"Stand and cheer for the Panthers," as the chorus for the Panthers' fight song said. And that's what some people do.

Others prefer to sit and cheer for the Panthers. Others fall somewhere in between. And that's the subject of our debate today: fan etiquette at Bank of America Stadium as the Panthers prepare for their third consecutive home game Sunday.

I started thinking about this subject after getting an email from Eileen, who sits in lower-level seats in Section 115 and is a longtime Panthers fan.

Eileen wrote: "I've noticed lately that more and more fans are yelling at other fans to sit down during the games. Now I'm not talking about excessive standing or inconsiderately blocking the view of a small child, senior citizen, or handicapped person. I'm talking about that they don't seem to want you to stand at all. Not even when we are on D and it's third down? Or when we score? Stadium staff seems to be enforcing this as I have seen them tell fans to sit down! ... I want to be a courteous fan but I can't help but think that if you want to sit down for the whole game... Stay home on your couch and watch it on TV."

I talked to a Panthers official Monday about what the stadium policy is on standing vs. sitting. He said that stadium ushers would never tell someone to sit for big third-down plays or on a goal-line series. But someone who is standing constantly - for instance, standing through an entire quarter for every play - could be told to sit if the fan behind that person complains about a blocked view.

That's the key, the official said. If there are no complaints from other fans and the person in question stays in front of his own seat, standing is tolerated. But if someone behind you doesn't like it, you can be asked to sit down.

I asked for comments about this on my "Scott Says" blog Monday and they came fast and furiously. Here's a sampling, first from the "standers" - who wrote the majority of the comments:

"They are the stands. You stand."

"I'm embarrassed that this is even an issue at the games. This is NFL football, not the opera."

"I was asked to sit down during the opening kickoff of the first-ever game in Charlotte. Seriously!"

From the "sitters":

"Speaking as someone for whom it's pure torture to get (up) ... I spend half my time looking at someone's butt!"

"To those of you who stand up all the time and yell and scream so I can't see the game, I hope you look in your seat before you sit down. There is nothing better than putting a piece of gum or chocolate in (the) seat on a hot day."

From the "happy mediums":

"Years ago I ushered at the games. And the way I was trained was that you can stand at your seat all you want to. I tried to ask if between plays, timeouts, etc. if they would sit. Just to try and get along. But they didn't have to."

"I hate for folks to stand in front of me for every down, but if it's a critical play or we're on D and it's third down, then get rowdy and stand."

Me? I'm part of the "happy medium" crowd. When fans are on their feet yelling in anticipation of an important play, that makes sense. But I also wouldn't want someone standing in front of me for three hours straight.

Although I've long heard some fans complain about the "wine and cheese" atmosphere at Bank of America Stadium and about all the supporters from other teams that wind up with tickets, I've also heard the place be rock-concert loud many times before when Carolina was winning.

Coach Ron Rivera has a good perspective on it. He said of the Panther fans Monday: "I think they're beginning to understand we're headed in the right direction.

"We're doing things we need to do to put a good product on the field that they want to come out and cheer for. ... That's what has to happen. It's two-fold. Sure you want a sea of blue out there, but at the same time you've got to give them a reason to come. And I think that's what we're starting to do. We're starting to create that reason."

When that reason comes, the standers will undoubtedly win the day once again at Bank of America Stadium.

Until then, some stand. Some sit. And some sell their tickets to the other teams' fans.