CHARLOTTE - The Carolina Panthers will be honoring those who have had their lives impacted by cancer during the team's annual Keep Pounding game on Sunday, November 3.
The team's efforts are part of the NFL-wide Crucial Catch initiative, a recent expansion of the impact of the NFL's work around breast cancer to address multiple types of cancer through early detection and risk reduction. Throughout the year, the Panthers and the NFL partner with the American Cancer Society as regional high schools and elementary schools raise money for cancer research. Each year, the Carolinas have led the entire country in this effort, showing the determination that Panthers fans have to help stamp out cancer.
Beginning on Tuesday, the Panthers will be telling the story of how the term Keep Pounding first came to be, highlighting Sam Mills locker room speech in 2004 and the legacy that lives on after his death through the Keep Pounding Fund which supports cancer research efforts at Atrium Health. Mills' son and Carolina's defensive line coach, Sam Mills III, talks about how the mantra and chant has evolved into something more universal that binds Panthers fans together around the world.
The team is also now selling Keep Pounding merchandise for the first time, with a portion of all proceeds going directly to the Keep Pounding Fund. Click here to purchase and contribute to an important cause.
On Tuesday, the Panthers rookies went to Levine Children's Hospital dressed in Halloween costumes. In what has become a heartening annual tradition, the young Panthers players bonded with children battling illnesses and helped bring joy to their day.
Sunday's Keep Pounding game against the Titans will have a number of special moments for fans to recognize the universal fight against cancer. Prior to the game, the Panthers will host 21 children from the Levine Children's Hospital who will get special access before the game on the sidelines.
The national anthem singer will be Carolyn Malachi, a Grammy-nominated R&B songstress from Washington, D.C. whose mother is currently undergoing intense cancer treatment.
Halftime will feature Rayshun Lamarr, a North Carolina native and lymphoma and multicentric Castleman's disease survivor. A former contestant on The Voice, he lost much of his hearing, vision and voice before two years of intense treatment.
Fans at the game will have the opportunity to display placards with messages of hope and endurance for a special moment during halftime. Fans can also write on the placards a name of a friend or loved one who they are supporting or remembering in the fight against cancer.
In order to come be a part of the Keep Pounding game on Sunday, click here to purchase tickets.
