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."