McCaffrey, Tepper drop in on Zoom classes, surprise kids, teachers with game tickets

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools were treated to big surprises on Tuesday when Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper and running back Christian McCaffrey visited their classes to give teachers and students tickets to Sunday’s game.

McCaffrey joined Christine Schonour and her class from Irwin Academic Center via Zoom.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to have fans at our games so far this year, but that’s changing this week,” McCaffrey said. “And I know Mrs. Schonour is a big Carolina Panthers fan, so I want to formally invite you guys to be some of the first people to come into this stadium this year, and we want you to be extremely loud. We can’t wait to see you there. I hope to come and say hello from a distance.”

Tepper joined kindergarten teacher Kimberly Bellamy and her colleagues from Statesville Road Elementary on Zoom to invite them to the game.

“I know things have been tough in the pandemic,” Tepper said. “I really appreciate the dedication you have. I love teachers. We’d like to invite you to the game this Sunday.”

The Panthers are also providing masks, parking passes, food and gift bags for the students and teachers.

The Panthers are set to take on the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium Sunday. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, fans were not allowed at the first home game. Around 5,000 fans are expected to attend Sunday’s game, which is about 7% of the stadium’s capacity.

Watch the video below to see McCaffrey join Schonour and her class from Irwin Academic Center on Zoom:

Panthers McCaffrey drops in on Zoom class, surprises students with game tickets

Cox Media Group