Mike Minter is a former American football player who played as a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He was born on January 15, 1974, in Lawton, Oklahoma, and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Minter was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft and played for the team for his entire career, which spanned from 1997 to 2006. He quickly established himself as a reliable and hard-hitting safety, starting in 10 games in his rookie season and recording 70 tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
Over the course of his career, Minter became known for his toughness, leadership, and versatility. He played in 141 games for the Panthers, starting in 141 of them, and recorded 953 tackles, 15 interceptions, 10.5 sacks, and 13 forced fumbles. He was also a key contributor on special teams, returning 44 kickoffs for 1,057 yards and one touchdown.
Minter's best season came in 2003, when he helped lead the Panthers to the Super Bowl. He started in all 16 games that season, recording 94 tackles, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles. In the playoffs, he played a crucial role in the Panthers' run to the Super Bowl, intercepting two passes and recovering a fumble in three games.
Off the field, Minter was known for his community involvement and philanthropy. He founded the Minter Miracle Foundation, which provides financial assistance to families with children who have life-threatening illnesses. He was also active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and served as a motivational speaker.
After retiring from the NFL in 2007, Minter became a coach, starting as a defensive backs coach for Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. He later served as the head coach of Campbell University's football team from 2013 to 2018, leading the team to its first winning season in over 40 years in 2017.
In summary, Mike Minter was a standout safety in the NFL who played for the Carolina Panthers for his entire career. He was known for his toughness, leadership, and versatility, and helped lead the Panthers to the Super Bowl in 2003. Off the field, he was active in the community and philanthropy, and has since become a successful coach.
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