North Carolina Golf Icon To Be Honored By Sports Hall Of Fame

Johnny Harris is going from the fairways of Quail Hollow Club to the halls of The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.  And honestly, I can't believe he hasn't been honored already.  I mean, we're talking about a man who is 100% responsible for bringing the single greatest annual sports event to the Charlotte area, The Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament on the PGA Tour.  This had led to multiple stagings of one of golf's major championships (The PGA Championship) and one of its premier team events (The President's Cup) in the Queen City as well.

Mr. Harris is slated to receive The Don Fish Legacy Award during the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame 's 60th Induction Celebration on May 10 at the Charlotte Convention Center.   This award is given to a person or organization that has significantly improved the sports landscape in North Carolina.  Again, how has it taken this long?!

I've known Johnny Harris professionally for more than 15 years.  Every time I've interviewed him, I've come away the same feelings.  One, gosh this guy just loves golf and bringing the best golfers in the world to his town and club.  And two, Johnny Harris "gets it."  By that, I mean this.  Nearly every time I speak with Mr. Harris, no matter how successful the Wells Fargo Championship, PGA Championship, of President's Cup has been, all he wants to talk about is the meeting set to come with his team about how to be better the next time.

Also, whether it's expanding the amount given or number of charities that benefit from his events or becoming a mecca for North Carolina kids' "Drive Chip and Putt" contest (see above picture), Johnny Harris has raised giving back to his community to the next level.  Still more evidence his forthcoming honor from the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

When Mr. Harris is honored by the Hall in May it will be quite the soiree considering others being honored that night.

• Steve Smith Sr.: The career leader in touchdowns, receptions and receiving yards for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.
• Bob McKillop: A Davidson College basketball coach that has amassed 634 wins and 10 NCAA Tournament appearances.
• Jim Nantz: A Charlotte native who won three Emmys as a CBS broadcaster.
• Pettis Norman: A Charlotte native who played for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers (1962-1973).

Congratulations to all of these worthy inductees and major congratulations to Johnny Harris.  On May 10th, he will receive The Don Fish Legacy Award during the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame 's 60th Induction Celebration at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Six players who spent time with the Carolina Panthers could be going to Canton, Ohio. WCNC-TV reports that the former Panthers are on a list of 129 players who have been nominated for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2023.

The list is comprised of modern-era players who have played within the last 25 NFL seasons, so you shouldn't have any trouble remembering the former Panthers pictured below. Most of them played on the team that went to Super Bowl XXXVIII, including WR Steve Smith Sr., QB Jake Delhomme, WR Muhsin Muhammad, K John Kasay, and OT Jordan Gross. CB Charles "Peanut" Tillman only played one season with the Panthers, but it was during their second Super Bowl run in 2015. He spent most of his career with the Chicago Bears.