CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The scars on Thomas Davis' right arm that swelled to almost the size of a football after playing in Super Bowl 50 are nearly invisible.

But the scars of losing the Super Bowl to the Denver Broncos remain for the Carolina Panthers outside linebacker.

That doesn’t make Thursday’s NFL opener at Denver any more important for Davis. He refuses to call it a rematch like the rest of his teammates because it’s not the Super Bowl.

But Davis admits opening against the team that beat Carolina 24-10 in February is a little more significant because “they’re the reason we don’t have a Super Bowl ring.’’

Specifically, the Broncos are the reason Carolina owner Jerry Richardson doesn’t have a ring.

Davis on Monday revealed a private conversation he once had with Richardson, in which he promised to win him a Super Bowl. The 12-year veteran wants that more than he wants a ring for himself.

“At this point, it’s really not about me anymore,’’ Davis said. “My goal and my whole reasoning for playing as hard as I can right now, knowing that when you get to 12 years [in the league] time is starting to wind down, is you want to put a Super Bowl ring on Mr. Richardson’s finger.

“That was the promise I made to him. I’m trying to stay true to that promise. That’s one of the reasons I’m so focused on doing everything that is in my power day in and day out to make sure we’re a good football team.’’

That’s why Davis didn’t think twice playing with his right arm looking like this in the Super Bowl.

This post is not about me, or how tough I am. It's not to shine any light on me or my injuries. Our team doctors and trainers did an amazing job giving me an opportunity to get back on the field. This post is strictly to show how much love I have for my brothers and #PantherNation. Thank you all for your support and we will #KeepPounding.-TD A photo posted by td58 (@td58) on Feb 7, 2016 at 9:43pm PST

That’s why Davis is so anxious to get Carolina back to the title game this season, understanding that, at 33, he won’t have many more opportunities.

But to understand why Davis made this promise you have to go back to the second game of the 2011 season. The former Georgia star thought his career was over when he limped off the field at Bank of America Stadium with the ACL in his right knee torn for the third time in less than two years.

He was more convinced after research revealed no player successfully had come back from that situation in NFL history.

Then came a meeting in Richardson’s office that changed Davis’ mindset – and life.

Richardson told Davis he wanted him to return, that he believed he could return. He opted to keep him on the roster when other owners might have moved on.

Davis never will forget that. That’s why he made the promise.

“Because when you look at Mr. Richardson and what he’s been and what he’s done for me as a player, I mean, that’s the only thing he doesn’t have,’’ Davis said of a Super Bowl ring.

“For me as a player that has been here as long as I’ve been here . . . knowing he was that person that believed in me, that said he would give me another shot after everything I went through personally, it’s definitely something I want to be a part of.’’

Davis said quarterback Cam Newton and middle linebacker Luke Kuechly feel the same way.

“Across the board, guys are looking at it the same way,’’ he said. “We’ve all bought into that. That’s really the mindset. We want a ring for him.’’