Panthers WR Robby Anderson on Week 16 boos: ‘We don’t want no fake fans’
As evidenced by his untimely first-down celebrations during yesterday’s beatdown, Carolina Panthers wideout Robby Anderson always keeps it real. And he it kept it real on Monday, even if that meant calling out some of the team’s “faithful.”
When speaking with reporters via video call (due to the “somewhat significant” COVID-19 spread amongst some Panthers players), Anderson pointed out a particularly bothersome moment from the Week 16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He let it be known that he did not take too kindly to the fans booing, then cheering, quarterback Sam Darnold in his return.
“One thing I didn’t like, and it’s just what it is, Sam came on the field and they booed him,” the sixth-year receiver said. “Like, that’s crazy, you know what I’m saying? He’s doing all he can and has done all he can. He obviously made mistakes. We all do. But when he was doing good—two plays later—he’d make a big play, they cheering for him.”
Upon his first entry into the game in place of Cam Newton, Darnold was greeted with boos at Bank of America Stadium. He then, on his first throw, proceeded to find a wide open Shi Smith for an exciting 63-yard gain.
Darnold enters the game to “boos”. pic.twitter.com/1aDy5eBURG
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) December 26, 2021
Fans, of course, flipped the script and showed their approval for the impressive display. But it’s that type of flip-flopping that Anderson and the organization doesn’t really want to see from their home crowd.
“Like, that’s not real fans, you know what I’m saying?” he added. “For the culture that we’re building, we don’t want no fake fans. We want diehard, loyal fans that’s gonna ride or die for us. Simple as that.”
Darnold, who eventually lost that sliver of good faith, ended up completing 14 of his next 31 attempts for 127 more yards in the 32-6 defeat.
So while Robby is sound in his messaging, let’s still be fair here. Has this supposed “culture” really given the fans anything to be happy about lately?
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