WS Chronicle

The Triad Panthers is a local semi-pro football team who will play their games at Carver High School stadium this year.  Last Saturday, they held a community outreach event where they gave out snacks and drinks to the people of the eastern part of the city.

The Panthers were joined by 102 JAMZ radio station along with a surprise visit from Council Member Denise “D.D.” Adams.  The event was held at the old Burger King on the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. and East Fifth Street.

“We did this today just to give back to the community and to also give the guys who never got a chance the hope that you can still live your dream and maybe make it to the next level,” said team president and player James Summers.

Summers is a veteran of multiple semi-pro football teams over the years.  He says as his career winds down he wanted to go out on his own terms so he and some friends decided to put together their own team and the Triad Panthers were born.

“The vision is here now and the people that were selected for this team are from different backgrounds representing the entire Triad area,” Summers continued.  “We are going to go out there and put on a show for the people in Winston-Salem.”

Panther player Wil Miller is a native of Winston-Salem.  He says he takes a lot of pride in playing in front of his hometown people.

“We are here to stay and we are very exciting,” Miller said.  “We do a lot more for the community than what people know.  We do food drives and other community events to make sure we continue to give back to those who support us.”

Kenneth Patten, Panther middle linebacker, says one of the best things about the team is many guys have the opportunity to renew their careers after they have left the sport for a few years. 

“It feels good to come out here because a lot of guys are from the area so for us to be able to do this for the community with snacks and drinks is good,” said Patten.  “We are proud to have this team out here because a lot of our youth are misguided and now we have a place for people to come instead of out here getting in trouble.”

According to Summers, Panthers head coach Will Pompey and offensive coordinator Reggie Jones are two of the best in the business.  He feels with them at the helm the Panthers have a good shot in their first year being in the Coastal Football Association.

“We like to do things for the community to make sure we give back if nothing else,” said Jones.  “My hope is that the community comes out to support us because I have high expectations from the young men on the team this year.”

Councilwoman Adams came out and spoke with the team about the importance of their presence in the community.  She implored them to set a positive example for the young men and women coming up behind them. 

“You guys are out here today leading by example and I am just so proud of you,” Adams said in reference to the team’s presence in the community Saturday afternoon.  “You all are the next kings and queens of the world and people are looking up to you.”

The Panthers kick their season off this Saturday at Carver High School with a jamboree.  The games begin at 2 p.m.