This season, we’d like to introduce you to Panthers fans not just around the country, but all around the world. It takes a lot to be a Panthers fan outside of the Carolinas – people make fun of you, you’re ostracized at parties, people constantly send you gifs on Twitter of fumbles not being recovered – but The Roaring Riot aims to help alleviate that issue by creating a watch party for your favorite team in every city on the globe.

This week, we’re proud to talk to Heath Wilson, the leader of the newest Roaring Riot chapter, the Liberty Riot! We’ll be hanging out with them all weekend as a part of the 2018 Philly Takeover, but here’s a little bit about how they got started!

Who Started Your Chapter and When? Include any interesting stories if they exist.
Heath: I was already a member of the Upstate Riot in Greenville, SC and had plans to move to Philly in the beginning of 2016 – my wife is from here. I had talked to Zack Luttrell and Mark Driscoll about possibly starting a chapter in Philly once I got settled in; before the 2016 season kicked off, Mark reached out to Riot members in the area and set up our first meeting in Philly. It was a small group of only five or so, but I was just happy to know other Carolina fans actually existed in the area. That was also the night I met John, who has helped me lead the chapter ever since. Ninety percent of the 2016 season literally consisted of just me and John watching the games alone, but we hung in there and things have since gotten way better. Our memberships and turn outs are have steadily grown every season.

How Hard Was It To Find A Bar To Host You?
Heath: I got really lucky because Mark secured that for us in the beginning. Thanks Mark!

Where Do You Have Game Watch Parties?
Heath: Tavern on Broad in downtown Philly. It’s a great central location at Broad and Walnut right near City Hall and easily accessible via train – they have been absolutely great to us and are always accommodating. We really lucked out with them.

How Many People Usually Show Up?
Heath: We have peaked a few times this season around 15 people. Of course we always tend to do better when the game isn’t aired locally.

What Traditions (Audio, Cheers, Drinks, Etc.) Does Your Chapter Have?
Heath: Our members Diane and her husband Galen have recently started holding down the bluetooth speaker duties, so we’re getting some of the Riot usuals like the Panther roar, Raise Up and Sweet Caroline. When we win, Dennis – the bar manager – hooks us up with blue Camikaze victory shots. Speaking of Dennis, another “tradition” of ours is he isn’t allowed in our room during the game due to some bad luck that has rubbed off of him in the past.

Is it hard finding Panthers fans in Philly?
Heath: Yeah, I guess I would say it is. I mean, this is obviously a DIEHARD Eagles city and it’s not terribly common to find Carolinians that have moved up here. Northerners usually move down south, not the other way around – but I will say I have been pretty surprised at just how many fans we do have up here. It feels great meeting new ones that come out to watch with us.

Have you ever spotted a Panthers fan on the streets and invited them to watch with you?
Heath: Besides a couple of cars with stickers, I think I’ve really only seen someone on the street in Panthers gear once. Just my luck the guy said he wasn’t actually a fan of football and his friend had given him the hat. D’oh.

Any issues with Eagles fans?
Heath: I get a little jawing here and there. Nothing crazy though. Mostly in my neighborhood or when I’m on the train to the bar on game day and I’m wearing a jersey. I’m honestly not really out late at night after hours when people are really loaded and looking to talk smack or start stuff. I actually have had several strangers comment “at least you aren’t a Cowboys fan”.

The Cowboys hate in this city is very strong.

What’s the most popular Panthers gear at your watch party?
Heath: I’d say probably #59 jerseys. Ladies love ’em some Luke.

Why Did You Want To Lead A Chapter?
Heath: After experiencing that amazing 2015 season with the Upstate Riot, I just really wanted to continue that feeling if at all possible. That group is so great and watching those games with ReShay and the crew were so much fun.

What Does Being In The Roaring Riot Mean To You?
Heath: Well, first and foremost “Change the Culture” says it all. That said, the Riot gives fans a chance to experience the highs and lows of Panther football together as a family. It’s extremely valuable when you’re outside of the Charlotte area but still long to hang with your tribe. It also has given me the chance to make friends in a city where I knew no one; that has been huge. I work around 70 hours a week and have one and two-year old baby girls. I guess it’s safe to say game day with the Riot is my social life.

How Excited Are You To Be A Full Chapter of the Roaring Riot?
Heath: I’m extremely excited. As I mentioned earlier, after our first bleak 2016 season I didn’t know how the future of this chapter was going to pan out. I really wanted us to be official. I felt like achieving a chapter in a city like Philly would be one hell of an accomplishment. I’m very proud of what we’ve done and very grateful of my Liberty Riot faithful’s that show up weekly. We truly have a great bunch of people and I’m looking forward to the future.

Photo Credit: Serious Eats

What One Place Would You Recommend Panthers Fans Eat in Philly? One Activity? One Place To Drink?
Heath: Okay, let me just say this…cheesesteaks are just aiiiite. Maybe it’s because I’m not from the land of Rocky and The Roots, but it’s my opinion that cheesesteaks are way overrated. Now let me duck before I get pelted with batteries, snowballs and cheese whiz. Save the Pat’s, save the Geno’s, save the “wit or witout” and just hit me with a roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe and long hots. I’m biased because they’re in my neighborhood, but both Jack’s and Fink’s got the bangin’ hoagies. Also, one more bit of advice is to just wait until you get back down south before eating barbecue.

How excited are you to have the Roaring Riot and the Panthers invade your hometown?
Heath: I can’t wait. I’m really looking forward to it and praying for a Panther win. We should have won last season so it’s payback time.

What’s Your Score Prediction For This Sunday’s Panthers/Eagles game?
Heath: Panthers 31, Eagles 27

Josh Klein on Twitter
Josh Klein
Editor-In-Chief at The Riot Report
Josh Klein is Editor-In-Chief of The Riot Report. His favorite Panther of all time is Chad Cota and he once AIM chatted with Kevin Greene. Follow Josh on Twitter @joshkleinrules.