Charlotte Observer sports columnist Scott Fowler welcomes your questions on all sports topics, especially the pro and college sports teams of the
Carolinas. Because of the large volume of e-mail, not every question can be answered.
For more information about Scott and his work, you can also visit his
personal website at www.ScottFowlerSports.com.
Scott Fowler's answers to his most frequently asked questions.
Submitted by Jeff from Omaha, NE
Q: Scott, I certainly enjoy reading the posts regarding the issue of the "wine and cheese" crowd at BofA. The message from "The Richardson" will remedy this whole issue - respect, common sense and pride (both for the Panthers and the city of Charlotte). BTW - not all "Rust Belt" football fans have beer bellies, use profanity around young children or spill beer on the fans from the opposing team. Also, not all take off their shirts in sub-zero weather. OK - some do but they are ALWAYS the fans with the biggest beer bellies.
Answered 07/02/08 14:24:46 by Scott Fowler
A: Jeff: I have put your post on top to lead off this latest round of Panther fans' spewing at each other for the team's lack of homefield advantage. Why? I laughed when I read your post, but I also happen to be in Omaha at this moment covering the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials. A far cry from the NFL, yes, but enjoyable in its own way. And Omaha turns out to be a pretty cool place. So read on, Fowler Forum-ites. Today's main course: Panther fans rumbling. Side dishes: Some more opinions on who was the best Panther player of all time. Thanks, as always, for stopping by.Submitted by Feline D-Line from Davidson, NC
Q: WHOA SCOTT- In response to Eric from Parker, who characterizes Panthers fans as being too "fratty." The "wine and cheese" crowd and the "frat crowd" are two utterly different groups. Personally, I am a frat boy-I wear collared shirts, khakis, and boatshoes, and when I go to Panthers games, my friends and I usually are much more animated and involved than any of the folks around us. Albeit, some of our "animation" may be due to some selective pre-game activities, but we are all of age and we keep our fun clean. The majority of the crowd being discussed on this board seems to be the older, country club types-a completely different sub-culture than us "frat boys..." Anyway, BOA should charge a fee for anyone leaving at or before half-time-that would shore up some of the problems. On a separate note, our fans would also be much more involved if the price of a beer wasn't $6...
Answered 07/02/08 14:22:15 by Scott Fowler
A: Thanks for the input.Submitted by Forest Conner from Mountain View, CA
Q: Hi Scott, thanks for the mailbag. I wanted to quickly address this spat between "beer-spilling fans" and the "wine and cheese" crowd. Remember folks, we are all united around the same goal: to support our Carolina Panthers. What I think we need here is a little more mutual respect. I don't believe that anyone is implying (as Airman remarked) that disabled fans are less supportive for not standing. And I also don't feel that most people think that, just because one stands to cheer his team, he is either inebriated or belligerent. One quick personal story to exemplify this issue. I flew from California to Charlotte last year to see the Panthers eventually lose to the Falcons at home. Needless to say I was very excited and I stood up for several plays, shouting in support of my team. At sometime in the 3rd quarter I heard someone say, "Will this guy ever sit down?" I turned to him and said, "You are more that welcome to stand." He was not disabled, he was not with his children, he just felt like sitting as is his right. But it was also might right to stand and he was certainly not in a position of authority to stop me. At the end of the game, I collected my merchandise bag from under my seat and noticed it had been spit on. The point to this story is this: Everyone has the right to enjoy the games as they see fit, and while I would tend to agree that too many fans arrive late and leave early, I still respect their right to do so. I also expect them to respect my right to stand and cheer so long as I am not abusive and profane. So in the spirit of Mr. Richardson's letter about fan support, I would like to plead to all fans for one, simple thing: respect.
Answered 07/02/08 14:21:03 by Scott Fowler
A: Forest: Yes, sometimes when I read all these posts, I just wonder: Can't we all get along?Submitted by Joshua from West Virginia
Q: In regards to the ongoing discussion of the crowd at BoA Stadium, I thought I'd share my experiences. I lived in Charlotte for three years and went to a number of Panthers games, and I found that the crowd completely depends on the game. I went to one-sided matchups (in the Panthers' favor) against the Cardinals and Jets, and the crowd was rather tame. But I also went to home games against the Falcons and the Patriots, and the stadium was rocking for those. And I have never experienced anything like the home playoff game against Dallas during the 2003-2004 Superbowl run. The Panthers gave out white rally towels, and all you saw in the stadium was a blur of white towels spinning. My brother and I were in the upper deck, and you could feel the stadium literally shake with people pounding their feet and screaming. So there are ups and downs. A lot of people want consistent ups like you have at a Steelers or Eagles game, but remember two things about those situations: one, those northern teams have been around a lot longer than the Panthers and so have a more well-established fanbase and traditions, and two, as many have pointed out, there are a lot of drawbacks that come with constantly rowdy fans. Sure, many Carolina fans will be fair-weather, but the longer the team is around and the more success they have, the more devoted the fanbase will become.
