Bryce Young spent Sunday in Raleigh giving fans a rare up-close look at the Panthers quarterback who has suddenly become one of the NFL’s hottest names.
Fresh off a 329-yard, two-touchdown performance on Sunday Night Football and a week in which he led the league in passing yards after Week Four, Young drew a crowd that treated him like an early MVP candidate. At the new Dick’s House of Sport at Crabtree Valley Mall, hundreds came out for the store’s grand opening and lined up for a chance to get his autograph and snap a photo.
Some of those fans didn’t just wait around for a while. They waited as long as 15 hours.
Before the signing, Young spoke with local media and made it clear how much the support means to him across the region.
"Just being part of the Carolinas, you know, like you said, obviously we do everything in Charlotte, but you know, we always feel the support from from all the Carolinas, and being able to be in different parts, you know, is meaningful for me,"
Young also sat down for a separate interview with Dennis Cox of 99.9 The Fan and WRAL’s Chris Lea, where he reflected on a childhood moment that stuck with him: meeting Kobe Bryant.
"Yeah, I was able to go to a Kobe Bryant camp when I was younger," Young said. "Being out in the LA area, and was able to take a picture with him, and you know that was just so cool.
I think also one of the coolest things that they kind of like allowed was like they allowed all the campers to like watch him work out. Like you know, obviously it was like off season, but you know it's cold.
Like he was still you know strict regimen and was still working out. I think it was like the like he was working out twice a day."
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Panthers Finally Get Two Key Linemen Back In A Crucial Stretch
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Wharton had been on the PUP list after neck surgery, while Moton landed on the NFI list because of a blood clot in his lung. Their return to practice opens the door for Carolina to reinforce two important spots up front, but the clock is now ticking for the team to decide whether to activate them to the 53-man roster or leave them sidelined for the rest of the year. [Read more 🡒]
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There is more movement beyond Coker, too. Offensive tackle Taylor Moton and defensive lineman Turk Wharton have had their practice windows opened, a sign that both are starting to trend in the right direction after their injuries. Carolina has spent enough time managing absences already, so getting multiple starters and rotation pieces back into the mix could help the Panthers sort out both sides of the ball as the schedule tightens. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Bye Week Suddenly Put Real Pressure On What Comes Next
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There is still a real test waiting when the Panthers come back, though, and it is not just about health. Carolinas Super Bowl odds and power ranking both ticked up during the break, helped by the results around the division and by the struggles of the next opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles. The bye gave the Panthers a better-looking picture on paper, but the pressure now shifts to what they do with it once the games resume. [Read more 🡒]