The Carolina Panthers Practiced With a Local High School Football Team
On Thursday, the Spartanburg (South Carolina) High School Vikings had the most memorable practice of their lives.
The Carolina Panthers joined the Vikings, becoming the first NFL team in league history to practice with a high school team. Riley Fields, the Panthers’ director of community relations, said the joint practice was in celebration of the NFL’s Play 60 campaign.
The practice was held at Wofford College, and the Panthers warmed up with the team before moving on to practice on an adjacent field.
RELATED: Watching Cam Newton Explain How He Calls An Audible Is Every Football Fan’s Dream Come True
At first, Panthers coach Ron Rivera opposed holding the practice with the high school team. But the chance to give young football players an opportunity to learn from professional players changed his mind.
RELATED: The Panthers Are Using A Crazy Contraption To Help Cam Newton Deal With The Pass Rush
“To me it’s about the love of the game and bringing it back to the community,” Rivera said to the Associated Press.
Besides Rivera, the joint practice had to be approved by the NFL, the NCAA and high school officials.
The practice would not have been complete without some trash talk from the preppers, but it was elicited by Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, who coaxed a high school player to talk some smack to reigning NFL MVP Cam Newton.
This event was undoubtedly a great opportunity for the high school football players. Practicing with an NFL team? You can’t beat that.
RELATED: Kelvin Benjamin Looked Swoll In His First Training Camp Action Since Tearing His ACL
The Spartanburg Vikings will join the #Panthers practice today. First time an NFL & high school team share a field. pic.twitter.com/QdEdi0W9Mj
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 4, 2016
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The Carolina Panthers Practiced With a Local High School Football Team
On Thursday, the Spartanburg (South Carolina) High School Vikings had the most memorable practice of their lives.
The Carolina Panthers joined the Vikings, becoming the first NFL team in league history to practice with a high school team. Riley Fields, the Panthers’ director of community relations, said the joint practice was in celebration of the NFL’s Play 60 campaign.
The practice was held at Wofford College, and the Panthers warmed up with the team before moving on to practice on an adjacent field.
RELATED: Watching Cam Newton Explain How He Calls An Audible Is Every Football Fan’s Dream Come True
At first, Panthers coach Ron Rivera opposed holding the practice with the high school team. But the chance to give young football players an opportunity to learn from professional players changed his mind.
RELATED: The Panthers Are Using A Crazy Contraption To Help Cam Newton Deal With The Pass Rush
“To me it’s about the love of the game and bringing it back to the community,” Rivera said to the Associated Press.
Besides Rivera, the joint practice had to be approved by the NFL, the NCAA and high school officials.
The practice would not have been complete without some trash talk from the preppers, but it was elicited by Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, who coaxed a high school player to talk some smack to reigning NFL MVP Cam Newton.
This event was undoubtedly a great opportunity for the high school football players. Practicing with an NFL team? You can’t beat that.
RELATED: Kelvin Benjamin Looked Swoll In His First Training Camp Action Since Tearing His ACL
The Spartanburg Vikings will join the #Panthers practice today. First time an NFL & high school team share a field. pic.twitter.com/QdEdi0W9Mj
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 4, 2016