Rucker Retires

Mike Rucker is retiring, according to reports out of ESPN.com.  The 33-year-old defensive end is an unrestricted free agent, but apparently felt he would be best served hanging up his cleats than looking for a new team.  Carolina didn’t re-sign Rucker immediately in the offseason, mostly because they were waiting to see if Rucker would actually retire.  It doesn’t appear that Rucker harbors any sort of animosity toward the Panthers for their waiting game.  After a knee surgery in 2006, Rucker was not the same player last season, and many analysts felt that it may have been his last year in the NFL.

It would now seem those pundits were exactly right.  Rucker has played his last game in the National Football League.  He was moved to tears during his last game of the season in 2007, and it now seems fitting.  Rucker had an amazing career at Carolina, and he leaves as one of their most beloved players.  A 10-year career in the NFL is nothing to sneeze at, and Rucker was a formidable force for the entirety of his time in the league.  31 years of age is just too late in one’s life to undergo serious knee surgery in the NFL.  Rucker will certainly be missed by the Carolina fans, organization and his teammates.

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