There was sad news out of the National Football League this afternoon, as it was announced that former Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson had passed away at the age of 86.
"Jerry Richardson's contributions to professional football in the Carolinas are historic," Panthers owners David and Nicole Tepper said in a statement Thursday. "With the arrival of the Panthers in 1995, he changed the landscape of sports in the region and gave the NFL fans here a team to call their own. He was incredibly gracious to me when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful. Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones. We wish them much peace and comfort."
Meanwhile, joining in on the list of condolences being offered is Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones, who offered the following words:
"Jerry had a dream of bringing an NFL team to his home state, and he made it a reality," Jones said in a statement. "Football was part of his DNA, and Jerry's dedication towards the growth and evolution of the NFL was evident from the time he was first awarded a franchise in 1993. His vision as an accomplished businessman, and both NFL player and owner, gave him a special perspective that benighted the league in many very impactful ways. My heart goes out to Rosalind and the entire Richardson family."
This certainly was a classy gesture from Jones.
