Richardson hospitalized again with heart issues

By Darin Gantt - The Herald

CHARLOTTE -- Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson has been re-admitted to the hospital, a month after having a procedure to install a device to control his heart rhythm.

Team officials said Saturday that Richardson hadn't been feeling as well as he had hoped in his recovery, and checked with his personal doctors midweek. They had him checked into Carolinas Medical Center. He's not expected to be released before Monday's game against Tampa Bay.

The 72-year-old Richardson has dealt with heart problems in the past. In 2002, he went in for a checkup complaining of fever and chills and an irregular heartbeat, and eventually had quadruple bypass surgery. On Nov. 3, he had a pacemaker defibrillator installed as a precaution. The device is intended to help the heart maintain a normal rhythm, and can shock it back into one if need be.

Richardson had been resting at home from his November surgery, and hadn't accompanied the team to road trips in Oakland, Atlanta or Green Bay.