CHARLOTTE, N.C. (News Release) — The Carolina Panthers and Xenex Disinfection Services, the world leader in ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection for hospitals, have partnered to donate a LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robot to the Charlotte 49ers Athletic Department.
LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robots use pulsed xenon to create intense bursts of broad spectrum UV light that quickly destroys viruses and bacteria on surfaces. The Panthers used LightStrike devices to disinfect rooms and areas in the Bank of America stadium throughout the 2020 football season as part of their strategy to minimize risk for players and personnel from exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19).
The Panthers and Xenex are donating a robot dubbed “NUGGET” in a nod to Charlotte’s 49ers nickname and mascot, Norm the Niner. Charlotte will use NUGGET to disinfect locker rooms, training rooms, weight rooms, and team meeting rooms.
“We are extremely grateful for the donation from the Carolina Panthers and Xenex to provide such a useful tool in the continuing efforts to disinfect our athletic facilities,” said Cass Ferguson, Assistant A.D. for Facilities and Events at Charlotte. “The Xenex LightStrike robot provides another tool in caring for our Student-Athletes, staff and visitors.”
The Panthers and Xenex presented the robot to the Charlotte staff on Friday, March 12, 2021 during a socially-distanced event on campus in the 49ers football locker room.
“We are pleased to partner with Xenex to provide Charlotte Athletics with its very own disinfection robot,” said Riley Fields, director of community relations for the Carolina Panthers. “The Panthers chose Xenex disinfecting robots when preparing for the 2020 season because they provided the best UV disinfecting solution for us and allowed quick sanitization of areas frequented by players, staff and fans. The robots have proven to be an important part of our team’s cleaning and disinfection strategy, and now the 49ers will benefit from this same technology in their athletic facilities.”
