Good morning. In less than 7 hours, Panthers fans from here will join others from around the world. And you will be watching the largest football battle in this history of mankind.

Mankind — that word should have new meaning for all of us today.

We can’t be consumed by our petty differences anymore.

We will be united in our common interests.

Perhaps its fate that today is the 7th of September, and you will once again be fighting for the NFC south, not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution — but from annihilation.

We’re fighting for our right to win, to exist.

And should we win the day, the NFL opening day will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when Panther fans declared in one voice:

“We will not go quietly into the night!

We will not vanish without a fight!

We’re going to live on!

We’re going to survive!”

Today, we celebrate our PANTHERS GAMEDAY!