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| Cam Newton celebrates a touchdown vs the Philadelphia Eagles on October 25, 2015. (Jeremy Brevard/USA Today Sports) |
Not since September 2012 has the national media spotlight shined as brightly upon Charlotte, North Carolina as it will tonight.
In September 2012, Charlotte hosted the Democratic National Convention ahead of the U.S. Presidential election.
Tomorrow may be Election Day, but in 2015, the focus is not on politics, but rather on sports as the undefeated Carolina Panthers get set to play their second prime-time game in as many weeks.
Last week, the Carolina Panthers hosted the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football in the second game of a four-game stretch considered by many experts to be their toughest stretch of the season.
The Panthers won that game, 27-16, before a national audience.
Even though the attention is on Charlotte's professional football team during prime time for the second week in a row, local politicians and businessmen are concerned with more than just the outcome of the game.
For the men and women who run the city, and for all Charlotteans, tonight's broadcast is an opportunity for the City of Charlotte to shine on the national stage.
Folks who live in and know the area will see many familiar sights during the game. Fortunately, according to the Charlotte Observer's preview of tonight's Uptown festivities, ESPN camera crews took many of their beautiful shots of Uptown Charlotte over the weekend before the heavy rain settled in:
Entering the game with a record of 6-0, Carolina is the last remaining undefeated team in the NFC. Their guests are the Indianapolis Colts, who have had a disappointing start to their own season with a 3-4 record."ESPN, the Panthers and Wells Fargo, which owns the skyscraper, coordinated so crews could take nighttime shots of the building bathed in blue over the weekend, Wells Fargo spokesman Josh Dunn said.Monday night, an employee will control the lights from a laptop while in a stadium press box, he said.The building will glow in red, white and blue during the National Anthem. Each time the Panthers score a touchdown, the building will light up blue. And when the game ends, the top of the building will shine a blue “V” for victory – if the team wins, of course. If they lose, the building will just stay lit in blue." -- Jonathan McFadden: 704-358-6045, @JmcfaddenObsGov
Somehow, the Colts' record is good enough for first place in the struggling AFC North. Carolina has a two-game lead over the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South.
So tune in to the game tonight -- along with the rest of the country -- to watch a showdown between former No. 1 overall draft picks in QBs Andrew Luck and Cam Newton, but also take notice of the Charlotte skyline and listen to what the commentators have to say about the Queen City of the South.
Then put yourself in the shoes of an executive who is considering relocating her company to Charlotte or a college senior who is debating where to move in six or seven months for his first post-collegiate job.
When you think of it that way, tonight's game is about more than just football and gridiron X's and O's. It's also about Charlotte putting its game plan for success on full display.
Regardless of the final score, tonight will be a Chamber of Commerce night for Charlotte.
My Prediction: Carolina 31, Indianapolis 20
About the Author:
Jimmy Grappone is a Realtor® living in the Charlotte area for nearly a decade. His hobbies include fishing, playing golf, watching football, and helping his clients find their way home. Jimmy is a licensed Realtor® with Allen Tate Company in North Carolina and South Carolina. He is passionate about helping his clients find shelter and having a good time along the way!
Jimmy Grappone is a Realtor® living in the Charlotte area for nearly a decade. His hobbies include fishing, playing golf, watching football, and helping his clients find their way home. Jimmy is a licensed Realtor® with Allen Tate Company in North Carolina and South Carolina. He is passionate about helping his clients find shelter and having a good time along the way!Contact the Author:
Social Media: @jimmygrappone
Online: www.jimmygrappone.com & www.itsjimmyon.blogspot.com
Email: Jimmy.Grappone@AllenTate.com
Phone: 980-298-9385
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