CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — After 30 years of holding Carolina Panthers personal seat licenses, Robin and Chris Whicker finally got a return on their investment — a free trip to see the team play in Germany.
But at first, the couple thought it was a scam. They called the Tepper Sports team and forced them to prove it wasn’t fake.
“He didn’t believe it. I quizzed her as I was talking to her because I didn’t believe it either. So I kept quizzing. And then when I called him at work, he told me to hold out. Do not tell the kids. Do not tell anybody you know until I get home,” Robin said.
Panthers representatives explained to the couple that they were placed in a draw with 18,000 other PSL holders. The Whickers were one of two fans chosen for the trip.
Once they realized it was real, Chris gave his wife the green light to tell the kids.
“They knew how dedicated we were, especially Robin, because she’s a die-hard I am too, but she’s really a die-hard. And they were just thrilled for the opportunity,” Chris said.
It’s only the second international game in the Panthers’ history. Their only overseas game was a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in London during Week 6 in 2019. Carolina was the last NFL team to get an international game.
“Even when we were at the airport before boarding the plane everybody had panthers gear on, on the flight over when we arrived, there were banners out in front of the hotel. There’s a fans zone, we have our own Panther’s pub dedicated to the Panthers. It’s like you’re at a home game and there are Panthers fans everywhere we are. I haven’t seen many Giants fans which is not a bad thing.”
Both teams sit with a 2-7 record but the couple hopes the fan turnout gives the Panthers the confidence they need to stay on the win streak.
“We have the same record. So you know we’re looking at it that way. And every game is a new game. That’s the way it’s always been. And you know, when you’ve been fans as long as us, the fact that you’re here and go into a game, that’s all that matters,” Chris said.
Robin says being a Panthers fan has been a roller coaster ride for the last 30 seasons – but it’s a ride she wouldn’t trade for anything. Especially raising her children to be what she calls “original Panthers fans”
“It’s just still fun to go out and support a whole team and to know that you live in Charlotte and have an NFL team. And so even though it may, you may not win every year, but is like he said, every game is a different game and it wouldn’t be fun if it wasn’t competitive,” said Robin.