Panthers fans cash in on ‘Dab on ‘em' dance craze

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It's one of the hottest dance crazes in the Carolinas.

Whether it’s Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, head coach Ron Rivera or even owner Jerry Richardson, the popular “dab on ‘em” dance move, made famous in the hip-hop community, has been a season-long staple in the Panthers nation.

The craze has also translated into cash for fans Kevin Hooper and Matthew Clum, Charlotte natives who created a “Dab on ‘em” T-shirt after the Panthers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 33-14 Thanksgiving Day.

"I put up my rent money and bought 36 shirts,” Clum said.

That turned into 3,500 T-shirts and now they’ve sold nearly 5,000.

The duo operate out of Clum’s Charlotte apartment, with family and friends chipping in to pack and ship orders that continue to grow by the day.

The two have also put out viral videos featuring their “Dab on ‘em” T-shirts -- first with Mary Ward, the “Dabbin Granny,” out of Lincolnton and later with friend Vic the Chiliman, an uptown vendor and star of the Youtube “BirdStew” videos.

“I've heard people say before, ‘When the Panthers are having a good year, everybody has a good year,’” Hooper said.

The two recorded their biggest sales day since Christmas following the Panthers' divisional round win over Seattle Sunday. The two continue to sell their T-shirts on Etsy and at pop-up shops throughout the city of Charlotte.

Even national chain Dunkin’ Donuts is jumping in on “Dab on ‘em” fame, encouraging fans to #Dab4Dunkin for a chance to win a prize pack.

“I think it's really paid off for sure,” Hooper said.

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