Jarrett Boykin ready to 'seize the moment' after signing with Panthers

Jarrett Boykin attended his first NFL game at Bank of America Stadium in 2003, when Ricky Proehl caught the game-winning touchdown to lead the Carolina Panthers to a 24-23 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the season opener. 

Now Boykin is hoping to leave his own mark on the Panthers after signing a one-year deal with the team. 

"Nothing's set in stone until I go out there and prove myself on the field," Boykin said during a conference call with reporters. "That's the thing that matters most."

Boykin is coming off a disappointing season with the Green Bay Packers in which he missed three games with a groin injury, lost the No. 3 receiver job to rookie Davante Adams and was held to three catches for 23 yards. 

"We had Davante Adams and a couple other young guys that stepped in and played pretty well while I was out," Boykin said. "Coming back, I kind of saw my role diminish a little. So I just tried to seize the moment and do whatever I could on special teams to contribute in any way possible."

Boykin, a former star at Charlotte's Butler High School, said he will try to do the same in Carolina.

"It feels pretty good to be coming home. Familiar territory - I'm familiar with the area, people around the area, great supporting cast," he said. "I grew up watching this team."