In 1995, the Carolina Panthers employed LaVar Ball.
It’s hard to believe now, but Ball’s two-month stint as a practice-squad tight end for the Panthers went practically unnoticed at the time — even by his own teammates. Ball’s appearance directly behind former team owner Jerry Richardson in the official Carolina Panthers 1995 team photo was, by far, his most enduring moment in Charlotte.
Now, 25 years later, the Charlotte Hornets may soon employ LaVar’s youngest son, LaMelo Ball.
If the Hornets do draft LaMelo with the No. 3 pick they just won in the NBA draft lottery, his time with the Hornets will be far different from his father’s time with the Panthers.