Luke Combs is standing on business after a Panthers fan called him out on Twitter/X.
The 11-time CMA award winner took to social media earlier today to highlight his newly released single, “Be By You,” which dropped February 13 at midnight. The irresistibly catchy love song (which is a must listen if you haven’t already heard) is the seventh track to be released off of his upcoming album, The Way I Am, set to arrive on March 20.
With the lyrics, “I can’t leave your lovin’ alone, Where you are is where I belong,” obviously, the gushy track is dedicated to his wife of almost six years, Nicole Hocking Combs. With his Twitter announcement, Combs posted four snapshots of himself and his lovely lady.
In true Luke Combs’ fashion, he’s sporting a snapback cap in all four photos, but a user, @stutts_up took personal offense with one in particular that featured the “Hurricane” singer wearing a Jacksonville Jaguars hat. He replied to the post, “Jags hat but you’re a Panthers “fan”. Always knew you were a fake.”
Combs hilariously shot back with, “Oh yeah I should have worn a Panthers hat when I played a show at the Jaguars stadium. My bad.” The comment is hardly unusual for a performing artist. After all, when you’re playing in a massive stadium filled with thousands of fans of a particular team, it’s customary to give them a shoutout by wearing their merchandise as a sign of appreciation.
As a Huntersville, North Carolina native, Combs has never been shy about his loyalty to the Carolina Panthers. He even has his own custom button-down Bahama shirt in the Panthers Fanatics shop, along with a past collaborative merch line.
Apparently, Panthers fans took some die-hard offense to what they deemed “traitorous” behavior, with many chiming in to criticize Combs online.
Despite the Panthers fans continuing to claw at him over what is ultimately a non-issue, his snarky response remains hilarious, and he seems completely unfazed by the backlash. After all, it’s the day before Valentine’s Day, and he just released what many are calling the wedding song of the year. For fans eager to see what sports gear he wears next or, more likely, to hear the upcoming hits from his next album, Combs is heading out on his 2026 My Kinda Saturday Night World Tour starting this March through August.
Tour Dates:
March 21—Las Vegas, NV—Allegiant Stadium*
April 4—Charlottesville, VA—Scott Stadium†
April 11—Ames, IA—Jack Trice Stadium†
April 18—South Bend, IN—Notre Dame Stadium†
April 25—Columbus, OH—Ohio Stadium†
May 2—Knoxville, TN—Neyland Stadium†
May 9—Norman, OK—Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium†
May 16—Green Bay, WI—Lambeau Field†
May 30—Montreal, Quebec—Parc Jean-Drapeau†
June 6—Toronto, Ontario—Rogers Stadium†
July 4—Gothenburg, Sweden—Ullevi‡
July 7—Paris, France—Accor Arena§
July 11—Amsterdam, Netherlands—Johan Cruijff ArenA‡
July 18—Ireland—Slane Castle‡
July 25—Edinburgh, U.K.—Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium+
August 1—London, U.K.—Wembley Stadium#
*with special guests Dierks Bentley, Ty Myers and Thelma & James
†with special guests Dierks Bentley, Ty Myers, Jake Worthington and Thelma & James
‡with special guests The Script, Ty Myers and The Castellows
§with special guests Ty Myers and The Castellows
+with special guests The Teskey Brothers, Ty Myers and The Castellows
#with special guests Thomas Rhett, Ty Myers and The Castellows