Answered 07/02/08 14:19:53 by Scott Fowler
A: Joshua: Well put.Submitted by Adam from Charlotte, NC
Q: A bit extreme on the whole golf crowd is the one that brought us here. I think ppl are taking an extreme side to this golf crowd comment. I believe we do have a golf crowd. And I believe sports outings (outside of golf) weren't meant to be fun and rowdy and a bonding between fellow men. Its our one time of the week where we get to live out our childhood dreams of putting on those pads or cleats or basketball shoes and live it through someone else. I think people should get up and cheer. Being handicap is of course one thing, but those who are fully capable of standing up and aren't in front of the handicap aisle, should cheer their butt off. This isn't basketball, baseball, golf or tennis. This is the gridiron. Look at any college football program. Go to a college football game. Go to a Steelers game. You want to see fandamonium at its best. Look at the steelers. I don't like the steelers and love my panthers but you can't go to a city around the U.S. without finding a Steerers bar (Dixies, George Hermans, etc.) and in that bar, you'll find some of the best fans of the sport. So look at every other passionate team. There aren't a bunch of frat-tastics or golf crowd fans sitting at the truely passionate teams and if they're there, they've put on there jerseys and remembered what being a true fan was. Cheering your butt off. So if you're not a finger clapper golf crowd fan, you're the drunk who throws beer on everyone who doesn't like the Panthers. Come on. That's just ludicrous. There is a difference between being a fan that stands up and cheers for your team and stays the whole game and someone who is the drunk obnoxious fan who takes it too far. Btw Scott, Love the column. Read it every chance I get.
Answered 07/02/08 14:18:59 by Scott Fowler
A: Thanks, Adam, for a well-written post.Submitted by Dallas fan in Charlo from Charlotte, NC
Q: Hi there, I think Charlotte should be happy to have a team and realize that in a banking town, people aren't used to showing emotions unless the stock market is tanking. I will say that as a huge Dallas Cowboys fan, this is the only visiting stadium that you can come in wearing a Cowboys hat, jersey and jacket and leave with it all being dry. Philly Charlotte ain't and I, for one, am glad. By the way, at the last Carolina-Dallas game, did you see all the fans waving at the Cowboys' buses as they left? That felt like real football fans!
Answered 07/02/08 14:17:56 by Scott Fowler
A: Thanks for the input.Submitted by Jim from Lexington, SC
Q: Scott, You asked two specific questions: 1) Best Panther ever in terms of class From the fans standpoint and mine, it is a tie for Mills & Kasay. Mills has a statue that is well deserved. When John retires, I think we will all hear how much he has meant to the Panthers. He is great at leadership, support & mentoring for a player, let alone a "kicker". We are lucky to have had these two guys on our team in our short history. 2) Best Panther ever in terms of production This should be easy, but it's a team game. I will say Kasay because of career points & Game-winners. I could easily put in Smith, Moose, Lathon, Greene, Beuerlein, Delhomme, Bates, Davis & even Jenkins or Peppers. It would be great to break this down to more specifics: Career, Year & Game Offense, Defense & Special teams. Position Underrated & Overrated Thanks for the great column, Jim
Answered 07/02/08 14:17:22 by Scott Fowler
A: Jim: Thanks. For those who missed it, read on below for more responses to this question.Submitted by Hambone from Wilmington
Q: What do you think about the possibilty of Brinson Buckner (sp?)returning to the panthers locker room as a coach. There were whispers of him joining the staff at his retirement. I don't think the d line has had the same chemistry since he left. I hear he lives near by as well. Jake Delhomme best panther, not indvidual player. He had the single biggest contribution to our biggest team success.
