Adam Thielen’s weekend began like any other offseason Saturday, but by Sunday morning, his name was trending on social media for something far beyond football. The veteran wide receiver of the Carolina Panthers wasn’t making headlines for a clutch reception or game-winning drive but rather for stealing the show with his dance moves in front of tens of thousands in Charlotte.
Panthers Star Shines During Weekend of Sports Spectacle in Charlotte
The Savannah Bananas, baseball’s viral sensation known for their circus-style entertainment, took over Bank of America Stadium as part of their sold-out Banana Ball World Tour. The two-night spectacle welcomed 148,000 fans, setting a franchise attendance record and offering Charlotte a vivid reminder of its enduring love for sports. But amidst choreographed routines, fireworks, and showmanship, it was Thielen who delivered one of the most talked-about moments.
Adam Thielen hittin’ the griddy at @TheSavBananas game 😆
📺 ESPN2/ESPN+/Disney+ pic.twitter.com/rvsrcxcywL
— ESPN (@espn) June 7, 2025
Thielen took the field on Saturday night alongside the Bananas, where he embraced the lighthearted energy of the event and performed the Griddy, a dance originally made famous in the NFL. The crowd erupted. Social media followed. “The best Griddy in the league,” many commented, as videos of the Panthers wideout’s smooth footwork flooded TikTok, ESPN, and beyond.
The moment was part of a broader celebration that fused the past, present, and future of Carolina sports. On Friday, franchise icons Luke Kuechly, Greg Olsen, and Jonathan Stewart added nostalgia to the affair. Kuechly threw the first pitch after an intense self-run bullpen warm-up, Olsen suited up in Bananas yellow, and Stewart powered through the dugout like he was still chasing the end zone. These familiar faces brought emotional depth to the spectacle, stirring memories of the team’s 2015 Super Bowl run.
By Saturday, it was the current roster’s turn. Thielen wasn’t alone. Quarterback Andy Dalton joined in on a round of “undodgeball,” playfully pelting foam footballs at participants while fans roared in laughter. “This city’s got passion,” Dalton said. “To have 74,000 show up back-to-back nights, it’s a reminder that Charlotte is a sports town. Hopefully, that translates to our season too.”
The impact of the weekend extended beyond entertainment. Charlotte native and Savannah Bananas player Eric Jones Jr. described the experience as one of the most meaningful moments of his career. Reflecting on the significance of performing in his hometown, he said, “Loved the Panthers my whole life, cried when they lost the Super Bowl in ’04 and then in ’15 I was in college having the time of my life… I hope that we get to play in Charlotte every year.”
For Thielen, who led the Panthers in receiving yards last season, the viral dance was more than a fun diversion. It was a symbol of connection with fans, with teammates, and with a city that lives and breathes sports. As fireworks lit up the Charlotte sky and fans danced in the aisles, one thing was clear: this was more than a ballgame. It was a moment of joy that football and baseball fans alike won’t soon forget.