Ric Flair has somehow become a popular topic of discussion during the most exciting time of the year for NFL fans. The 64-year-old wrestling legend pumped up the San Francisco 49ers before their playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, and the Niners came away with a road win at Lambeau Field. As a result, Flair has fallen out of grace with Panthers fans.
Flair has lived in Charlotte and been a fan of the area’s sports teams, with his famous “wooo” formerly playing on the stadium scoreboard during Panthers game. Earlier this week, Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith ripped the Nature Boy for his support of the Niners. Apparently some Carolina fans have taken it to another level.
“When the 49ers reached out and WWE asked Ric to jet up there, of course he said yes,” Melinda Morris Zanoni, Flair’s agent at Legacy Talent and Entertainment, said in a statement. “And he’s friends with a bunch of the 49ers just like he is with the Panthers, Packers, and many other NFL players. But no, Ric does not intend on attending the Panthers vs. 49ers game this weekend.”
As Tom Sorensen of the Charlotte Observer noted, Flair has also received death threats from Panthers fans since giving his pep talk to the 49ers. That’s a shame. You can understand Panthers fans being upset that Flair visited an opponent, but this should all be in good fun. Death threats are never good fun.
“We know fans are passionate about their teams, but some of the choice language we have been receiving is scaring off our interns,” Zanoni added.
Smith loves drama, which made him the perfect candidate to speak out against Flair. That being said, Flair has been an entertainer his entire life. He certainly doesn’t deserve to be threatened over a ridiculous pep talk.
H/T The Big Lead
