Skip to main content
Join Now

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper appears to throw drink on Jaguars fans

Nikki Chavanelleby: Nikki Chavanelle12/31/23NikkiChavanelle
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper
Jane Gershovich/Getty Images

As his squad took a 26-0 beating on Sunday in Jacksonville, Panthers team owner David Tepper appeared to toss a drink on Jaguars fans at EverBank Stadium. In phone footage captured on the suite level of the stadium, Tepper appears to throw his drink out of the window of the suite he’s in, however, the footage doesn’t show the entire incident.

It’s a bad look for the owner whose team is 2-14 this season. The shutout at the hands of the Jaguars on Sunday was the first for Carolina since 2002.

On offense, the Panthers had just seven first downs while giving up six sacks on quarterback Bryce Young. On defense, they gave up 317 total yards to a Jaguars offense led by backup QB CJ Beathard.

If the Jaguars can prove that Tepper tossed his drink on one of their fans, the owner could be looking at disciplinary action from the league. Fans from opposing teams fighting is a regular occurrence in professional sports stadiums, but team owners getting into it with fans is almost unheard of, especially in the NFL.

According to Panthers reporter Joe Person, the NFL is aware of the video but has no comment at this time, per spokesman Brian McCarthy.

Tepper defends itchy trigger finger on Panthers coaches

Amid the questions about Frank Reich’s firing last month, Tepper found himself defending the fact that he’s fired three Panthers coaches since taking over the team in 2018.

“In other aspects of my life, we have people for 20-30 years who works for me. No one ever leaves me,” Tepper said, via Jori Epstein, adding, “I do have patience. My reputation away from this game is one of extreme patience.”

Apparently, Tepper’s patience ran out after loss No. 10 this season against the Tennessee Titans. He sent Reich packing, along with QB coach Josh McCown and running backs coach Duce Staley.

When asked what the owner will be looking for in his next head coach, he said he’s hoping for longevity. Not just four or five seasons, which would be significant given the Panthers’ recent history, but a decades-long tenure.

“I would like someone to be here 20, 30 years,” Tepper said. “I’d like to have someone say the eulogy at my funeral in 30 years. OK, maybe 40 years.”