David Tepper, Panthers Owner, Fined $300K by NFL After Throwing Fan a Drink

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper faced a $300,000 fine from the NFL on Tuesday for what the league deemed "unacceptable conduct" during the team's 26-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, per ESPN.

David Tepper threw a drink in the direction of Jaguars fans from his open-air suite at Jacksonville's EverBank Stadium.

Acknowledging his lapse in judgment, Tepper issued a statement expressing regret for his behavior, citing his passion for the team.

He admitted that he should have allowed NFL stadium security to handle any issues, expressing respect for the league's code of conduct and accepting the imposed discipline.

"I should have let NFL stadium security handle any issues that arose," he said. "I respect the NFL's code of conduct and accept the League's discipline for my behavior."

David Tepper's Unacceptable Misconduct Caught on Video

A viral video from the game shows David Tepper, visibly frustrated, in a suite at EverBank Stadium alongside Panthers General Manager Scott Fitterer, according to CNN.

In the video, Tepper is seen emptying his drink into the stands and discarding the cup after a critical interception by Carolina rookie quarterback Bryce Young, sealing the team's shutout loss, marking their 14th defeat of the season.

In response, the NFL released a statement emphasizing the expectation for all league personnel to conduct themselves in a manner that respects fans and reflects positively on their team and the NFL as a whole.

"All NFL personnel are expected to conduct themselves at all times in ways that respect our fans and favorably reflect on their team and the NFL," the statement said.

David Tepper's Ownership and Philanthropic Background

David Tepper, a billionaire hedge fund manager, acquired the Panthers in 2018. Since then, the team has struggled, holding a 31-67 record, the second-worst in the NFL during Tepper's ownership.

The Panthers have also missed the playoffs every season.

Tepper's ownership extends beyond the NFL; he also owns Charlotte FC, a Major League Soccer club that reached the playoffs in its second year in November.

David Tepper's roots trace back to Pittsburgh's Stanton Heights neighborhood, where he grew up and attended Peabody High School, CBS News noted.

He continued his education at the University of Pittsburgh and earned his Master of Business Administration from Carnegie Mellon University.

David Tepper was the keynote speaker for Carnegie Mellon's commencement activities in 2018.

During his address, he expressed gratitude for the transformative impact of the education he received at Carnegie Mellon, attributing much of the positive change in his life to the foundation laid by the institution.

"It also was the foundation for everything I have done professionally since then. This place gave me the tools I needed to be successful," he said during his speech.

Tepper has credited Carnegie Mellon for playing a significant role in his life, acknowledging its impact on his professional success.

David Tepper donated $67 million to Carnegie Mellon in 2013, leading to the creation of the "David A. Tepper Quadrangle" and the establishment of the Tepper School of Business.

Despite the substantial fine of $300,000, it represents less than 1% of 1% of Tepper's net worth, making him the second-richest owner in the NFL with a net worth of $20.6 billion.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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