Jerry Richardson's Hubris Remains Immortalized in His Statue

Even though his sale of the Panthers is final, Jerry Richardson's likeness will linger—in the form of his massive statue, which will, in fact, remain in front of the stadium.

Two years ago next week, I saw the larger-than-life statue of Jerry Richardson for the first time. I was working down the road at the Charlotte Observer and news traveled that there was big unveiling at the stadium.

I walked down the road expecting to see a modest statue like the ones of the late Sam Mills Jr. and Mike McCormack, the first president of the Carolina Panthers. As I crested the hill I saw something dark and ostentatious in the foreground—as I got closer it seemed to get bigger. Privately I likened this…