Panther will meet his `American Idol'

Jordan Gross switches roles this week.

Instead of being a focus of media and fan attention as a Carolina Panthers starting tackle, he'll be a reporter/commentator covering one of his favorite television events -- the grand finale of "American Idol."

Gross and Beth Troutman will report from Hollywood for Fox Charlotte's coverage on WCCB-TV (Channel 18).

"I'm real excited to meet the people face-to-face," said Gross, who caught the attention of AAA Carolinas when the Panthers' Web site (www.panthers.com) posted his commentary about the "Idol" competition. Gross said AAA worked with Fox Charlotte to give him the opportunity to begin his media career.

"It's going to be awesome," he said. "It's not as big as the Super Bowl, but it's kind of like going to the Super Bowl."

He admits to being a wide-eyed fan of the show.

"My wife and I have been watching it since the first season," Gross said. "You'd be amazed by how much `Idol' talk goes on in the (Panthers') weight room and locker room after the show. I guess I've got a loud enough opinion that it caught the attention of the guys on our Web site, and I sort of got the tag of being the `Idol' guy."

Gross said other Panthers players who are big fans of the show include quarterback Jake Delhomme, defensive tackle Jordan Carstens, receiver Keary Colbert and offensive lineman Geoff Hangartner.

Two finalists remain in the competition -- Jordin Sparks, 17, of Glendale Ariz.; and Blake Lewis, 25, of Bothell, Wash. They'll battle it out Tuesday night from 8-9 p.m. and Wednesday from 7:30-10 p.m.

Gross and Troutman begin airing reports tonight at 10. They'll make regular reports Monday through Thursday on "Fox News Rising" (5:30-8 a.m.), Fox News at 10 p.m., and "Fox News Edge" (10:30 p.m.)

Gross said he doesn't expect to get much sleep because he'll have to be awake by 2 a.m. in California to appear on the early morning Charlotte show.

"I'll be a walking zombie by the end," he said.

Though he said Jordin is loaded with natural talent and is probably favored, he's pulling for Blake.

"I've said from the beginning that Blake Lewis is my guy," Gross said. "I like that Blake brings something original to the table every week."

Once the show is over and Gross returns to Charlotte, he knows he'll be the subject of plenty of kidding and critique from his teammates.

"They'll be teasing me like crazy if I mess up at all," he said.