Carolina Panthers Roasted At NFL Honors And Head Coach Responds
LAS VEGAS – The NFL is entertainment and no show during Super Bowl week proves that more than the NFL Honors program, which is broadcast in prime time on national television.
And Thursday night was a star-studded affair on the Vegas strip – red carpet and all. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson got the MVP award. Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year.
And the Carolina Panthers served as butts of jokes.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 01: (L-R) David Tepper, Nicole Tepper, Dan Morgan, Dave Canales, Brandt Tilis and Kristi Coleman of the Carolina Panthers pose for a photo during the Carolina Panthers Head Coach introduction at Bank of America Stadium on February 01, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
Panthers Butt Of Super Bowl Joke
Host Keegan-Michael Key used the Panther to tie Taylor Swift (heard of her?) to the game her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, is playing in on Sunday.
"My understanding is that Taylor Swift is in Tokyo right now," Key said during his opening monologue. "The only people farther from the Super Bowl are the Carolina Panthers."
Ziiiiiing!!!!
The Panthers authored a 2-15 record last year. It was the worst record in the NFL.
And the Panthers have been very good at being very bad. They fired their coach this year. They fired their coach last year.
They also fired their general manager this year.
They've cleaned house, folks.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 07: Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers looks to pass during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Bryce Young Hasn't Played Like First Pick
They selected quarterback Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall selection while the Houston Texans, holding the No. 2 selection, took C.J. Stroud.
And Stroud was named the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year. Meanwhile, questions surround Young and his ability to play at a high level after a rocky rookie season.
The Panthers have also been very good at doing bad things that have helped other teams get better and win.
So the joke was funny. But also accurate.
Well, Panthers coach Dave Canales apparently was either watching the show or monitoring social media's account of the show.
And he responded.
Dave Canales Aware Of Joke
Oh, goodie.
Canales is apparently going to be keeping receipts of what people say about his team. Or himself. Or something.
Canales, a first-year head coach after doing good work as a first-year offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay, seems to have the personality to show people when they underestimate him.
One would imagine the Panthers, like many teams, will take on the head coach's personality.
And that may mean the Panthers will try to prove to people they're not the butt of jokes anymore.
That's cool.
They'd be better served concentrating on getting Young to play up to the level of Stroud – the player taken behind him in the 2023 NFL draft.