Smoky Mountain High School Ribbon Cutting
Panthers celebrate ribbon cutting for Smoky Mountain High School's new football field, which was funded in part by a $200,000 NFL Grassroots field grant from the Panthers.

The Panthers helped celebrate the ribbon cutting for Smoky Mountain High School's (Sylva, N.C.) new football field, funded in part by a $200,000 NFL Grassroots field grant from the Panthers.

Cheerleaders were first to take the field.

The new Babe Howell Field will serve the broader Jackson County community, including youth football teams.

Carolina Panthers Director of Community Relations Riley Fields addresses the hundreds of school supporters that enjoyed the unveiling.

The new field will be home to 19 different athletic teams and community groups.

The Smoky Mountain Mustangs christened the new Babe Howell Field at Carr Hooper Stadium with an opening night victory against Swain County.

Jackson County officials celebrate the Panthers $200,000 NFL Grassroots grant during initial construction phase of the new field this past spring.