Jerry Richardson

I already am. Assuming any of my organs are worth a shit after I die and before I get cremated

 

The Charlotte-based Sports Business Journal has ranked Panthers owner Jerry Richardson the country's 39th most influential sports businessman of 2008. The only NFL owners ranked higher than Richardson in the publication's top-50 rankings are New England's Robert Kraft and the Dallas Cowboys' Jerry Jones, who ranks second on the list. Richardson was No. 46 in 2007. -- David Scott

 

I did a project/report (NERD ALERT) on the launch of the Panthers franchise in 1995, back in high school. Did some considerable research, and read some interesting things on Richardson, including his beginnings in Spartanburg.

In doing research for the project, he was kind enough to send me a hand-written thank you note of appreciation in the interest for the team. Douche that I am, I lost the note, probably in a drunken stooper a few years later.

I'm not thrilled about everything he's done, and I'm not a big fan of his son Mark, but all and all, I like JR. He's simple, quiet, and doesn't fucking bring attention to himself.

I also appreciate the loyalty he's shown to Fox, who many wanted fired at the end of 2007. Good coaches are a bitch to find, and when you have one like Fox, you ride it for as many years as you can.

 

Oh, I agree. The fruits of my labor are evident on every level.

 

Very impressive. More so when you consider his place on the 'NFL Owner Longevity' list, he's made a lot of headway in a short amount of time. It takes a great, well-liked man to garner respect like that out of that group.

My gf met Mr. Richardson at a dinner for her student group at Queens. There were about 10 students and Mr Richardson, and the group received a handwritten note from him thanking them for their time and sharing their knowledge. She ran into him a few years later and he not only remembered her name, he asked how she had done in school and remembered what program she was enrolled in.

I can barely remember the name of some of the people I've worked with for years. He's an amazing person and I hope he gets the help he needs.

 

maybe he thought your gf was hot

 

someone needs to get off the dope

 

this year, even. We haven't lost two in a row, never fell to .500 or below, and there were people calling for him to go.