By Zach Goins
August 20, 2021
Photo: Alex Cason
As sports and style become more and more intertwined, a player’s pregame outfit is now just as likely to hit social media feeds as on-field performances. For Carolina Panthers safety Jeremy Chinn, his playing style speaks for itself, but now his fashion style will too.
After a breakout rookie season, Chinn is elevating his wardrobe for his second year, announcing Friday that he will be sporting a different Carolina sports legend’s jersey prior to each home game. Whether they were born in the Carolinas, played college ball here or ended up here in the pros, they’re all fair game. The new tradition will kick off Saturday when Chinn will sport a Muggsy Bogues Charlotte Hornets jersey before the Panthers’ preseason matchup with the Ravens.
.@ChinnJeremy2 joined #GMFB & told us his plan to wear a different Carolina sports legend’s jersey to homes games, get it signed by the athlete (& himself), and auction it off to the athlete’s charity.
We’re SO here for it.
Whose jersey do you want to see him wear this season? pic.twitter.com/4NrhDHV5q2
— GMFB (@gmfb) August 20, 2021
But Chinn’s new wardrobe isn’t just about looking stylish when arriving to the stadium– he’s using it to give back to the community that has welcomed the Indiana product. Following each game, Chinn will get together with that week’s icon and both athletes will sign the jersey, which will then be auctioned off with the proceeds donated to the legend’s charity of choice.
“Since being drafted by the Panthers this community, North and South Carolina have just embraced me and shown so much love,” Chinn said in an interview with NFL Network’s Good Morning Football. “I’ve decided to show love back as far as learning the Carolinas through sports figures.”
Chinn told Panthers.com that he hasn’t planned out all of the jerseys yet, but beyond Bogues there is one jersey he’s particularly excited to wear. When thinking of Carolina sports legends worth getting excited about, one clear name comes to mind: Michael Jordan. But that’s only speculation, considering Chinn didn’t show his cards to either the Panthers or Good Morning Football. The team has even gone so far as to create a submission form on its website where fans can send Chinn suggestions on whose jerseys he should sport.
With two states’ worth of sports history to choose from, the jersey combinations are seemingly endless, but a few fan favorites have become early leaders among campaigners on social media. On the basketball side of things there are plenty of options beyond just Jordan, including a laundry list of legends from collegiate powerhouses like North Carolina, Duke and Wake Forest. From James Worthy to Tim Duncan and Christian Laettner, the possibilities are limitless. If he wants to go for more of a modern twist, Zion Williamson would please constituents from both states, as the Spartanburg high schooler went north to play at Duke.
If Chinn wants to keep things close to home and rep a former Panther, an easy choice would be the late Sam Mills, the legendary linebacker and coach who coined the organization’s “Keep Pounding” mantra. If he wants to ruffle a few feathers– which is highly unlikely– he could even rock the Panthers old No. 1 when Cam Newton and the Patriots come to town on November 7.
After a year of big hits, interceptions and touchdowns, it’s safe to say Chinn is used to turning heads on the field, and now he’s ready to do so off the field, too.
Check out the Carolina Panthers 2021-22 schedule.
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