CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – The Carolina Panthers will offer a raccoon-inspired sandwich at home games this year, thanks in part to one of their most popular players.
Levy — the hospitality partner at the Panthers’ Bank of America Stadium — teamed up with wide receiver Xavier Legette to create the “Masked Bandit” sandwich.
Made with slow-smoked brisket, melted cheese, Carolina coleslaw the southern ingredients are served up on a “raccoon” roll.
Legette and Levy executive chef Adam Bognovitz shot a funny video while they whipped up a sandwich. In the video, Legette — dressed in his blue No. 17 jersey and a black cowboy hat — gave his thoughts and offered a bit of a helping hand.
The video ended with a shot of the chef and Legette doing the horse-riding “Dolla Bill” celebration, which the receiver from South Carolina does after every touchdown he scores. Fans can watch the full video here.
Panthers fans can try the Masked Bandit for themselves at homes games throughout the upcoming season.
Raccoon backstory
If you don’t know Xavier Legette, you might be left scratching your head, wondering why a Panthers player helped create a raccoon-inspired dish, or why raccoons are even in the conversation to begin with.
For those familiar with the second-year receiver, they probably already know exactly why.
On Thanksgiving morning last year, Legette — a Mullins, S.C. native — said he was looking forward to celebrating Turkey Day with his family’s secret raccoon recipe.
A couple weeks later, Legette appeared on a podcast with fellow NFL players and talked more about eating raccoon.
“It’s got its own taste,” Legette said on the podcast. “Everybody tries to stay stuff tastes like chicken. But raccoon got its own taste.”
In addition to liking raccoon, the four-wheeler-riding player who talks with a thick southern accent also likes eating squirrel and is a big fan of horses — hence the “Dolla Bill” celebration that mimics riding his favorite horse.
Xavier Legette celebrates his touchdowns with the “Dolla Bill” dance, which mimics riding his favorite horse.(Rusty Jones | AP)Legette primed for breakout season
Coming off an up-and-down rookie year in 2024, Legette appears ready to break out in 2025.
The former Gamecock was the Panthers’ first-round pick last year, and now heading into his second year, teammates and coaches have talked about how much more comfortable he looks in 2025.
“As he’s comfortable, you see the smile, you see him enjoying it out there and that’s what we want,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales said during a June press conference. “X, he’s so full of life, he’s so fun to be around. When he’s processing, he can be very focused and locked in, but the more comfortable he is, the more you see him just affecting everyone else in a positive way.”
Legette wasn’t all bad in 2024, although perhaps his most memorable play was one he didn’t make. He finished the year with just under 500 yards and four touchdowns, despite his struggles with drops and at times sub-par quarterback play.
Perhaps the most memorable moment from Legette’s rookie year was a potentially game-winning dropped touchdown against the Eagles.(Terrance Williams | AP)
Look for improved quarterback play and less pressure to be “the guy” (the Panthers took receiver Tetairoa McMillan in the first round of this year’s draft) to help Legette flourish in 2025.
Legette, Young, McMillan and company will have their first chance to show they are an improved team when Carolina opens its regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday, Sept. 7.
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