

Smitty & Peppers if their careers continue even close to what they've been.