When Bernie Parmalee played as a running back in the NFL from 1992 to 2000, he envisioned having his own coaching unit. Now, as a coach for the Carolina Panthers, Parmalee has shaped his running back room into what he calls a “sanctuary.”
“When I was a player, I said, if I ever had my room, I can envision the way I want my room to be,” Parmalee shared. He aims to create an environment that is both fun and productive. This approach has helped establish a culture within the Panthers’ running back unit that emphasizes hard work and preparedness.
“That’s kind of been our foundation from Day 1,” said Jonathon Brooks. The players commit themselves fully to their roles, working diligently both during practice and in their own time.
Parmalee’s coaching style is characterized by “Bernie-isms,” quips drawn from pop culture and his playing experience that motivate players during practice. Among these sayings are three notable ones: “Don’t fall for the banana in the tailpipe,” “We don’t have a contract with him,” and “Linda Blair it.”
Chuba Hubbard explained the first phrase: “Number one is don’t fall for the banana in the tailpipe.” This reference comes from the 1984 film “Beverly Hills Cop,” symbolizing being aware of deceptive situations on the field.
The second saying underscores independence on the field: “Remember, we don’t have a contract with him.” Hubbard elaborated, stating that it means not relying on others’ actions but focusing on one’s own game plan.
Finally, Parmalee uses “Linda Blair it” to emphasize readiness for receiving passes. The phrase refers to Linda Blair’s role in “The Exorcist,” where her character’s head spins around—a reminder for players to be alert for check-down passes.
Though some of these references predate many of his players’ birth years, they serve as effective teaching tools under Parmalee’s guidance. As Raheem Blackshear joked about his age relative to these cultural references: “No, I think I’m a little too young for that.”
