CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jerome “Jerry” Richardson, the founding owner of the Carolina Panthers franchise, passed away on Wednesday night at his Charlotte home at the age of 86.
Richardson, who was born July 18, 1936 in Spring Hope, N.C., grew up in Fayetteville and played college football at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C.
He had a brief playing career in the NFL with the Baltimore Colts before turning to a business career. Richardson eventually ushered in the launch of the Panthers franchise in 1995 after being awarded the league’s 29th team in 1993.