Answered 07/02/08 14:16:51 by Scott Fowler
A: He does live nearby and I saw Brentson the other day when we were both taping the same TV show. I don't think he's going to return as a coach, though.Submitted by pantherd from columbia, sc
Q: As most have already eluded to, Sam Mills was a man of high character. Steve Smith has performed at a level future Panthers will always be compared against. Beurlein and Walls have made contributions that allow their names to be mentioned within the same converstaion. However, for me, John Kasay is the epitome of class and has spent the requisite time with the team in order to be crowned as such. Additionally, one man who has not yet been mentioned for "best" Panther of all-time has to be Michael Bates. Bates was a perennial pro-bowl talent, a world class sprinter trapped in a football player's body, and always good for at least one return TD. In a world where teams such as Tampa Bay can go decades without a return for a TD, one man made it an annual routine. Michael Bates was in on a limited number of plays, but he always made the most of his touches and often went the distance contributing greatly to the outcome of many games. Meanwhile he served as the Panthers' best gunner on their coverage units. In fact, he made the pro-bowl both as a return man and cover man in his tenure here. Not enough can be made of the importance of field position as it pertains to scoring ability. Having weapons such as Bates and Kasay was key to many scoring drives over the first decade of Panthers football. Bates with a 40 yard return followed by a Kasay field goal of 55 yards was common place during the late 90s.
Answered 07/02/08 14:15:50 by Scott Fowler
A: Glad to see Bates get some respect -- a lot of fans forget about Michael.Submitted by Thomas from Raleigh, NC
Q: There is not a more classier guy than John Kasay. Back 9 years ago (when I was 11) growing up in Charlotte before coming to NC State, I had surgery and was in the hospital for a week. On the last day I was there, John Kasay comes knockin on the door and asks to come hang out and talk and play checkers and chess with me. I remember being thrilled to be able to hang out with a player from my favorite team. He was so kind and gave me an autographed photo that is framed and still hanging up in my parents house. I can't imagine how many young lives he has touched throughout this community.
Answered 07/02/08 14:15:17 by Scott Fowler
A: Thomas: Good story. Thanks for the input.Submitted by bercat from Fayetteville NC
Q: Who would I think is the best Panther ever? I would have too say it's very close when it come to production on the field, and what little help those individuals have with them on the field. I'm going too have too choose Sam Mills. Steve Smith is a hard second. Both players receives much respect in there on way, on and off the field. Me and my son met Steve Smith here at Fort Bragg with the Carolina Caravan, and he's a very classy guy. He put on a great show with the Carolina fans here, in the Sand Hills.
Answered 07/02/08 14:14:50 by Scott Fowler
A: Thanks for the input.Submitted by Shayne from Raleigh, NC
Q: While the Panthers have had a number of classy players...John Kasay, Lamar Lathon, Mike Minter, Mike Rucker and others, Sam Mills is the classiest. He handled his well documented battle with cancer with grace, courage and dignity few of us can muster. I am a huge Steve Beuerlein fan. He did so much with little help. However, the best Panther ever is Steve Smith. No Panther has caused the opponent so much trouble in game planning. What convinces me is the quote of Brian Urlacher after the NFC Play-off game a few years ago. When asked what happened after the game Urlacher said, "Steve Smith."
Answered 07/02/08 14:14:31 by Scott Fowler
A: Thanks, Shayne, for the input.Submitted by Kevin Hastings from Cheryville, NC
Q: I know it may be a little tough and embarrassing for a football franchise to have a kicker as their greatest player ever but the Carolina Panthers and their fans need to accept the fact that John Kasay has been there for the team over the years the most. Just look at how many games the Panthers won by three points or less over the years thanks to Kasay. Many fans are upset about the kick out of bounds in the Super Bowl, but if it wasn't for Kasay the Panthers would have never been in that situation to begin with. No one seems to point out that the Panthers supposedly great defense didn't stop the Patriots and just blame it on Kasay. I fully expect to see a statue of Kasay outside the stadium in the near future.
Answered 07/02/08 14:14:10 by Scott Fowler
A: Keith: Thanks for the input.Submitted by Steve from Fayetteville, NC
Q: It took you 9 days to come up with "thanks for the input" and one copy-and-pasted post that was almost verbatim what you said last week? I guess the offseason isn't just for the league, it is also for the sportswriters eh?
Answered 07/02/08 14:13:59 by Scott Fowler
A: Steve: You got that right! Well, actually, I'm at the Olympic swim trials in Omaha, churning out several stories a day. I'm glad you're checking in, though.Submitted by Ed from Huntersville
Q: I have a new category for you. Name the best Panther with the least amount of class. (Forget Carruth, class isn't a category for him) I vote for Jarrod Cooper #40. He used to light up special teams. In fact, we lost a lot when we lost him and the good special teams coach. Otherwise, Cooper was a nightmare waiting to happen.
Answered 07/02/08 14:12:43 by Scott Fowler
A: Thanks, Ed. Might be a good fan poll someday!
