CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers announced four new names to its Hall of Honor Monday, including three players on Carolina's first Super Bowl team in 2003.
The honorees were:
Quarterback Jake Delhomme
Delhomme led the Panthers to Super Bowl 38 in 2003. He passed for 19,258 yards and 120 touchdowns for Carolina.
Offensive Tackle Jordan Gross
Jordan Gross spent his entire 11-year career with the Panthers, beginning in 2003. He was named to three Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro in 2008. He started 167 games for the Panthers.
Wide Receiver Steve Smith
Steve Smith spent 13 years with the Panthers beginning in 2001. In 182 games with Carolina, Smith caught 836 passes for 12,197 yards and 67 touchdowns. He retired after the 2016 season after three years with Baltimore. Steve and his family still live in Charlotte where his foundation helps victims of domestic violence in the Carolinas.
Tight End Wesley Walls
Wesley Walls came to the Panthers from New Orleans in 1996. In seven seasons with Carolina, Walls had 324 receptions for 44 touchdowns and was named to five Pro Bowls.
Those four will join Panthers legend Sam Mills, PSL owners and original general manager Mike McCormack. The Panthers announced the 2019 class will be inducted during a game this season.
“It’s something that was so overdue,” Tepper said of expanding the team’s Hall of Honor. “I mean, to have one player in the Hall of Honor after 25 years? It was time. It was past due time. One year in, when I got to know a little more about the team, a little more about the history, I think it was the right time.”
One notable name not on the list was Julius Peppers, who retired after the 2018-19 season. Panthers reporter Bill Voth said the idea of adding players to the Hall of Honor began while Peppers was still playing, so he was never considered for the group.
The Panthers said that Tepper personally called each individual on FaceTime so he could get their reaction to the news. Their names will be displayed in the upper bowl like current honorees at Bank of America Stadium and each player was measured for a bronze bust.
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