Panthers Career Tackle Leader Retires

According to ESPN.com, Carolina Panthers career tackle leader Mike Minter is retiring after 10 seasons with the team.  Minter blamed his failing knees for his retirement.  At age 33, Minter is retiring one year ahead of schedule, due to injury.  The Panthers will most certainly feel the effects of losing a leader like Minter in the 2007 season.  Team owner Jerry Richardson was reported to be fighting back tears as he stood by while Minter made the announcement.  Minter was not only a great player on the field, but a team leader in the locker room, and a role model in the community.

It’s rare in the world of sports these days to see a player go through his entire career with one team in professional sports.  Minter was drafted by the Panthers in 1997.  The second-round pick went on to quickly win over Carolina fans, coaches, and teammates alike with his toughness, leadership, and character.  Minter has logged 141 starts, 94 of them consecutive.  He also has 467 more tackles than the next closest Panther to his total.  He was a great Panther and will be sorely missed this season.

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