CARDIAC CATS In 2003 the Carolina Panthers mastered the art of winning close games Including the playoffs 14 of their 20 games were decided by six points or fewer Nervous Panthers fans began calling them The Cardiac Cats for the heart stopping drama at the end of most of their games One of their most exciting games was in the playoffs against the St Louis Rams The Panthers led by 11 points with less than three minutes to go but the Rams tied it on a last second field goal In overtime each team had a chance to win but missed a field goal Then the Panthers won it with a long touchdown pass on the first play of the second overtime period
Members of the Panthers celebrate after their double overtime playoff victory over the St Louis Rams
A week later the Panthers upset the Philadelphia Eagles to reach the Super Bowl for the first time The New England Patriots came into the game as seven point favorites And they came out strong But the Panthers kept answering With a little over a minute to go Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme hit wide receiver Ricky Proehl for a 12 yard touchdown The extra point kick tied the game 29 29 It looked like the Cardiac Cats might force the Super Bowl into overtime for the first time ever Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme throws a pass against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl
Ricky Proehl's game tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter gave the Panthers championship hopes a boost
