The Carolina Panthers Tickets and Fun

The Panthers logo consists of the head of a black snarling panther outlined in blue. It is shaped to resemble the combined borders of North and South Carolina. The helmets are silver, and in 2003, they changed the helmet color slightly to a more metallic shade. The team normally wears silver pants with their black jerseys, and white pants with their white jerseys. Both the black and the white jerseys have blue stripes over the shoulders. The team introduced an alternate jersey in 2002 that is blue with black shoulder stripes.

Like many other NFL teams located in temperate climates, the Panthers traditionally wear their white jerseys at home during the first half of the season - forcing opponents to wear their dark ones under the warm autumns in Charlotte. In the preseason, the Panthers wear their white uniforms at home.

The team's uniforms prompted a 2003 lawsuit by the Oakland Raiders, who claimed that the NFL and the Panthers had infringed upon key trademark elements of the Raiders' brand, specifically the silver and black colors. In the same suit, the Raiders challenged the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1997 uniform design, including the pirate logo. The Raiders wanted the courts to bar the Buccaneers and Panthers from wearing their uniforms while playing in California. However, since the lawsuit was filed in a state California court, the lawsuit was tossed out because only federal courts have jurisdiction over intellectual property issues. The Raiders have yet to appeal the ruling.

The Panthers maintain a healthy rivalry with all the NFC South teams. But they maintain a special place in their hate for the Atlanta Falcons. The rivalry with Atlanta began in the first season of the franchise when both teams were members of the NFC West. In 2001, both teams, joined by the Saints and Buccaneers, formed the nucleus of the NFC South. The Panthers and Falcons have played over a decade of hotly contested games. Fans of both teams easily travel between home and away games as (both teams are located on Interstate 85).

Outside the division, the biggest rival is the Dallas Cowboys. In both 1996 and 2003, the Panthers were responsible for eliminating the Cowboys in the playoffs. In a key game late in the 2005 season, Steve Smith was ejected for touching an official. Late in the game, a blocked field-goal was reversed by a suspicious penalty and Dallas scored the winning touchdown two plays later. This late-season loss kept Carolina from winning the division and forced them to enter the playoffs as a wild card team. They were eliminated in the NFC Championship by the Seahawks. In the regular season of 2006, Dallas won 35-14 on the high-profile NBC Sunday Night Football. In 2007, a 20-13 Dallas victory over Carolina mathematically eliminated the Panthers from the playoffs, and ultimately clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs for the Cowboys. The Panthers are currently 2-0 lifetime against the Cowboys in post season play.

Some also considered the Jacksonville Jaguars to be their AFC rival since both of these teams came into the NFL in 1995. The Panthers' first pre-season game was against the Jaguars, which the Panthers won. These teams rarely play so the rivalry has not taken root and the Panthers lack an AFC rival.

Year Wins Losses

1995 7 and 9

1996 12-4

1999 8-8

1997 7-9

1998 4-11

2000 7-9

2001 1-15

2002 7-9

2003 11-5

2004 7-9

2005 11-5

2006 8-8

2007 7-9

2008 6-2 (as of this lens)

The TopCats, the Carolina Panthers Cheerleaders, help cheer the Panthers to victory and entertain fans at every home game at Bank of America Stadium. A group of 27 women, the TopCats represent all regions of the Carolinas and range in age from 21 to 39 years old. Their careers are in a variety of professions, including business, finance, medicine and teaching.

Auditions for the TopCats are a comprehensive and intense process. The final squad members are chosen based on their personalities, showmanship, dance skills and physical fitness.

The TopCats are visible throughout the Carolinas at corporate appearances and charitable events. With a variety of music selections and dance styles, the TopCats appeal to Carolina Panthers fans of all ages.