The statue of Jerry Richardson -- ex-NFL owner and alleged workplace scumbag -- at Bank Of America Stadium is officially coming down ... and reports say it might be forever.
The 13-foot sculpture -- which was gifted to 83-year-old Richardson back in 2016 -- is feared to be a target for vandals in wake of national protests ... so the Carolina Panthers are having it removed.
While excavation is expected to be described as temporary by the team ... reports say it could be permanent, given the past allegations of sexual harassment and racist language against Richardson.