In 2012, the Carolina Panthers introduced the pre-game tradition of the Keep Pounding drum. If you're a @Panthers fan you know the history of that phrase and why we have the drum. When my mom was battling stage 4 Lung Cancer in 2013-2014 she adopted the Keep Pounding mantra (albeit, she kept saying "Keep On Pounding") during her fight and it became that much more important to me. In 2024 when I brought my brother with me to our annual pre-Christmas game home game, I watched as @dmcland72 was announced as the Drummer, an honor given to him as being our 2024 fan of the year. He pounded the hell out of that drum and I remember looking at my younger brother and saying: "Dude, it would be such an honor to be in that position one day, could you imagine?" Little did we know that a year later I would be named Carolina Panthers 2025 Fan of the Year. The FIRST words out of my mouth when the team surprised me with the news that I was FOTY and going to the super bowl was: "Does this mean I can Pound the Drum?!" ...Not "OMG Im going to the super bowl" or anything else... The first question I asked in the heat of the moment was "Can I pound the drum?" It means that much to me. Since then, I have had so many amazing experiences with the Panthers and our fans. One of the most important has been my friendship with @chrisdraft who played 12 years in the NFL and has become a huge mentor for me in helping me to become a bigger voice in the Lung Cancer advocacy space. I have worked hard to do more as a Lung Cancer advocate and to bring attention and raise money for lung cancer research. Not for any recognition, but to pay tribute to my Mom and to help those still fighting or who will one day fight lung cancer themselves. Next month is the NFL's Crucial Catch Month, where all 32 clubs do more to bring attention to "intercepting cancer." Encouraging fans to get screened, making donations to cancer research, and honoring cancer survivors, caregivers, and medical professionals across the country. I have reached out to my team rep from last year and expressed my desire to be the team's Keep Pounding drummer for our Crucial Catch game this season, and it would mean the world to me to be given the honor to Sound the Drum in recognition of all those who are currently fighting any form of cancer. Spread the word. Help me Sound the Drum! #KeepPounding