11 things that happened since the Carolina Panthers’ last regular-season loss
The 11-0 Carolina Panthers haven’t lost a regular-season game in a year and a day – since Nov. 30, 2014, when they fell 31-13 to the Minnesota Vikings.
(And before there are any objections: Yes, Carolina did lose to the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional round of the NFC Playoffs on Jan. 10.)
Here are 11 things that have happened since that last regular-season loss:
(1) Gas prices have dropped 65 cents per gallon
A gallon of regular, unleaded gas in the Charlotte-metro area averaged $2.69 per gallon last November, according to AAA. Today’s average is $2.04 a gallon.
(2) 23 major candidates announced they were running for president
Six Democrats and 17 Republicans announced their candidacy for president since last year. Six of those candidates – three Democrats and three Republicans – have dropped out along the way.
(3) Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly received college diplomas
This May, Newton received his sociology degree from Auburn while Kuechly earned his marketing degree from Boston College.
(4) NBA All-Star game awarded to Charlotte
The 2017 All-Star game will be held at Time Warner Cable Arena.
(5) Charlotte elected a new mayor
Democrat Jennifer Roberts beat Republican Edwin Peacock in November’s election to become Charlotte’s second elected female mayor. She’ll take office in December.
(6) Chiquita left town
Banana-maker Chiquita Brands International announced in January that it was closing its Charlotte headquarters after being acquired by two Brazilian companies. The company’s sign recently came off the NASCAR Plaza office tower uptown.
(7) Glaciergate!
Simon’s decision to put up a glacier at SouthPark Mall instead of a Christmas tree didn’t go over well. The mall quickly changed course and brought back a more traditional holiday display. The company’s CEO went on to admit the decision was a mistake.
(8) New coaster opened at Carowinds
The Fury 325, Carowinds’ newest attraction and the “world’s tallest and fastest giga coaster,” opened in March. The roller coaster was awarded Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Award for Best New Ride in the world. Carowinds also announced a water park expansion, which is slated to open next year.
(9) Belk sold to N.Y. private equity firm
Charlotte-based Belk was sold to Sycamore Partners for $3 billion in August.
(10) Supreme Court ruling upheld same-sex marriage
In June, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have the constitutional right to marry after a long legal battle.
(11) Hornets got a face lift
The Charlotte Hornets acquired Nic Batum, Spencer Hawes, Jeremy Lamb, Jeremy Lin and Tyler Hansbrough in the off-season. The Hornets also selected Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky with the ninth-overall pick of the NBA draft and signed undrafted Kentucky guard Aaron Harrison.
Photos: David T. Foster III/Charlotte Observer; AP; Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published November 30, 2015 at 9:11 PM with the headline "11 things that happened since the Carolina Panthers’ last regular-season loss."