Ryan Kalil: Panthers will win Super Bowl

Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil guaranteed his team will win this season's Super Bowl in an ad placed in the Charlotte Observer.

Kalil's team didn't back away from his comments. The Panthers' official Twitter account tweeted a copy of the ad.

[tweet https://twitter.com/Panthers/status/228117888207319041]

The Panthers finished 6-10 last season, which placed them third in the NFC South. Quarterback Cam Newton won the Rookie of the Year Award and could have a breakout season this year. Although a playoff appearance is within reach, a Super Bowl title would certainly be a surprise.

It seems possible the main goal of the ad was to thank the fans and get them excited for training camp and the season -- and not to seriously guarantee a title.

But Kalil's ad encourages Carolina fans to believe in the team.

"...Now, look closer," the ad says. "At the daunting, unpaved path ahead, lined with detours, naysayers, and walls which seem insurmountable. But not for you. You'll ignore what you hear and break through ANYTHING that stands in your way. Because you see what's at the end of this...

"Victory.

"One-hundred percent, sterling silver victory. The Lombardi trophy. And it reads:

"CAROLINA PANTHERS -- SUPER BOWL XLVII CHAMPIONS!"