Jerry Richardson brought the Carolina Panthers to life. The entrepreneur was the founder and first owner of the franchise. Now he has passed away at the age of 86.

The Carolina Panthers are mourning the loss of their founder. Jerry Richardson died Wednesday night at the age of 86. The entrepreneur, who owned a fast food chain, was the driving force behind the franchise, which was launched in 1993 and joined the NFL two years later.

In a statement, David and Nicole Trepper, who took over the Panthers in 2018, shared: “Jerry Richardson’s contribution to professional American football in the Carolinas was historic.” By founding the club, they said, he “changed the sports landscape in the region and gave NFL fans here a team that they made theirs.”

During David Tepper’s takeover of the Panthers, Richardson had been “incredibly gracious”. The message ends with condolences for Richardson’s widow Rosalind, family and loved ones.

Jerry Richardson won the NFL Championship

Richardson played two years in the NFL himself, alongside Johnny Unitas as a receiver and half back for the Baltimore Colts. In the 1959 NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants (31-16), he caught a touchdown pass from the superstar.

However, he turned his back on the league due to financial disputes. After the Panthers became the 29th club, Richardson was considered one of the most powerful club owners.

Jerry Richardson suffered from heart problems

He suffered from health problems more than 20 years ago. In 2002 he underwent a quadruple bypass operation, in 2008 he was fitted with a pacemaker, and on 2 February 2009 he underwent a heart transplant.

Richardson remained close to his alma mater, Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, until the end. In February 2021, he gave the university 150 million US dollars, bringing his gifts to more than 250 million US dollars. The indoor basketball and track and field facilities bear his name, as does the Charlotte 49ers football stadium at UNC.