City Prepares for the NFC Championship Game

CHARLOTTE, NC — The Panthers will host their first NFC championship game in franchise history Sunday, and preparations are already underway for the big game.

“We’re absolutely, absolutely thrilled to host another NFC game in Charlotte,” says Adam Rhew from Charlotte Center City Partners.  Rhew helped organize displays of pride across the city.

“This is a tremendous advantage for Charlotte; it puts our city in the national spotlight again,” says Rhew.

Bank of America, the Panthers and Charlotte Center City Partners are working to showcase the city in time for the NFC championship game on Sunday.

“We’ve plastered the city with Panthers signs and posters,” says Rhew.  Banners on crosswalks, flags hanging high in Uptown.

Organizers even placing signs in unusual places.

“We were thinking, what better way to let people know that this is a Panthers town than to literally hang the flag from the cranes, some of the highest points to our city?” says Rhew.

Many fans we talked to say it adds to the excitement.

“It’s great exposure and yeah, it’s an exciting time for the whole city,” says Lisa Mack.

It looks empty now, but on Friday Romare Bearden Park will be filled with Panthers fans as the pep rally kicks off, and we understand they plan to have some special guests.

“Can’t say who yet; we do know Panthers will be with us, really pump up the crowd,” says Rhew.

Fans say seeing the Panthers pride across the city makes them proud.

“We’re very proud, and at night the whole city is lit up in blue.  The sheer beauty of that is phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal, and I’m a proud Charlottean, proud North Carolinian and proud Panthers fan,” says Bill Eubanks.