Attention all Carolina fans! With only 18 days left until the big day, the countdown to the 2023 NFL draft is on! As we eagerly await the arrival of our newest players, let's take a moment to remember one of our past underdog heroes, Damiere Byrd, who famously wore the number 18 on his jersey. Byrd may be most remembered because of a controversial touchdown in 2017, deemed the “butt cheek touchdown” against the Miami Dolphins. Byrd caught a touchdown pass that was initially ruled incomplete by the on-field officials. However, upon further review, it was determined that Byrd had made the catch with one foot in bounds and one butt cheek touching the ground in the end zone, which was deemed enough for the touchdown to stand.

The ruling was somewhat controversial, as the question of what constitutes a catch in the NFL has been a subject of debate and controversy for some time. Nevertheless, the touchdown was upheld, and the Panthers went on to win the game by a score of 45-21. Despite this controversial catch, Byrd was an undersized underdog who fought his way to the NFL as an undrafted free agent.

With the draft just around the corner, time will fly like a Byrd to the NFL Draft! We can't wait to see who our team will select and how they'll contribute to our continued success on the field. Byrd may have been undersized, but he more than made up for it with his lightning-fast speed. In fact, he ran the 40-yard dash in a remarkable 4.28 seconds at his pro day.

As we gear up for the 2023 NFL draft, let's remember our past underdog heroes and look forward to our future. Who will be the next Damiere Byrd? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure, our team is always looking for hardworking players who will fight for their place on the field, no matter their size. #KeepPounding #NFLDraft #18DaysToGo

By Tony Dunn
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