Shy Tuttle can finally admit he was a Carolina Panthers fan, and he started by trying to prove it to reporters on Wednesday.
Following the second session of voluntary minicamp this afternoon, the Winston-Salem, N.C. native began his first press conference back home with a deep cut of a trivia question: What number did Deshaun Foster start off with?
Foster, of course, is one of the greatest running backs in franchise history—and, apparently, made quite an impression on Tuttle during his youth. The answer, by the way, was No. 20—something one of the team’s biggest free-agent signings knew because of his roots.
“I actually did,” Tuttle replied when asked if he grew up a Panthers fan. “I wasn’t allowed to say that my first four, five years—but I grew up a Panthers fan.”
Tuttle kept that little detail under wraps during his four-year tenure with the division rival New Orleans Saints. But now, after inking a three-year, $19.5 million pact in Carolina, he’s an open book.
“It’s dope,” he added of his homecoming. “I’m excited to be here, my family’s excited. I would say dream come true, kinda, growing up a Panthers fan. I’m appreciative.”
The 27-year-old would later disclose that some of his favorites included Julius Peppers, Chris Gamble, Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly.
Not too shabby there, Shy.
