Charlotte, NC

Despite a losing record, Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson maintained that he has no intention of moving the team anywhere amid reports that Los Angeles local officials have been courting him to make a switch.

"It has always been my desire that the Carolinas would be the home of our Panthers. Nothing has changed," Richardson said in a statement.

"As someone who was born in North Carolina and lived much of my life in South Carolina, I hope that there would be no doubts about my personal devotion to the Carolinas," he added.

It was reported that California political officials have been courting Richardson to bring the Panthers to Los Angeles.

According to reports, some of the discussions between Los Angeles officials and Richardson occurred during the Democratic National Convention, including a conversation with Los Angeles mayor and DNC chairman Antonio Villaraigosa.

The Panthers are working with sports architecture firms on a stadium renovation plan that is expected to be ready at the end of the season.

After Richardson's clarification, the Panthers lost to the Denver Broncos, 38-14, despite two touchdown passes by quarterback Cam Newton.

Broncos playmaker Peyton Manning completed 27 of 38 passes for 301 yards and a touchdown to lead the Broncos to their fourth straight win.

The win solidified the Broncos' grip of first place in AFC West while the Panthers dropped to last in the NFC South with a 2-7 mark.

Newton finished 21-for-36 for 241 yards and two scores but was picked twice, including an interception by Tony Carter that he returned for a 46-yard touchdown that gave the Broncos a 24-7 lead in the third period.

In the fourth period, Matt Prater buried a 27-yard field goal before Mike Adams tackled Newton in the end zone for two points, giving the Broncos a 29-7 advantage.

Newton responded with a five-yard touchdown pass to Greg Olsen but Ronnie Hillman barged his way to a five-yard scoring run for the final count.

 

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