In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Carolina Panthers teamed up with the Simmons YMCA for a Futbol Americano Fiesta on Sept. 22.
Families experienced the fun and excitement of American football at the event. Jaime Moreno, the Panthers' Spanish radio play-by-play announcer, brought his own unique energy to the day as children and their families enjoyed Panthers Play 60 camp stations, a flag football exhibition and other group activities.
"The enthusiasm for American football and the Panthers is great to see. Both kids and parents shared the same excitement," said Riley Fields, the Carolina Panthers director of community relations.
The Panthers also recognized Hispanic Heritage Month during their game at Bank of America Stadium on Sept. 20.
Astrid Chirinos, the executive director of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Charlotte, took part in the coin toss; Rev. Luis Tejera from Hickory Grove Baptist Church's Latin American Campus in Charlotte provided the invocation; and Leydy Bonilla, an award-winning recording artist from the Dominican Republic, sang the national anthem. Additionally, Pilar Rocha-Goldberg, the president and CEO of El Centro Hispano in Durham, N.C., was honored with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award.
