Jerry Richardson

Lore & Background

Richardson was born in Spring Hope, North Carolina. He went to Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He was an Associated Press Little All-American selection in 1957 and 1958. He still holds Wofford's single-game record with 241 receiving yards vs. Newberry in 1956 and is the school's 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 called being elected team captain in 1958 the greatest honor he had received. In 1983, he was chosen to Wofford's All-Time Football team as a receiver. He was active in numerous groups on the Wofford campus; he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order fraternity, President of the Inter-Fraternity Council, and member of the SCA Cabinet. Honors he received while at Wofford included Distinguished Military Student, Scabbard and Blade Military Fraternity, Sigma Delta Psi, Blue Key National Honorary Fraternity, and recognition in Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges. Drafted in the 13th round of the 1958 NFL draft (held in December 1957) by the Baltimore Colts, Richardson played two seasons in the NFL, earning recognition as a promising rookie for the Colts in 1959. He caught a touchdown pass in the 1959 NFL Championship Game from quarterback Johnny Unitas. He was traded from the Colts to the New York Giants on August 3, 1961. After his NFL career, Richardson 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. The two ended up owning 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 franchisee 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. He retired in 1995. On October 26, 1993, Richardson became the first former NFL player since George Halas to become an owner when the Carolina Panthers were unanimously awarded the NFL's 29th franchise. The Panthers have represented not only Charlotte and North Carolina, but the surrounding region.

In Their Own Story

The parking lot at Cable & Wireless Stadium was still wet from a Tuesday-night rain when Jerry Richardson pulled his truck up to the gate, no entourage, just a faded Panthers cap on the dashboard and a thermos of coffee in the cupholder. He'd been in the building since six, arguing with the front office about a practice-field drainage issue, and now the security guard waved him through without a word. Inside, the concourse was empty except for a janitor mopping near the tunnel. Richardson walked the length of the field, running his hand along the sideline railing, looking at the empty blue seats as if they were a congregation he was about to address. He never said much. He just stood there, breathing in the smell of new turf and industrial paint, and for a long moment the whole stadium felt like it was holding its breath for him.

Reader's Guide

Jerry Richardson was the founder and original owner of the Carolina Panthers, owning the team from its inaugural 1995 season until its sale in 2018. He was a former NFL player for the Baltimore Colts and a successful businessman who built a restaurant empire. Key facts: born in Spring Hope, North Carolina; attended Wofford College; played two NFL seasons; founded Hardee's franchises and Spartan Foods; became Panthers owner in 1993; sold team to David Tepper in 2018 for $2.2 billion; died in 2023.

Did You Know?

• Richardson caught a touchdown pass from Johnny Unitas in the 1959 NFL Championship Game.
• He was the first former NFL player since George Halas to become an NFL owner.
• According to Statistica, he is the wealthiest NFL player of all time.
• He donated over $260 million to Wofford College, including a $150 million gift in 2021.