Jerry Richardson has always been a large presence. Now, he’s even larger.
The Carolina Panthers partners unveiled a 13-foot statue of the team’s owner and founder at Bank of America Stadium on Monday as Richardson celebrated his 80th birthday.
The sculpture depicts Richardson in a business suit holding out a football with his left hand. To his left and right are two panthers that represent both offense and defense and North and South Carolina.
The sculptor, Todd Andrews, named the piece “The Tribute.” He sculpted the six panthers on pedestals around Bank of America Stadium, known as the Indomitable Spirits, as well as the statues of former team president Mike McCormack and linebacker Sam Mills.