This week’s Friday night news dump featured a vague story involving the Panthers conducting an investigation into allegations of workplace misconduct regarding team owner Jerry Richardson. This morning, Sports Illustrated dropped an article just minutes before the Panthers took the field to play the Packers that the NFL would be taking over the investigation.
The article details what some employees described as a “running office joke” in which Richardson would go around on “Jeans Day” to female employees and ask them to turn around while he made extremely inappropriate remarks. One former employee described his behavior as a “creepy old man”.
Allegedly, former employees had filed complaints against Richardson. Most were for sexual misconduct, while another allegedly claimed that Richardson used a racial slur against a former employee. To make them go away, Richardson gave out financial settlements along with non-disclosure agreements so that none of his accusers could ever go public. Sports Illustrated claims to be aware of four former Panthers employees who received such settlements. Former employees explain that Richardson’s actions started off with compliments, often writing handwritten notes to female employees. It then progressed to inappropriate comments about their appearance, offering money for manicures, allegedly asking if he could shave their legs, and even allegedly asking one employee for a foot massage.
When the team drafted quarterback Cam Newton, he had a conversation with Richardson who asked if he had any tattoos or piercings. When he told him no that he did not, Richardson told him to “keep it that way”. After today’s game, Newton spoke to the media about his relationship with the team owner, calling him a “father-like” figure. Defensive back Captain Munnerlyn said that he had never experienced Richardson being racially insensitive nor inappropriate behavior with other employees.
The team posted this letter from Richardson tonight on their website, just hours after the Panthers beat the Green Bay Packers.
Photo Credit: panthers.com
It is incredibly brave for these accusers to speak out. Despite the #MeToo movement going on in this country, it should not be forgotten how difficult it is for men and/or women to speak out against powerful men’s misconduct at work. In this case, this man is considered a local hero who worked hard to build a fortune and even has a statue outside of the stadium. None of that matters and the NFL has to show that it has a zero tolerance policy for misconduct by owners. Similar to the NBA’s lifetime ban on Donald Sterling, Richardson has no place in the NFL.
According to Sports Illustrated, the Panthers have not waived those non-disclosure agreements that the accusers signed. Interim GM Marty Hurney also made a statement regarding the news of the sale.
https://twitter.com/JourdanRodrigue/status/942565427020009473
