'Hats off': Charlotte bar trolls Panthers owner David Tepper again

The restaurant that trolled David Tepper leading up to the NFL Draft is at it again.

Posted 6:52 p.m. May 1 — Updated 6:56 p.m. May 1

Joseph Ochoa

, WRAL multiplatform producer

The restaurant that trolled David Tepper leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft is at it again.

Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, a bar and grill in Charlotte, teased the Panthers with a sign that read “Hats off to the new Panthers,” a dig at the Panthers owner over his reaction to the bar’s previous sign.

On Thursday before the NFL Draft, the bar made another sign reading, “Let the coach and GM pick this year,” a dig at the owner’s alleged overbearing tendencies when rebuilding the Panthers.

Leading up to the 2023 draft, Tepper allegedly forced the front office to select Bryce Young with the first overall pick. Tepper denied the allegations, saying he leaves the football decisions to front office personnel.

Security footage from inside the restaurant showed Tepper going inside after reading the sign and removing a hat from someone inside before asking for the manager.

According to restaurant manager Matt Wohlfarth, Tepper wanted to know who made the sign but was not upset.

“He seemed nice and was joking around,” Wohlfarth told WCNC. “He shook hands with the manager and [gave] him hell about his Eagles hat.”

The Panthers selected University of South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Leggette after trading into the first round on Thursday night.

The Panthers will start the 2024 season with a new general manager, Dan Morgan, and head coach Dave Canales, the team’s third permanent head coach in three seasons.