Carolina Panthers: DFW's Newest Addition

[Reginald Rutledge]

The last owner of the Carolina Panthers was Chris Woods. I dedicated my 2007 run to the title to Chris. We won the title last year.

Chris was the son of Pep Woods. He tragically committed suicide last year at the age of 14 years old, the age of my son Reginald.

Chris and I were really close. Rose and I loved him like our own son. He use to stay at our house and go eat with my family. Before the Shootout last year, Chris asked me if he could stay home (and his Dad) and help on the 308s for the Shootout. Chris and I talked about school and what's going on in his lately. Shortly thereafter, he was dead. I had given Chris a team of Panthers to play with in the league. He had some other Panthers but he insisted on using my Panthers. When he won, he won with the Panthers I gave him. When he lost, he lost with the other Panthers.

Chris had all the ingredients to be a great coach. He loved the game. He had enthusiasm and wanted to learn. Michael Robertson and myself took a special interest in Chris and wanted to teach him so much about the game. It never materialized.

It would be an honor to have such a good guy like yourself Joel, come into the league with the Carolina franchise. We do still consider each franchise to have history even though someone else may own them. So we think you will carry the Panthers tradition to greater scales. We look forward to you competing for the DFW Championship and want you not to get frustrated on your battles up the ladder. We know you will do great.

I love the Panthers. You did a great job and I know Chris would be proud to have you take over that franchise as well.

Reginald Rutledge
DFW Founder 1995

[canadatabletopgames]

...nuff said.

Good job Reg


Benster

[joel_p1]

Wow. I had no idea about what happened. No one told me about that and I can see it was probably a touchy subject. I will try to take the franchise and do them proud in Chris's honor. This inspires me to work even harder on getting them ready and I work alittle more on them every day. Its taken me 2 weeks just to come up with 8 different bases that would make the team. Only 40 more to go.. But believe me they will be ready..Joel

[rjackson]

....I plan on scrapping them Panthers up a little next year....Wow is right about the story!!! Didn't know myself!!!

First let me say that Joel's Panthers look tremendous. Joel you've got skillz my friend. I did know about Chris Woods tragedy. I spoke to Pep after the funeral to give his family our condolences. I was worried about Pep for a long while, until I read about his dramatic return to the Texas Shootout. Pep played like a Champion. I know this hobby can't begin to fill the hole in his heart, but at least he can continue playing something he and his son loved so much. Joel you're a great fit to run with a franchise that is so beloved in that league. I wish you great success.

Originally Posted by joel_p1

Its taken me 2 weeks just to come up with 8 different bases that would make the team. Only 40 more to go.. But believe me they will be ready..Joel

Joel,

When I'm putting together a Championship caliber squad I'm lucky if I get 4 different bases in 2 weeks that make my team. This shows me that you're on the right track my friend. Don't lower your standards so that any base makes your team; raise your standards so that only the right bases make your team.

Peace,

Don Smith

[Coach K-LO]

Originally Posted by joel_p1

Its taken me 2 weeks just to come up with 8 different bases that would make the team. Only 40 more to go.. But believe me they will be ready..Joel

I know the feeling!! I wonder what the first bases to make your team?? Most of the time for me it's sometimes a skill position that get's signed first.

Joel,

Those Panthers look great. I'm sure that they will represent Chris Woods and would have made him proud.

Wally