No Expectations No Disappointment Panthers Fans Rank Amongst The Least Heartbroken Over The 2023 Season
It’s hard to be a Panthers fan in recent years. If you’re still going to the games, wearing the gear, and getting emotionally invested in the games I applaud you. I love football. I love the Panthers, and have gone to games since I was a small child. But even I am disinterested in the team these days. In my opinion David Tepper, the decisions he’s made as owner, the way he’s treated the fans and city, and the consistent overall lack of success in recent years can create apathy. And that’s what I and I know a lot of other Panthers fans have felt in recent years. Instead of getting your hopes up, it’s easier to tune in with no expectations. That way you can’t be heartbroken. Which is why when I was sent this study I wasn’t shocked when Panthers fans weren’t among the most heartbroken fans in the NFL.
You have to have expectations to be disappointed. It’s as simple as that. Our friends at The Sports Geek looked at which fanbases have been the most heartbroken after the 2023 NFL season. They did this by analyzing how many heartbroken were made posts online mentioning each team NFL team. And according to the research Carolina Panthers fans ranked 5th lowest when it comes to the number of ‘heartbroken’ posts in the NFL this season. Does this mean like me fans have just refused to be emotionally invested? Have fans stopped watching all together? I bet it’s both of those and perhaps other reasons as well.
Here is the data provided by The Sports Geek that shows how each NFL team handled heartbreak this season:
| Rank | Team | Number of Heartbroken posts |
| 1 | Dallas Cowboys | 389,150 |
| 2 | Philadelphia Eagles | 383,230 |
| 3 | Buffalo Bills | 331,930 |
| 4 | Detroit Lions | 315,030 |
| 5 | Miami Dolphins | 298,290 |
| 6 | Baltimore Ravens | 296,810 |
| 7 | New York Jets | 267,400 |
| 8 | Green Bay Packers | 230,150 |
| 9 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 222,330 |
| 10 | Chicago Bears | 216,930 |
| 11 | San Francisco 49ers | 196,490 |
| 12 | Cleveland Browns | 173,510 |
| 13 | Kansas City Chiefs | 170,280 |
| 14 | New York Giants | 166,210 |
| 15 | Seattle Seahawks | 166,060 |
| 16 | Denver Broncos | 155,060 |
| 17 | Minnesota Vikings | 146,960 |
| 18 | Houston Texans | 144,970 |
| 19 | Cincinnati Bengals | 139,390 |
| 20 | New England Patriots | 137,790 |
| 21 | Los Angeles Chargers | 130,550 |
| 22 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 127,070 |
| 23 | Las Vegas Raiders | 123,570 |
| 24 | Washington Commanders | 120,930 |
| 25 | Tennessee Titans | 113,870 |
| 26 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 109,120 |
| 27 | Los Angeles Rams | 96,460 |
| 28 | Carolina Panthers | 93,000 |
| 29 | Atlanta Falcons | 86,740 |
| 30 | Indianapolis Colts | 83,620 |
| 31 | New Orleans Saints | 76,220 |
| 32 | Arizona Cardinals | 73,550 |
Even more interesting than Dallas being number one, is 3 of 4 NFC South teams in the bottom five. Seems like the entire division’s fans have given up. I can’t blame them, the division has been waiting for a power contender since Brady’s departure from Tampa. It’s open someone just needs to step up and take it! Will next year be better? I hope I’m surprised. Until then Panthers fans I’ll try to avoid being heartbroken and continue going in with zero expectations. If we win I get to enjoy it, but if we don’t I won’t be disappointed. Go Panthers (please please please surprise me in 2024).
Thanks to our friends at The Sports Geek for sharing their research with us. You can view the view study here.
Not A Panthers Fan? Here's Where To Watch Your Favorite NFL Team In Charlotte North Carolina
Arizona Cardinals
You’re on your own kid if you’re an Arizona Cardinals fan. If you own a sports bar or restaurant consider adopting the Cardinals fans. I do know a few!
Atlanta Falcons
Sorry Falcon’s fans, there isn’t a dedicated Falcon’s bar in the Queen City. You can request to join the private Facebook group Charlotte Atlanta Falcon’s Fans which may include meet-up locations!
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens fans in Charlotte spend game days at Crown Station Pub (3629 N. Davidson St). Crown Station is home to the Queen City Ravens Nest fan group.
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills fans your go-to spot on game day in Southend’s Tavern On The Tracks. Located at 1411 S. Tryon Street Tavern on the Tracks has been the longtime home of the Charlotte Bills Backers!
Chicago Bears
Bubba’s Bunkhouse in Harrisburg is the home of Beardown Charlotte. Enjoy southern comfort food while cheering on the Bears!
