2015-16 Carolina Panthers legends stood on the field at the 2026 Wild Card matchup, dabbing and laughing with each other pregame.
Courtesy of Charlotte Observer
The city of Charlotte stood still as the 2026 Wild Card playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams approached on Jan. 10, a moment that felt bigger than football — a moment that united the Queen City as nothing else could.
Fans across the city dusted off jerseys, jackets and Panthers memorabilia, their excitement building after a decade-long wait. The last time Charlotte hosted a playoff game, the Panthers stormed to a 15-1 season, only to fall to the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl, a memory that lingered in the hearts of long-time supporters.
This was not just a game for the veteran fans; it was a celebration for a city that had grown and changed in the years since Charlotte had tents in every corner selling Panthers t-shirts and hoping for Super Bowl glory.Â
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Nearly 18% of Charlotte residents were born outside the United States, and over 62% of new arrivals in Mecklenburg County came from other parts of the country.
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The excitement reached a whole new level when the Panthers honored their legends.  On Thursday, just two days before Saturday’s matchup, the team released a video that sent shockwaves through both fans and the NFL world. The announcement revealed that 2015 league MVP Cam Newton would return to Bank of America Stadium to perform the honorary role of leading the team onto the field by pounding the Panthers’ iconic drum.
This would come as his relationship with the team was far from smooth. After years of injuries, inconsistent team performance, and clashes with management, Newton’s tenure ended on a note of tension. When he left Carolina in 2020, some fans felt a mix of relief and nostalgia, while others mourned the departure of the player who had defined a generation of Panthers football.
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The day before the matchup, the Panthers released a highly anticipated playoff trailer that captured the city’s excitement and pride. Narrated by Golden State Warriors star and Charlotte native Stephen Curry, the video highlighted what it meant for the Carolinas to host a playoff game after a decade-long wait. Curry’s voice carried a mix of reverence and excitement, emphasizing the unity, resilience and passion of the fans. The trailer showcased iconic Charlotte landmarks, from the towering skyline to the historic monuments.
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On Saturday, the expected rain was never seen. Charlotte didn’t start with kickoff — it began long before at the Roaring Riot Tailgate, where the 4th&1 Podcast was being recorded — a fan festival that transformed the streets outside Bank of America Stadium into a vibrant playground for the Panthers. Fans had the chance to interact with legends like Newton and defensive star Luke Kuechly, alongside Newton’s co-host Peggy Collins, who helped energize the crowd and keep the excitement building.
Former Panthers quarterback and host of 4thand1 Podcast Cam Newton yells into the microphone at the Roaring Riot tailgate on Jan. 10.
Courtesy of Charlotte Observer
Even those who were unable to attend the game in person were still able to participate in the activities. The energy of the tailgates spread across the entire city. The combination of live interactions, games, music and appearances created a festival-like atmosphere, turning the streets of Charlotte into a celebration of Panthers football, community and playoff hope.
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As kickoff approached, it was time for the players to take the field, led by Newton, who wore a one-of-a-kind vintage jacket adorned with a multitude of pins commemorating the Panthers’ history. The moment captured the essence of the city, the team and the fans.
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The 4:30 kickoff played perfectly into Carolina’s hands, with 73,426 fans filling every seat of Bank of America Stadium. The stands were a sea of black and blue. From miles away, the roar of the crowd could be heard echoing through Charlotte’s streets with the open roof, bouncing off buildings and filling every corner of the city with a palpable energy. Every television in every sports bar, every living room and every tailgate outside the stadium struggled to capture the electricity inside. Any place showing Panthers vs. Rams became a magnet for attention, as fans stopped, watched and shared in the collective heartbeat of the city.
Bank of America Stadium had become more than a venue. I may not have been able to witness the game in person, but at the ACE Burger on Belmont Street, the worker turned on the game, and everyone who entered the door was invested. There was a sense of something shifting in the city, something almost impossible to explain. Bank of America Stadium is Charlotte’s chapel; it is the heartbeat of Charlotte itself, a place where past memories meet present dreams, and the city came together to remind the NFL what it means to play in front of a true home-field crowd.
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Inside the stadium, the energy was almost tangible. Players fed off it. For the Panthers and their fans, this was more than just a playoff game; it was a euphoric, unforgettable celebration of everything that it means to be part of the Queen City, united in one voice, one heartbeat and one team.
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The result may not have gone Carolina’s way, and it was okay. The city of  Charlotte was not in pain, but rather joyful. The 8-9 Panthers were able to compete with Charlotte, who had been suffering from mismanagement, and saw a Wild Card Playoff game. A new generation of fans, many of whom had never seen the Panthers in a playoff game since Jan. 24, 2016, experienced the thrill for the first time. They saw the stadium roar and felt the energy, seeing Newton not just as a podcast host, but as the Panthers legend he has always been, returning to lead his team and inspire the city once again.
​In that moment, win or lose, Charlotte was united. Earlier in the season, Steve Smith had made comments dismissing the city as a “weak-ass city,” but on this day, the Panthers and their fans proved the bigger picture —Charlotte’s spirit could not be measured by words, only by heart. Families, friends and strangers alike shared in the emotion, the pride and the hope for the future. Though the stadium eventually emptied, the echoes of the crowd, the chants and the laughter lingered, carrying through the city like a living memory.
For Panthers fans, every season is built on belief, resilience and an unwavering love for the team. Oh, Sweet Carolina — until next season.