12-year-old writes to every NFL team to decide who to support, only the Panthers responded

For a child, the decision to follow a team in any sport is not one that should be rushed.

12-year-old Cade Pope was advisably cautious when he prepared to make a call that all of us remember making as kids ... 'what team will I allow to frustrate me as I get older and increasingly beaten down by life?' Cade penned a letter to each of the 32 NFL teams about two weeks ago and planned to make the judgement based on the responses. Only one team, though, managed to get back to the youngster... the Carolina Panthers.

The Panthers owner, Jerry Richardson, wrote back to him saying: "Cade, we would be honored if our Carolina Panthers became your team. We would make you proud by the classy way we represent you."

Richardson also sent young Cade a replica Panthers helmet signed by linebacker Luke Kuechly.

And that was enough to make the lad's mind up who said: "If this is the only team that responds to me, I'm a Carolina Panthers fan."

H/t to KSLA & CBS Sports