While new Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper would like the focus to be on his plans for the team’s future
Sherrick McManis Jersey , he cannot completely put the franchise’s sullied past behind him.
Tepper has to keep the prominent statue of Panthers’ founder Jerry Richardson outside of the stadium as part of the NFL-record $2.2 billion deal he agreed to
in June after Richardson decided to sell the team in December amid reports of
sexual and racial misconduct in the workplace.
Tepper said Tuesday when he was introduced as the team’s new owner that he’s ”contractually obligated” to keep the 13-foot high statue of Richardson standing
alongside two growling panthers where it is.
The league substantiated the allegations against Richardson following a six-month investigation and fined him $2.75 million.
Fans have expressed their desire on social media and sports talk shows to remove the statue, which was built in 2016.
And while Tepper said contractually he can’t do that, he spoke repeatedly about changing the environment of the Panthers workplace.
Tepper said there will be ”no impediment” in employees feeling comfortable coming forward if they if they have any problems on the business side of the
organization.
He wants to create an environment where ”everybody feels safe like a family.”
Sports Illustrated reported in December, citing unnamed sources, that Richardson made sexually suggestive comments to women and on at least one
occasion directed a racial slur at an African-American Panthers scout. The
report states that he reached settlements that included non-disclosure
requirements forbidding the parties from discussing the details.
”Listen, whatever was, was. This is now,” Tepper said. ”This is going to be an open place. So there are not going to be non-disclosure agreements, no matter
what
Doug Williams Jersey , in this new place. That was then, this is now.”
The Panthers are only tied to Charlotte through June 2019 in terms of a stadium agreement, but Tepper reiterated the city is ”the most logical place” to
keep the team, although adding that a ”redo” is necessary.
The Panthers and the city of Charlotte came to an agreement on improvements for the team’s stadium in 2013, calling for the city to contribute about $87
million for renovations to Bank of America Stadium in exchange for a six-year
hard tether to keep the NFL franchise in Charlotte.
Tepper’s focus right now is on new practice facilities.
He said the Panthers are ”falling behind a little bit” other teams in the league.
He is considering moving the team’s practice facilities to South Carolina, in part to keep both states interested in the team. The Panthers currently practice
on three fields within walking distance to their downtown stadium. Tepper said
that valuable land could be used for developmental purposes.
Tepper, who grew up playing football, also said he wants more events at the team’s stadium, including high school state championship football games and the
”right kind of concerts.”
He is excited about the football side of the team
http://www.indianapoliscoltsteamonline.com/joe-haeg-jersey , praising two-time AP Coach of the Year Ron Rivera and his hiring of new
offensive coordinator Norv Turner to replace Mike Shula.
”I’m not looking to do too much there,” Tepper said of the coaching side.
However, Tepper plans to hire a new team president to replace Danny Morrison, who left last year, and former COO Tina Becker, who resigned on Monday after
seven months in the position. He said he has two replacement candidates in mind,
both with some marketing background.
He also likes the makeup of the team’s roster with training camp right around the corner, citing how involved players are in the community and charity
work.
He cited Spider-Man, saying that ”with great power comes great responsibility.”
—
A Santa Clara County judge ruled Wednesday that San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster will not have to stand trial on domestic violence
charges after determining there was no evidence that Foster ever hit his
ex-girlfriend.
Judge Nona Klippen said prosecutors didn't meet the burden of probable cause on charges of felony domestic violence and forcefully attempting to dissuade a
witness.
Foster was also charged with felony possession of an assault weapon after officers found a Sig Sauer 516 short-barreled rifle in his home while
investigating his ex-girlfriend's domestic violence report. That charge was
reduced to a misdemeanor.
The 49ers have not allowed Foster to take part in the offseason program while he dealt with these charges and general manager John Lynch had said he would be
cut from the team if it was determined that he hit a woman. Foster will be
allowed back Thursday now that the domestic violence charges have been
dropped.
"It has been made clear to Reuben that his place on this team is one that must continue to be earned
Cheap Stacy McGee Jersey ," Lynch said. "We will continue to monitor the remaining misdemeanor charge."
The prosecutor's office released a statement expressing disappointment in the judge's decision.
"We are disappointed because the evidence demonstrated that Mr. Foster seriously hurt his girlfriend," the statement said. "Some have wondered why we
still think Mr. Foster hurt his girlfriend when she said that he didn't.
Recantation is common among domestic violence victims. Some are scared, some
feel guilty, some are coerced, some need money. Whatever the cause, we move
forward on cases when victims falsely recant because we know that if we don't
more victims will be hurt."
The accuser, Elissa Ennis, recanted her accusations two days after telling police she was hit in the head eight to 10 times by Foster. She testified at a
preliminary hearing last week that the injuries were caused by a fight with
another woman and she gave prosecutors video of that fight. She said she lied
initially because she wanted retribution after Foster tried to end their
relationship.
Klippen said recantations aren't uncommon in domestic violence cases but said there was no supporting evidence in this case that Foster had attacked
Ennis.
"The injuries appear more consistent with a fight with another woman on a street than with being hit in the head by this defendant," Klippen said while
ruling from the bench.
Klippen also pointed to the fact that Ennis appeared "unusually calm" while making a second 911 call reporting the incident. A bystander who gave her a
phone to make the call testified she wasn't frantic and didn't appear to have
serious injuries
Brett Maher Jersey , and there was no evidence of prior abuse. Ennis also testified that she had made false allegations in another case after a boyfriend
broke up with her.
Prosecutor Kevin Smith had no comment while leaving the courthouse after the ruling and Foster only gave a thumbs-up before getting into a car with his
attorney.
The 49ers drafted Foster 31st overall last year after questions about his health and character caused him to drop from being a possible top 10 pick.
Foster delivered on the field, ranking second on the team with 72 tackles in 10 games as a rookie and looking like a key part of San Francisco's defensive
future.
"I'm excited to get him back, give him a hug and move forward," left tackle Joe Staley said.
Foster was charged in January in Alabama with second-degree marijuana possession before the incident in February that led to this case. Foster is due
in court next month for a hearing in his marijuana case.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league will "continue to monitor all developments in the matter which remains under review."
Authentic Womens Courtland Sutton Jersey
