Most people would say the NFL’s most powerful owner is Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones or the New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft, especially over the past two or three decades. After that people would say Art Rooney II, most wouldn’t say Jerry Richardson. However, the following information might tell you otherwise. On October 26, 1993, Richardson became the first former NFL player since George Halas to become an owner when the Carolina Panthers became the NFL’s 29th franchise. The Panthers have represented not only Charlotte and North Carolina, but the surrounding region; the area has benefited from the franchise’s success. Richardson was born and raised in Spring Hope, North Carolina and after graduating from Sanford High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina, he went to Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Richardson was an Associated Press Little All-American selection in 1957 and ’58 and still holds Wofford’s single-game record with 241 receiving yards vs. Newberry in 1956 and is the record holder for touchdown receptions in a season (9 in 1958) and in a career (21). As a senior at Wofford, he scored 72 points on nine touchdowns, 12 extra points and two field goals. Richardson calls being elected team captain in 1958 his greatest honor. In 1983, he was chosen to Wofford’s All-Time Football team as a receiver.

After an unsuccessful NFL career, he used his 1959 NFL championship bonus with the help of friend and former Wofford quarterback Charles Bradshaw to open the first Hardee’s franchise in Spartanburg. And both owned the Hardee’s business 50/50. The business expanded rapidly under his hands-on management style. From his headquarters in Spartanburg, he co-founded Spartan Foods, which was the first franchise of Hardee’s. He later was the CEO of Flagstar, which was the sixth largest food service company in the United States, controlling 2,500 restaurants and providing jobs for 100,000 employees and retired in 1995. On March 1, 2023, he passed away. During his ownership the Carolina Panthers won two NFC championship games and unfortunately lost in the Super Bowl following those victories. However, Richardson was a champion off the field as former players during his time as the owner of the Panthers and Panthers great Steve Smith confirmed this when he said: “You taught me a lot. You will be missed. When I lost my grandfather, you filled that role and I’m appreciative for that. Rest in peace.” Cam Newton is considered by many to be the greatest player in franchise history and said: “You gave me an opportunity that changed my bloodline and for that I can’t thank you enough. Rest in paradise, I love you Mr. Richardson.” More songs of praise were sung by former Panthers players and coaches who knew him well. Unfortunately, it’s clear that a great man passed away in Jerry Richardson.2