CHARLOTTE – A half-dozen Panthers players got Friday to play some video games, but it wasn't in a typical setting.
The players gathered at Levine Children's Hospital to help the team donate eight Xbox 360 Kinects systems. The NFL recently gave eight Xboxs to each team.
"It's awesome to see the players playing with the kids," said Carrie Keuten, event coordinator for Levine Children's Hospital. "These systems will allow more kids to play games, including kids who have limited use of their hands. We just witnessed some therapy sessions with these, and the guys played as a team with some of the patients. It was fun to watch that."
Keith Proctor's 3-year old son Rhys was among those who spent quality time with the players and Sir Purr. Rhys had a heart procedure at the hospital Tuesday.
"I think it's very good that they come out and donate their time to these kids," Proctor said. "A lot of kids spend a lot of time here."
Kids like 10-year-old Skylar Wofford, who has been in and out of Levine since being diagnosed with a kidney condition in 2010.
"We love seeing the players," Skylar's mother, LaVerne Jackson, said. "We love them, but we just want to run into them at the grocery store instead of places like this."
But Panthers players, of course, plan to return. Cornerback D.J. Moore, who signed with the team in late March, has already visited the hospital twice.
"For me personally, it means a lot to bring smiles to kids' faces," Moore said.
In addition to Moore, defensive end Frank Alexander, offensive tackle Byron Bell, defensive tackle Frank Kearse, cornerback Josh Norman and running back Armond Smith took part in the event.
