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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Ron Rivera stressed a few years ago that he wanted the Carolina Panthers to become relevant in the NFL.Put a big checkmark in that box.Behind NFL MVP Cam Newton, the Panthers have become a hot ticket in the Carolinas and neighboring states -- more so than ever. Following a third straight NFC South championship and a trip to the Super Bowl, fans are abuzz about the Panthers heading into 2016 season hoping the franchises first Vince Lombardi Trophy is close.The Panthers sold out all 60,000 tickets -- they were available for free online -- in a matter of hours for their annual Fan Fest practice, which was held Friday night at their downtown stadium.Yes, were talking about practice.This week the team shattered its yearly training camp attendance record at Wofford College -- and the camp isnt even half over. Through their first seven practices the Panthers attracted nearly 80,000 fans to their practice facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina, about a 90-minute drive from their home base in Charlotte.When you have sustained success it creates more and more momentum, Panthers President Danny Morrison told The Associated Press. People around the country and certainly in the Carolinas have seen a very unselfish team -- a team that loves playing football. And we have a lot of unique individuals.Few are unique as Newton, one of the more excitable, confident and entertaining quarterbacks ever to play in the NFL.The sixth-year quarterback has become a polarizing figure to some who dont particularly enjoy his elaborate touchdown celebrations or the way he bolted off the podium after Carolinas 24-10 loss to the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl. But hes become the most popular athlete the Charlotte area has ever known.Newton immediately captures the crowds attention when he steps on the field at Bank of America Stadium.Near the end of practice, he made like an orchestra conductor for the crowd as he led the wave. Moving his arms, he got fans to do it in slow motion, extra fast and backward. He even had the wave going in two different directions, all the while smiling from ear to ear.Fans responded to his energy with a chant of MVP.Nothing Cam can do surprises me anymore, said fullback Mike Tolbert with a laugh.Luke Kuechly is much more reserved than Newton, but no less loved in the Carolinas. When No. 59 makes was shown on the stadiums videoboards, the crowd roared Luuuuuuke!When you have individual stars like we have that only adds to the excitement around training camp, Morrison said.Rivera said the players have been overwhelmed by the amount of fan support this summer. The team drew more than 22,000 fans for its first night of practice at Wofford College as optimistic fans anticipate a return to the Super Bowl -- albeit with a different outcome.We love the support because it brings a lot of energy and the players feed off that energy, Rivera said. The tempo goes up and guys get really competitive.The teams support has steadily increased since 2013, when the Panthers won the first of its three straight NFC South titles. Before that, the Panthers had never been to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.My first year I came in here you could find a seat anywhere in the stands. Now its a packed house, so thats great, said fourth-year defensive tackle Star Lotulelei.Morrison said the metrics the team uses to measure its growth in popularity -- including social media, TV ratings and attendance -- suggest interest in the team is at an all-time high.Along with winning, Morrison also attributes the growing fan base to what he calls second generation fans.The Panthers entered the league as an expansion team in 1995, so it has taken some time to establish a fan base. But with the team headed into its 22nd season, many of the young fans who grew up watching the Panthers have now become adults and are raising their children as fans.Certainly that is making a big impact, Morrison said.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Air Max 90 Cheap Free Shipping . The scientists believe the small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown was likely greater than Lynchs famous "beast quake" touchdown run three years ago, which also came against New Orleans during a playoff game. Air Max 90 China . -- Lou Brocks shoulder-to-shoulder collision with Bill Freehan during the 1968 World Series and Pete Roses bruising hit on Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star game could become relics of baseball history, like the dead-ball era. http://www.airmax90cheap.us/ .ca NFL Power Rankings, overtaking the Denver Broncos and remaining ahead of NFC competition San Francisco, Carolina and New Orleans. Air Max 90 Cheap Wholesale .Y. -- Syracuse has turned up the defence at the right time all season, and when High Point threatened to pull off a monumental upset the second-ranked Orange did what they do best with their quick hands and savvy play. Air Max 90 Cheap Sale .J. -- Marshawn Lynch said Thursday it will be good to get back to football after the Seattle quiet talking running back wrapped up his final mandatory media session of Super Bowl week. ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgias two leading tacklers will be able to play against No. 14 Florida after being cleared in a marijuana investigation.The school announced Monday that inside linebackers Natrez Patrick and Roquan Smith violated no university policies that would require a suspension.Athletic director Greg McGarity said the investigation included drug testing, which was negative for both student-athletes.Police were called to Patricks dormitory room shortly after an Oct. 15 loss to Vanderbilt. A resident assistant reported the smell of pot, but no drugs were found and neither player was charged.Patrick is the Bulldogs leader with 42 tackles, followed by Smith with 39. Both are sophomores.Patrick served a one-game suspension last year after being arrested for marijuana possession.Since November 2015, I have dedicated myself to moving forward, he said in a statement released by the school. Im blessed to have done that despite hurdles Ive had to clear. This incident was simply another hurdle and I was confident I would successfully clear it. Ill continue to move forward and Im anxious to play on Saturday.Smith said he has followed athletic department rules and was happy this situation has been rightfully resolved.The decision was good news for first-year coach Kirbyy Smart, whose team is looking to bounce back from a shocking loss to Vanderbilt that likely ended any hopes of contending in the SEC East.ddddddddddddThe Bulldogs (4-3, 2-3) were off last week.Im happy for these two young men, Smart said Monday. They get to move on to football and not have to deal with the distraction. I will say that on the field both of these two young men have been exemplary leaders, especially for sophomores.He added that he has no problem with Georgias drug policies, which are among the toughest in the SEC. A football player who violates the marijuana provisions faces a one-game suspension for the first offense, and repeat offenders are subject to a four-game ban.Im a team player when it comes to policy, Smart said. Do I think that we live in a society thats a little bit different now than it was back whenever? Sure, I do. But I also believe in what we have, and we know and accept the rules that weve been charged with.---Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry .---AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '