Charlotte FC and Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper is believed to have pressed pause on any head coaching interviews, just hours after the death of Charlotte FC defender Anton Walkes, 25, in a boating accident in Miami on Thursday morning.
The Panthers' recruiting team traveled from New York, where they were conducting interviews, to North Carolina's capital to support Charlotte FC players, who've been rocked by Walkes' shocking death, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
'The group was to interview Sean Payton Friday. That’s now on hold as owner David Tepper spends time supporting the grieving players,' Rapoport further revealed on Twitter, late Thursday evening.
Charlotte FC and Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper halted interviews for the vacant head coaching job on his NFL team, hours after Charlotte FC defender Anton Walkes, 25, died
Charlotte FC owner David Tepper and goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina at the vigil for Anton Walkes.
Before Tepper embraced Kahlina, he found Dustin Swinehart in the crowd, one of their first hires when the announced the club in 2019 and a former Charlotte Eagles player. pic.twitter.com/DEOxY84Q5r
Walkes died on Thursday after being involved in a boating accident in Miami a day earlier
Ian Rapoport tweeted that the Panthers were supposed to interview Sean Payton on Friday
The Panthers contingent was also lining up interviews for two defensive coordinator vacancies this week, but it is understood that the recruiting process for those roles has also been halted.
'Everyone at Tepper Sports & Entertainment is devastated by the tragic passing of Anton Walkes. He was a tremendous son, father, partner and teammate whose joyous approach to life touched everyone he met,' read a statement from Tepper on the MLS club's offricial website.
'Anton made those around him better people in all areas of life and represented Charlotte FC to the highest standard both on and off the pitch. He will be greatly missed by many and our thoughts and prayers are with Anton’s family during this heartbreaking time. The Club offers its full support to all those impacted during this period of mourning.'
An abundance of flowers and tributes from Charlotte FC fans were lined up at the Bank of America Stadium on Thursday evening, a day after Walkes was injured in a two-boat collision near Miami Marine Stadium at 3.00pm on Wednesday.
A Charlotte FC fan stops and observes flowers left at a vigil for Walkes on Thursday evening
Clemson running back Haamid Williams laid flowers at the Bank of America Stadium, Thursday
An banner of Walkes was displayed on the exterior of the Bank of America Stadium as well
The Englishman, also of Jamaican descent, was taken to hospital, where he died of his injuries the following morning. The former Atlanta United, Porstmouth FC and Tottenham Hotspur defender was in Miami to attend Charlotte FC's twelve-day training camp.
Teammate and goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina arrived before the start of the vigil at 4 pm ET on Thursday and was seen laying flowers and placing a candle at the gate of the Bank of America Stadium.
Tepper followed soon after, placing white roses on the football arena's grounds. Charlotte FC president Joe LaBlue and the club's MLS NEXT Pro president Darrius Barnes also attended the vigil, as well as several members of the team's coaching staff, according to Axios Charlotte.
Born in London, Walkes leaves behind a young daughter, called Ayla, along with his girlfriend Alexis.
Walkes, an Englishman, of Jamaican descent,has a young daughter, Ayla, with girlfriend, Alexis
Tottenham Hotspur players wore black armbands against Manchester City in tribute to Walkes
Walkes turned professional in 2016 and started his career at Tottenham's youth academy
In their own statement, Major League Soccer expressed their pain at the 'tragic' news of Walkes' death early Thursday morning.
'There are no words to describe the sorrow of everyone in Major League Soccer today after learning of the tragic passing of Anton Walkes of Charlotte FC,' the statement read.
'Anton was a talented and dedicated player who was loved by his teammates and fans. We extend our deepest condolences to his partner, family, friends and the entire Charlotte FC family. MLS is coordinating with Charlotte FC to provide players and family members with the resources and support they may need during this tragic time.'
MLS side Colorado Rapids held a minute's silence before training Thursday as a mark of respect.
Walkes turned professional in 2016 and began his career being nurtured through Tottenham Hotspur's academy in England. The Premier League side made its first team players wear black armbands in their 4-2 defeat to rivals Manchester City. All of their academy sides will also wear black armbands at the weekend.
Last season, Walkes started 21 games for Charlotte. The team ended up six points shy of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.