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Detroit's winningest team, the
Michigan Panthers, had just routed
division-leading Tampa Bay Bandits 43-
7. Play after play, the 24,000 fans in the
Silverdome Monday night rose to their
feet to cheer the team that has won
seven of its last eight games. And the
new-found focus of the applause? None
other than everybody's favorite wide
receiver, Anthony "Eat-my-dust"
KE Carter.
It seems appropriate that after
smashing football records in Ann Ar-
bor, he should become a trend-setter in
the new United States Football League.
Cries of "AC! AC! AC!" rang out in the
huge dome after his patented miracle
touchdown reception last week during
the Panther's heart-stopping loss to the
Birmingham Stallions. Quarterback
Bobby Herbert lobbed the ball Carter's
way, knowing the little fellow would get
it. He did - after it bounced off of a
couple of helmets and he scampered
past two slow-footed defenders. The 81-
yard reception is the longest for the
Panthers.
Not surprisingly, Panther coach Jim
Stanley followed Bo's lead aid put Car-
ter on the receiving end of the other
team's punts. After his see-how-esy-it-
is runback Monday night, the only
question remaining is to ask Carter
what took him so long.
The Panthers are on the road until
June 20, but when they return, after
perhaps improving on their 8-5 record,
the professional exploits of Carter the
Panther might become as legendary as
those of Carter the Wolverine. His $3
million contract might end up being a
wise investment for the Panthers. The
Silverdome is no Michigan Stadium,
but little Number 1 still brings them to
their feet.
- Mark Gindin
Photos by Brian Masck