Giant panthers statues with emerald eyes and golden teeth roar outside Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. The panther statues are mascots of professional American NFL football team The Carolina Panthers represents North Carolina and South Carolina from its hometown of Charlotte, NC. The Carolina Panthers are members of the NFL's National Football Conference South Division. The Charlotte professional football team began playing in Charlotte in 1995 as an expansion team. The Carolina Panthers play in Bank of America Stadium, formerly known as Carolinas Stadium and Ericsson Stadium.