CHARLOTTE — Dom Capers stood just outside the end zone, a smile on his face that he couldn't wipe away, chuckling every time a swell of celebration rose from the line of scrimmage consisting of both Carolina Panthers players and Panthers of the Police Activity League (PAL).

"These kids don't know what they're in for," Capers said as they jogged out for another play.

He didn't mean it as a warning for the under-11 team from the Youth Engagement Unit of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department , hosting a "joint-practice" with the elder Panthers—although a warning would have been helpful, given the fact Ikem Ekwonu kept trying to jump in to play guard against guys a fifth of his size.

It was a hope and a wish for the young group from a man who has been around the game for decades,

See Full Page