Carolina Panthers Hall of Shame: Worst breakup and more

After celebrating the Panthers by highlighting their players who someday could be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, we flip the script to give you Carolina's Hall of Shame. 

Worst breakup: Jerry Richardson

Richardson cemented his legacy on the Mount Rushmore of toxic team owners when a bombshell 2017 Sports Illustrated report detailed allegations of sexual misconduct, hush payments and racist remarks by the Panthers longtime owner. 

Richardson announced he was selling the team the same day the SI article was published, and he eventually sold to David Tepper in May 2018 for $2.2 billion. After an NFL investigation into his conduct, Richardson was fined $2.75 million, barely a dent in how much he made in the sale.

Worst draft pick: WR Rae Carruth

Drafted 27th overall in 1997, Carruth mustered only 62 receptions and 804 yards in three seasons. As unexceptional as he was on the field, Carruth was worse off it. 

In 1999, he orchestrated the murder of his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams, and was found guilty of conspiracy to murder in 2001. Before dying from her injuries, Adams told investigators that Carruth was involved, leading to his arrest and conviction. 

Carruth spent 18 years in prison. He was released in 2018. 

Worst free-agent signing: Defensive end Chuck Smith

Smith joined the Panthers after a strong eight-year career with Atlanta, where he's fourth on the team's all-time sack list (58.5). After he signed a five-year, $21.5 million contract with Carolina in February 2000, head coach George Seifert said, "We definitely have great expectations." 

Smith, however, played two games for the Panthers — recording one tackle and no sacks — before a knee injury forced the team to place him on injured reserve in October 2000. He was released the following July. 

While the injury was unfortunate, some saw it coming. Per the New York Times at the time of his release, "Despite medical warning signs about his arthritic knee that caused many teams to shy from signing him, the Panthers gave Smith a $4.5 million signing bonus." 

He was also named one of the worst free-agency signings of all time by NFL.com.

Worst coach: Matt Rhule

For every Pete Carroll and Jimmy Johnson, there's Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier, Urban Meyer and Rhule, successful college coaches who have failed at coaching in the NFL.

Among those who coached at least 16 games for Carolina, Rhule posted a franchise-worst .289 winning percentage. Carolina fired him five games into the 2022 season, and while he wasn't given much to work with, the most damning aspect of Rhule's tenure is that the Panthers showed stunning improvement after he left. Over the final 12 games of the season, Carolina went 6-6 after a 1-4 start.