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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — The week of Carolina’s game with Tampa Bay late last season, Derrick Brown was on a mission for history.
Coincidentally, so was David Monroe.
“I was hoping to get his jersey,” Monroe recalled. “He said, ‘No I want to keep my jersey but you can have my helmet, cleats, and anything else.’”
In the end, both men got what they wanted. Brown set the record for tackles in a season by a defensive linemen and Monroe got to add to his collection. A collection, that tells the ongoing story of the Black and Blue.
“The Panthers are very special to me,” The 52-year-old says. “I’m very passionate about this team. (I’m) Very passionate about what I do.”
For 31 years, the Charlotte native has worked for his hometown team. However, it wasn’t until 2017, that he found his true calling as the Panther’s first-ever full-time historian.
“This job is important because we are preserving our organization’s history. Not only are we preserving the history but we are telling the story of the organization.”
He acknowledges it’s a never-ending responsibility. Monroe’s always on a quest for knowledge and his office tucked deep inside Bank of America Stadium is living proof.
“The things I like to find are unique items,” he explains. “(They’re) Not things that anyone can go into a sports memorabilia store and purchase off the racks.”
Here you’ll find everything from jerseys to toys, even billboards from the Bank of a bygone era. However, what won’t you won’t find are many John Hancock’s.
“I like to say that autographs are for collectors and they don’t really tell a story.”
However, he does. It’s Carolina’s story. One he’s proud to play a small part of.
“I like to say a coworker and teammate to the guys.”
And like Derrick Brown, David Monroe continues to produce MVP results.
Note: Panther fans can check out some of Monroe’s collection during home games. To celebrate the team’s 30th year, there will be a mobile exhibit that will move about the concourse.
