Spring Football Feature: Rise and Mine Long before the sun has thought about rising, the lights are blazing over Jerry Richardson Stadium as the Charlotte 49ers football team begins its spring workouts. The team's spring practices begin at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which means players and coaches are leaving the comfort of their beds between 3 and 4 a.m. to prepare. The reason for the early morning work is in part because of concussion prevention – the earlier players are up and hydrating, the less likely it is that they will suffer from a concussion during practice.