Below is an excerpt from ESPN.com that discusses the NFL’s Carolina Panthers recent request to have “Nature Boy” Ric Flair on their sidelines for their upcoming Playoff game against the New England Patriots in Charlotte next weekend.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cam Newton may be on his way to becoming the most recognized celebrity/athlete in Charlotte, but the third-year Carolina Panthers quarterback isn’t there yet.
To borrow a phrase from the person he has to surpass: “To be the man, you gotta beat the man.”
WOOOOOOO!!!Yes, Ric Flair.
When you talk about institutions in the Queen City, the 16-time heavyweight wrestling champion, often described in these parts as the platinum blond deity, remains king.
So it seems only fitting that the Panthers (12-4) have adopted “The Nature Boy’s” famous “WOOOOOOO” that he uses to taunt opponents.
Cornerback Drayton Florence actually came up with the idea one day in practice. He suggested that the defensive backs break with two claps and a “WOOOOOOO!”
Next thing you know the linebackers were doing it. Then the entire defense was doing it. Then the offense wanted to get involved.
Eventually, it led to whoever gets the game ball following a victory having to give two claps followed by the entire team going “WOOOOOO!”
Newton somewhere along the line began adding “and the Nature Boy” after a slight pause. Here’s a sample from the Panthers.com website.
“It’s exciting to hear,” Newton said. “It’s exciting to say it and exciting to do … It’s a tribute to what he does. It’s kind of something of a rejoice when you say it.”
And yes, Newton grew up a fan.
“Who didn’t grow up watching WWF, WCW and having Ric Flair slap somebody’s chest and go, ‘WOOOOOOO?'” Newton said.
Flair has yet to give a pregame locker room pep talk, and it’s doubtful he will be available for the Jan. 12 playoff game because of a prior engagement.
But Florence is doing his best to arrange something, if not for the 12th then the NFC championship if the second-seeded Panthers win and top-seeded Seattle loses to put the game in Charlotte.
“He’s the man,” Florence said of Flair. “We want the man to join us.”
Flair did send a phone message via Mario Addison, who ran into him at a local Taco Mac, that the defensive end played for the team before the Monday night game against New England.
Legacy Talent and Entertainment, which represents Flair, put the message to music and pictures on the wrestler’s Facebook page.
“Hey boys, it’s The Nature Boy Ric Flair calling you live from Atlanta, Ga.,” Flair said in the message. “Tonight’s the night guys. The New England Patriots are in town. Who cares? It’s Carolina Panther time guys. And remember, tonight is the night, and to be the team you’ve got to be the team.
“Cam Newton, athletic gifts unparalleled. Steve Smith, the baddest man in the NFL. My good buddy Mario, you guys do it tonight. Remember, to be the team, you’ve got to beat the team. And right now you are the team, and will be all night long. Let’s do it guys. Let’s have two claps and a Ric Flair WOOOOOOO! Go Panthers. WOOOOOOO!”
