CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The text message popped up on Ron Rivera’s cell phone late Thursday night shortly after the Carolina Panthers selected Maryland wide receiver D.J. Moore with the 24th pick of the NFL draft. It was easy to figure out who sent it without looking at the name because “he put in his hieroglyphics.’’
It simply said, “Thank you.’’
The message was from quarterback Cam Newton, appreciative the Panthers for the second year in the draft added another first-round weapon to his arsenal.
“It really was interesting because Cam stays up on all this stuff and he came right to us with all the offensive guys,’’ Rivera said.