Players remain ‘focused on the football’

CHARLOTTE – Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera called misconduct charges against team owner Jerry Richardson “serious” Monday but said the team will “go forward” as it pushes toward the NFL playoffs. “I know the allegations are serious,” Rivera said near the start of his regular Monday news conference. “Everybody should be heard and listened to and respected. At the end of the day, who am I to judge? We need to have all the answers. We are still here to play football.” A Sunday Sports Illustrated story listed numerous workplace misconduct charges against Richardson, who later Sunday revealed that he plans to sell the team he has owned since 1993. The NFL is investigating the charges. Rivera said he will reserve his feelings on the allegations until the investigation is over, but he added that the issues are “very serious, and I don’t want to cast any doubt on anything until the investigation is complete.” Questions about Richardson and the future of the team dom- inated Rivera’s news conference. There were only two “football” questions as the team prepares to play Tampa Bay this week in the next-to-last regular-season game. Rivera said he talked to Richardson on Sunday. “He was terrific in terms of our conversation,” Rivera said, but he declined to comment specifically on what was discussed. Rivera said he discussed the situation with players Monday and said none asked questions. Cornerback Daryl Worley said the team’s focus remains on football. “I read the story,” haven’t Worley said. “It doesn’t have anything to do with me. I just continue to work. We’re focused on the football. That’s the only aspect we should be worried about as players.” Tight end Ed Dickson said he respects Richardson. “It’s sad to me, the whole thing,” he said. “We work to be better individuals, and to see that happen it just saddened me as an individual. I got a lot of respect for our owner. He gave me an opportunity to come here and further my career and do the things I need to do as a football player.” Rivera he hopes the said team, after a sale, will remain in Charlotte. “I believe this organization has had a tremendous impact on the Carolinas,” Rivera said. “It has truly helped the growth of this city and community. It’s been a source of pride and goodwill, and I’d like to see it continue. “It’s a great community and a very supportive fan base. They’ve been here for me and this football team.” Rivera and the players spoke before an announcement later Monday that Richardson was stepping away from any day-today involvement with the team.