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Fans grab up Panthers gear ahead of Sunday's playoff matchup

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers enjoyed a day off Tuesday before they start preparing for their big playoff game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday.

Channel 9 sports anchor Phil Orban will be heading down to New Orleans to bring you live coverage. Watch Channel 9's Panthers Pride special Saturday night for a look at the team's season leading up to the big playoff game. 

But the team store was busy with fans grabbing up new Panthers gear before the important matchup.

Eyewitness News reporter Glenn Counts was at the store, where he met fans from across the country. He met people from Florida, Dallas, Texas and Kansas City, who have one thing in common: They wear Panthers black and blue.

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“I like the Panthers. I like the team. I like the quarterback,” fan Sam Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim and his family are visiting from Florida, but he said he had to come and pay homage to his favorite team at Bank of America Stadium.

Michael Stewart and his son Jamie, who live in Dallas, Texas are excited about this weekend’s playoff game in New Orleans.

“They don’t need luck. They’re a great football team and well-coached and just a great group of guys,” Michael Stewart said.

Mike Dee Maine, with Broach Sports Tours, said his company has already started getting calls about groups heading down to the Big Easy for the game.

“We started getting calls a couple of weeks ago about the playoffs, trying to project where the team may go or not go,” Dee Maine said.

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