Carolina Panthers: #OneCarolina hashtag brings two states together

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Just before its biggest game in years, the Carolina Panthers are making a plea for unity.

College and professional teams including: North Carolina, South Carolina, Appalachian State, Duke, Campbell University, Charlotte, North Carolina State, the Winston-Salem Dash, Guilford, Asheville, the College of Charleston, and more tweeted support for the Panthers ahead of the NFC Championship.

The Panthers host the Arizona Cardinals at 6:40 p.m. Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte for a trip to the Super Bowl.

Many of the tweets and Facebook posts also included the hashtag #keeppounding, which is among several NFL Playoff themed hashtags that brings up a corresponding emoticon when used on Twitter.

Sunday marks the first time ever that the Panthers will host a conference championship game.