MUNICH — David Tepper needed a wooden mallet and some instructions. But with assistance from a German bartender and in front of a packed house of black-and-blue clad fans, the Carolina Panthers’ owner tapped an oaken keg Friday to kick off the team’s weekend in this Bavarian capital.
Tepper took a sip of the freshly tapped lager, raised his stein — emblazoned with a Panthers logo, naturally — and led the crowd in a “Keep Pounding” chant. With a who’s who of Panthers greats joining Tepper and his wife Nicole behind the bar, the DJ broke out “Sweet Caroline” and the Augistiner Stammhaus bier hall got loud.
Welcome to Munich, which the Panthers plan to make their second home for the weekend — and hopefully a lot longer.
“Sweet Caroline” travels well. pic.twitter.com/QdjiUt7XXV
— Joe Person (@josephperson) November 8, 2024
While Panthers’ fans partied alongside Hall of Famer Julius Peppers, Steve Smith, Thomas Davis, Jon Beason and Luke Kuechly, the current players were getting ready to head to the campus of FC Bayern Munich for a light practice.
On Sunday, they’ll face the New York Giants at Allianz Arena in the second international game in Panthers history. It’s a game that’s been nearly three years in the making.
The Panthers were one of four…
