The Super Bowl. Two-point conversion. NFC Championship. Hail Mary. Onside Kick.
If any of these phrases make you panic or want to hide inside the over-sized jersey you’re wearing (despite the fact that you have no idea who Reggie White is, or if he’s still playing, or even what a defensive end really does), then don’t worry. I’ve got your back.
It turns out that football isn’t just about eating chili and screaming at a TV while surreptitiously looking at your friends to see what exactly you’re supposed to be screaming about (sorry).
With the recent Carolina Panthers win and their upcoming Super Bowl appearance, you really can’t put it off any longer. Plus, Panthers safety Tre Boston is a UNC graduate. You need to figure out what the heck a “division” is and what Cam Newton really does (besides look pretty, of course).
I grew up in a household where we watched football all weekend, scrimmaged nearly every day for a year, played Fantasy Football, and were taught to root for the Atlanta Falcons (thanks Dad). Now, I don’t claim to be a football expert, but I do know how to run a post pattern.
With that in mind, here are the top five things you need to know about the Carolina Panthers this season, according to ESPN, NFL, and the Carolina Panthers (great websites for last-minute emergency statistics, just FYI). Remember, memorizing stats can only make you appear cooler than you already are.
The Panthers are headed to the Super Bowl for only the second time in their history.
The other time was in 2003 and that didn’t go so well. This makes the Panthers one of only 13 current NFL teams to have never won a Super Bowl.
Cam Newton went to Auburn, is 6’5” and, according to People Magazine, took the time to finish his sociology degree.
He also started the Cam Newton Foundation, which, according to its website, is “committed to enhancing the lives of youth by addressing their educational, physical and social needs.”
In other words, you need to calm down. He is way too far out of your league.
Ron Rivera, the Panthers’ coach, has never won a Super Bowl in his time as an NFL coach.
He has, however, won one as a player: Super Bowl XX in 1985. He played as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears.
The Panthers will travel to Santa Clara, CA for Super Bowl 50 this year.
The game is on Feb. 7. Mark your calendars.
Side note: Sometimes the Super Bowl number is officially written in Roman numerals, and sometimes it’s just regular numbers. It’s fine. That’s not confusing or anything.
The Panthers are one of only 7 teams to win 15 games during the regular season.
There are 16 games in the regular season, so the Panthers almost had a perfect record this year. They did win both of their playoff games, meaning that if they win the Super Bowl, they will win a total of 18 games this season. Only three other NFL teams have ever managed to win that many games in a season.
Well there you have it, folks! Keep cheering on those Panthers and stay tuned for my Broncos-stats round-up next week.
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