"Thank You, Thank You, Thank You"
Posted September 11, 2005, 8:04 PM ET

...That was the phrase uttered by Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson to the Carolinas when Charlotte was awarded a NFL franchise in the early 90's.

It is also the phrase uttered by the New Orleans Saints to the same constituency after their latest visit to the Queen City. And why not? The Panthers were gracious hosts during the debut of the 2005 NFL season.

The Panthers are picked by many to be the team to beat in the NFC, and the Saints...well, they are a mess given the disaster surrounding their franchise and the conditions in the Gulf Coast region. The Saints don't even have a home, for crying out loud...perhaps they should coexist in Charlotte? Plus, the numbers don't lie - the Saints have the worst opening-day record in NFL history.

Over the weekend, the Panthers unloaded 350 free tickets to many evacuees so they could watch their Saints beat the Panthers. The folks even received $10 coupons so they could enjoy refreshments as they watched their Saints beat the Panthers. I'm telling you, the Panthers know how to make an out-of-towner feel right at home..nothing like a little southern hospitality.

The Panthers even raised over $176,000 for the Hurricane Relief efforts as everyone watched the home team fall to the Saints.

Even the Panthers' players did their part to make the Saints feel comfortable...and it didn't take long for the visitors to love the surroundings. When the Saints entered the field in a "hostile environment", they received a standing ovation by the locals. Then the Saints took the opening kickoff and marched for a touchdown in a drive that lasted nearly ten minutes. The Saints didn't score a touchdown on an opening drive during the entire 2004 season - but against the Panthers in Carolina, it was easy.

The Panthers made the Saints feel good with a brutally sloppy effort to kickoff the 2005 season. The Panthers did their best N.C. State impersonation with 11 penalties and 4 turnovers. Despite the lackluster performance, the Panthers tied it up on another John Kasay field goal with 64 seconds remaining. But, on this day, the Panthers stayed true to their role as the perfect host - and allowed the Saints to march down the field for the thrilling conclusion to a wonderful Bayou afternoon.

The winning field goal from 47 yards allowed the Saints and the nation to celebrate the win over the Panthers. People always say that nobody can throw a party like New Orleans...that's nonsense. Charlotte and the Panthers showed the country that nobody can top the generosity that you find at the stadium in Uptown Charlotte under a gorgeous Carolina-blue sky day.

If you don't believe me, just ask the Saints...they'll tell you.

"Thank you... Thank you... Thank you."