CHARLOTTE — Greg Olsen has played in plenty of big games for the Panthers, and called more in his work as a broadcaster.

Sunday, he gets to do something new — watch from the seats.

After calling tonight's Philadelphia-Washington game for FOX, he's coming home to be recognized as the Legend of the Game for Sunday's critical Panthers-Buccaneers game, and will hit the Keep Pounding drum heading into the fourth quarter.

Olsen arrived here in 2011, in what's likely the most impactful trade in franchise history (they sent a third-round pick to Chicago in exchange), and was a huge part of the team's climb to the Super Bowl following the 15-1 2015 season.

Along the way, he became the first tight end in league history to go over 1,000 receiving yards for three straight seasons and went to three straight Pro Bowls.

Panthers.com caught up with Olsen this week to talk about the rise of the current team, his fond memories, and what this weekend means to him.

Q: As somebody who played here, what's it like for you to come back in when the team's in the middle of a significant playoff-type atmosphere?

Olsen: "I haven't been to a game in a long time just as a fan, just to come enjoy it with my two sons and just be in the stadium and, and just enjoy a Sunday here in Charlotte. It worked out great with my schedule that I'm calling a Saturday game this week and the way it all lined up with the Panthers having this incredibly important home game, and sellout crowd, it was just great timing to have an off Sunday for the first time in a long time and be able to bring my kids around the holiday season and being able to come back and see so many people that I care about and obviously an organization that I have great memories with and great fondness for.

"So we're really excited to spend the day at the stadium on Sunday, and obviously there's a lot on the line for the team on the field."

Q: In your broadcasting role, you've called the Packers game so you've seen a bit of them this year. Where do you think this team has made the biggest strides?

Olsen: "I really give Dave Canales and Dan Morgan, I give them all a lot of credit. I think, obviously, they're still growing this roster. They're still continuing to find ways to elevate the talent and elevate the product, and I think they've done a great job, both in free agency and they've hit on a bunch of great draft picks.

"I think Bryce is playing really well, and obviously playing as well, if not better than, he has his entire career, which is obviously great for the entire organization. And, I think that probably the simplest thing is they're finding ways to win critical games, right? I mean, I was there in Lambeau and at the time, it felt like a huge upset, and probably looking back, it probably still is, if we're being honest. And the great win against the Rams, who continue to show they're as good as any team in the league. And so just some really critical moments throughout the year where they went head-to-head with some of the top teams in the league, and really playing well and finding ways to win. I think that's a credit."

Q: When you were playing as part of those teams in the early 2010s that were building to playoff contention, when did it become clear that those teams were on the cusp of something special?

Olsen: "I think there were a lot of moments throughout those early years where everyone was still thinking, we thought we were good. I think we knew we were good, and then it really just took our ability to break out. I think back then, I want to say it was that first year we went to the playoffs (2013), we beat San Francisco at San Francisco, I want to say it was a really low scoring game at Candlestick, maybe (a 10-9 win on the road in Week 10). And then we ended up losing that year to them in the playoffs at home, but that was a big game, because the 49ers, they were good and had a lot of good players, had a really good defense. And, obviously, the 2015 season, beating Seattle, who had kind of been the thorn in our side that we couldn't really get past. That one home game against New Orleans, where we won the division, and Luke Kuechly had like 1,000 tackles in the rain that day.

"So there were a lot of moments there early on that I think we started showing that we could really compete with some of the top teams and some of the more established teams at the time and kind of put ourselves in that category."

Q: In thinking about those games, particularly the ones here, what is the atmosphere like in Bank of America Stadium when the team is playing well, and the fans are feeling it?

Olsen: "Oh man, I can think a lot of those moments, that game in the rain where we beat New Orleans being one of them, that Monday night game where we beat the Patriots that came down to the wire. The playoff games, multiple home playoff games, and, of course, the NFC Championship. I mean, when we were rolling and that place was full every Sunday, the atmosphere around the stadium, the atmosphere around the team was second to none.

"Those are the memories that I think back on, those are the things I talk to my kids about. They were babies, but it's fun to see those moments now. And I think this Sunday, probably is going to be the most anticipated Sunday home game in a long time. Exciting for everyone."

Q: As someone who has hit the Keep Pounding drum before (the 2014 playoff game against Arizona), and whose son has also, what does it mean to you to carry on that tradition?

(TJ Olsen hit the Keep Pounding drum in the 2021 home finale. TJ was born with a congenital heart condition and had a successful heart transplant at Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital, leading to the family's continued charitable efforts through The Heartest Yard foundation.)

Olsen: "When TJ hit it, that's actually one of my favorite photos that I have because it kind of embodies my playing career, my family, TJ's journey, the community support around him and our foundation. So that picture holds a special place in my heart,

"And then obviously, that was our first playoff win in 2014, so those are great memories."