Cincinnati Bengals
Are you a Bengals fan in Charlotte? Or just enjoy watching Joe Burrow (guilty)? Watch the game with other Bengals fans at Greystone Pub at 3039 South Blvd.
Cleveland Browns
Perhaps it’s a different Ohio team you are cheering for on Sundays. If your team is the Cleveland Browns (my sympathies as you’ve dealt with a lot) you’ll want to visit Protagonist LoSo on game day.
Dallas Cowboys
Sorry, first I have to ask have you even been to Dallas? If you’re a Cowboys fan please stay amongst your own kind at 1st and Goal Sports Bar in the University area.
Denver Broncos
There are either a ton of Denver fans in Charlotte or they just travel well even when the team is struggling because Bank of America Stadium was orange last year when the Broncos came to town. The weekly gathering spot is Duckworth’s at Rea Farms!
Detroit Lions
Lions fans you’re game day spot is in Plaza Midwood. Hattie’s Tap & Tavern is the home for Detroit Lions fans in Charlotte.
Green Bay Packers
Cheeseheads unite! Those of you who migrated south can still watch the Packers with fellow fans at Blackfinn Ameripub in Ballantyne.
Houston Texans
If you’re looking to have a fan meet-up for the Houston Texans, you’ll have to create your own. Currently, there is not an official bar or organized fan group.
Indianapolis Colts
I’m shocked there isn’t a fan group or bar for the Colts. Seems like a great opportunity for someone to start one!
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville is just a 5-hour drive from Charlotte. But there must not be too many Jags fans here. With Clemson star Trevor Lawrence at the helm for the Jaguars there has to be a sizable fan base in the Charlotte area. But as of now, no official Jacksonville Jaguars bar.
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs fans can cheer on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs at the Kilted Buffalo. The Charlotte Chiefs Fans group takes over this Plaza Midwood spot weekly.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have bounced around from market to market throughout their history. The fans that have stuck with them and made their way to Charlotte spend gamedays at Club House Kitchen & Cocktails on Central Ave.
Los Angeles Chargers
Unfortunately there isn’t a Chargers bar for fans (if there are any) in Charlotte. After leaving San Diego for LA I don’t think there are too many in California either!
Los Angeles Rams
Relocated LA football teams must not have much of a fanbase in the Carolinas. The Rams fans are also without a gameday home in Charlotte.
Miami Dolphins
Phins up! Cheering on the Dolphins in Charlotte? You’ll have to be at Midnight Mulligan Brewing with the rest of the Charlotte Dolfans Club.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are the only NFC North team without a Charlotte place to call home. There have to be fans who have escaped the Minnesota winters somewhere though!
New England Patriots
New Englanders you’ll have to go a little south of Charlotte to Fort Mill to cheer on your team. You’ll find the home of the Patriots at Mulligan’s Sports Bar & Grille.
New Orleans Saints
Charlotte has seemingly unanimously avoided welcoming fans of any other NFC South Team. It must not be worth the boycott from Panthers fans that could be placed on any establishment supporting a rival team. There is a Facebook group of brave Saints fans in the Queen City however called New Orleans Saints Fans of Charlotte.
New York Giants
There is no shortage of Giants fans in the Carolinas. Especially with former Duke QB Daniel Jones at the helm of the team. The Local in uptown Charlotte is where the local Giants Fans congregate on gameday.
New York Jets
If there are Giants fans there are Jets fans. If the other NY team is the one you fancy, hang out with like-minded fellow fans at Dillworth Neighborhood Grille.
Philadelphia Eagles
Steamers Sports Pub on Pierson Dr is the Charlotte home of the Eagles. Rise up, is another Super Bowl run in the works?
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers fans you’ll have to share you’re bar with the Jets. Dilworth Neighborhood Grille hosts both fan groups weekly.
San Francisco 49ers
Niner Empire of Charlotte is the 49ers fan group locally. RSVP Southend is where the game watch parties take place.
Seattle Seahawks
I was a 10-year Seahawks fan thanks to Russel Wilson and it was a fun time! Lucky Lou’s Tavern on Park Road is where the 12th Man hangs out in Charlotte!
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sorry Bucs fans, rivalries don’t let you have a welcome spot in the Carolinas. At least you get to see your team play here once a year.
Tennessee Titans
I’m shocked that there isn’t a Titans bar in Charlotte. But luckily Nashville is just a short flight from Charlotte to get your football fix.
Washington Commanders
Last but not least is the team a lot of North Carolinians cheered for prior to the Panthers. If you want to cheer on the Commanders and former Panthers coach Ron Rivera you can do so at Jack Beagles on Morehead.
