Panthers Fire Truck Has New Owner
Gary Pigg plans to use the truck in his late son's honor at tailgates, Make-A-Wish events, and concerts.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Itβs big, itβs blue, and this fire truck is coming to a parking lot near you.
Clocking in at over 10 yards long, this one-ton behemoth should always be your first down at every Panthers tailgate this season.
A former firefighter himself, owner Gary Pigg has always had his eye on this black-and-blue beauty.
βI saw it coming down the road one day coming to a Panthers game,” Pigg tells us. “And I was like, βMan, I need to have that.ββ
After an eight-thousand-dollar purchase on Facebook Marketplace, itβs finally his.
βI had one buddy of mine tell me, βYouβve made some bad decisions in your life, but this is the best one youβve made.ββ
You better believe itβs one mean, lean, tailgating machine.
βItβs got two kegs, two taps, two TVs, sound system, a deck up top so people can hang out, all the lights, sirens, of course, the βKeep Pounding.'”
Pigg plans to bring DJs, bands, and even dueling pianos to make this truck the pinnacle of Panthers pregaming.
But, itβs also personal for Pigg.
βThe reason I really did this is because I lost my son five years ago and he was a huge Panthers fan. The reason I got back into being a Panthers fan, and we lost him at 13, and thatβs the real reason we have the truck: to carry on his legacy and his excitement for this football team.β
And he plans to use the truck to give back in his late son, Davis Flohrβs, honor.
βThis is going to probably change a lot of kidsβ lives as far as pulling up, Christmastime, have Santa Claus on top of it, going through the neighborhoods, handing out candy, maybe get Sir Purr on top of there every once in a while, itβs going to be really good.β
βTo give back to the kids, especially ones that donβt have very much, means more than anything. Weβre very fortunate with what weβve got, and if we can give back, then thatβs what weβre going to do.β
Pigg is primed and ready to show off his new toy, and his pride and joy this Monday night.
βWeβve got it now, and weβre going to take it to a different level. Weβre going to take it to the next level.β
You can follow the truck on Pigg’s Facebook page, Next Level Tailgates. He also wants the public’s help in naming the truck and wants to hear your suggestions.