CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As the NFL season approaches, preparation is underway for the Carolina Panthers. Wednesday evening, Bank of America Stadium welcomed hundreds of fans for Fan Fest, an annual event showcasing fireworks, music and football.
One superfan shares his excitement for the season and what he’s hoping for out of the new head coach and quarterback.
It didn’t take long for Hector Cortes to make a name for himself in the Queen City.
“To a lot of people, it’s just sports. But to a lot of us, it’s a way of life. We live and breathe sports,” Cortes explained.
He said it started as a way to give tribute to his Hispanic heritage, when he wore a sombrero to a game in Charlotte.
“I took it to a game and they put me on the jumbotron and dance cam. I started dancing, people went crazy and that’s how ‘Sombrero Man’ started,” Cortes said.
Now, whether it’s the Hornets, Charlotte FC or the Panthers, you can spot him in the crowd sporting his sombrero, and he’s already laying out his “Los Panthers” sombrero for the first game. Cortes says as the team gears up for the upcoming season, he’s most excited to see new faces on the field.
“Just to see the new blood, that new hunger that Bryce Young is going to bring to the team; the new energy, and of course Coach Reich. I’m super excited about that. That combo is going to be phenomenal. He was a quarterback coach, and now we have a brand new quarterback. I’m excited,” Cortes said.
Bank of America Stadium held the annual Fan Fest Wednesday night, giving fans a preview of what to expect for the upcoming season.
The first home game for the Panthers is Sept. 18 against the New Orleans Saints.