CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers quarterback Taylor Heinicke's eyes filled with tears as he explained why he continued to play with a badly injured elbow in addition to other aches and pain in Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
"Those guys are awesome and they believe in me," Heinicke said of the Panthers and those who traveled hundreds of miles for his first NFL start. "I wanted to give my all for them."
Heinicke gave his all and then some as the Panthers (6-9) lost their seventh straight and officially were eliminated from playoff contention.