CHARLOTTE, NC (WCCB Charlotte) — Cam Newton calls him Jerricho ‘Clutchery’.
Panthers fans certainly did last Sunday.
Newton connected with 33-year-old Jerricho Cotchery last Sunday on the 15-yard game-winning touchdown pass against the Saints in the Superdome to preserve the perfect season. Cotchery isn’t always a main-focus of the offense as he’s third on the team with 27 receptions for 352 yards and two scores. But where Cotchery lacks in eye-popping statistical numbers, he makes up for wisdom off the field.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (82) pulls in a touchdown pass in front of New Orleans Saints defensive back Chris Owens (30) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
“He has been in this league for along time. He knows and has seen a lot of football,” Cam Newton said. “It doesn’t make me think twice when I’m looking in my reads to give him an opportunity because I know he lives for that type of moment.”
Cotchery, in his second full season with the Panthers, is well-liked in the locker room according to Newton. And often, the team thinks twice about ‘cutting-up’ in front of Cotchery–a testament to what teammates think of Jerricho.
“Playing this game, you say a lot of bad-words,” Newton said. “But (when) you are talking to ‘Cotch’, you want to say it a certain way, and you can’t say it, because you know who he is. He’s that dad.”
Cotchery, described by teammates also as a fun-loving man, had ties to North Carolina prior to signing with the Panthers before the 2014 season. He played for NC State from 2000-2003 and caught 21 touchdowns. He played his first seven seasons in the NFL with the New York Jets after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2004 draft.
On the back half of Cotchery’s career, he has found a likable and important role with the Panthers–also a clutch one.
“He is just a clutch guy. It’s just his spirit,” Newton said.
Jerricho "Clutchery's" impact goes far beyond the box score for Carolina. https://t.co/UbuE660dkm pic.twitter.com/PEdeVEv1Kn
— Jeff Zell (@Jeff_Zell) December 11, 2015
