Jerry Richardson

Jerry Richardson transitioned from an NFL player to a successful entrepreneur, ultimately founding and owning the Carolina Panthers. After being recognized as a Little All-America selection twice in 1957 and 1958 at Wofford College, Jerry Richardson set school records for single-game receiving yards with 241 yards in 1956 and career touchdown receptions with 21. Drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the 13th round of the 1959 NFL draft, Richardson earned Colt Rookie of the Year honors in 1959 and caught a touchdown pass in the 1959 NFL Championship Game. Leveraging his 1959 NFL championship bonus, Richardson transitioned into entrepreneurship, co-founding Spartan Foods by opening the first Hardee’s franchise in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with college teammate Charles Bradshaw in 1961.

He purchased the naming rights to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s football field in 2011, which was named Jerry Richardson Stadium in 2013. He funded the Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Center for the Arts at Wofford College in 2016 and the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium at Wofford College in 2017. In 2021, he made a record-setting $150 million donation to Wofford College for financial scholarships, with total contributions to the institution exceeding $260 million.