Defensive end Mike Rucker, who ranks among the top three players in Carolina Panthers history for tackles, sacks, games played and games started, announced his retirement Tuesday. He finishes his nine-year NFL career, all with the Panthers, with 553 tackles, which rank second in team annals, and 55.5 sacks, just a half-sack behind Julius Peppers as the franchise's all-time leader.
Rucker's 139 games played and 107 games started rank as the third most in franchise history behind John Kasay's 173 and former safety Mike Minter's 148 games played and Minter's 141 and Muhsin Muhammad's 113 games started, respectively. He also stands third with 14 forced fumbles and six opponents fumble recoveries and is one of four players in team history to accumulate 400 or more tackles.
"Carolina is the only place where I have been in the NFL, and I am proud to play with one team and one ownership," Rucker said. "The Richardson family, the coaching staff, my teammates, the front office and the fans have always been supportive, and I want to thank each of them."
"Mike has represented the Carolina Panthers in the finest possible manner both on and off the field," said Carolina Panthers Owner/Founder Jerry Richardson. "He was a valuable member of our football team for nine years, and we are proud that he is and always will be a Carolina Panther."
"Mike Rucker has been a tremendous player for us and is one of the classiest people to have been in our organization," said Carolina Panthers General Manager Marty Hurney. "Dependability, competitiveness and productivity are all traits that Mike brought that we will miss. We wish him the best."
Rucker anchored a Panthers defense that finished in the top 10 in the NFL four times in his last six seasons. From 2002 through 2006, he played a key role in helping Carolina rank fifth in yards allowed, fourth in yards allowed per play, sixth in first downs and rushing yards and 10th in third down efficiency.
Six times during his nine seasons, Rucker played in all 16 games, and he started all seven of the Panthers playoff contests following the 2003 and 2005 seasons. In Super Bowl XXXVIII against New England, he produced a team-leading seven quarterback pressures. Rucker rated first among Carolina's defensive linemen in tackles on four occasions, including a career-high 86 in 2002, and twice led the team in sacks, including a career-best 12 in 2003 when he was selected to his only Pro Bowl.
Coming to the Panthers as a second-round draft choice (38th overall) from Nebraska in 1999, Rucker epitomized a leader. He was elected a defensive captain by his teammates in 2007 and won the team's Ed Block Courage Award after undergoing a nine-month rehabilitation from a season-ending knee injury in 2006 to play.
In the community, Rucker was as active as he was on the field. He teamed with several teammates to co-found the Ruckus House, a child development and learning facility, served as a spokesperson for the United Way and worked with the ALS Foundation to raise awareness and funds. Most recently, Rucker, along with San Diego Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo, Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris and Sports Illustrated writer Peter King, visited U.S. troops at military bases in Afghanistan as part of the NFL-USO.
http://www.panthers.com/Common/Article.aspx?id=31678
Thank you Mike
Rucker's 139 games played and 107 games started rank as the third most in franchise history behind John Kasay's 173 and former safety Mike Minter's 148 games played and Minter's 141 and Muhsin Muhammad's 113 games started, respectively. He also stands third with 14 forced fumbles and six opponents fumble recoveries and is one of four players in team history to accumulate 400 or more tackles.
"Carolina is the only place where I have been in the NFL, and I am proud to play with one team and one ownership," Rucker said. "The Richardson family, the coaching staff, my teammates, the front office and the fans have always been supportive, and I want to thank each of them."
"Mike has represented the Carolina Panthers in the finest possible manner both on and off the field," said Carolina Panthers Owner/Founder Jerry Richardson. "He was a valuable member of our football team for nine years, and we are proud that he is and always will be a Carolina Panther."
"Mike Rucker has been a tremendous player for us and is one of the classiest people to have been in our organization," said Carolina Panthers General Manager Marty Hurney. "Dependability, competitiveness and productivity are all traits that Mike brought that we will miss. We wish him the best."
Rucker anchored a Panthers defense that finished in the top 10 in the NFL four times in his last six seasons. From 2002 through 2006, he played a key role in helping Carolina rank fifth in yards allowed, fourth in yards allowed per play, sixth in first downs and rushing yards and 10th in third down efficiency.
Six times during his nine seasons, Rucker played in all 16 games, and he started all seven of the Panthers playoff contests following the 2003 and 2005 seasons. In Super Bowl XXXVIII against New England, he produced a team-leading seven quarterback pressures. Rucker rated first among Carolina's defensive linemen in tackles on four occasions, including a career-high 86 in 2002, and twice led the team in sacks, including a career-best 12 in 2003 when he was selected to his only Pro Bowl.
Coming to the Panthers as a second-round draft choice (38th overall) from Nebraska in 1999, Rucker epitomized a leader. He was elected a defensive captain by his teammates in 2007 and won the team's Ed Block Courage Award after undergoing a nine-month rehabilitation from a season-ending knee injury in 2006 to play.
In the community, Rucker was as active as he was on the field. He teamed with several teammates to co-found the Ruckus House, a child development and learning facility, served as a spokesperson for the United Way and worked with the ALS Foundation to raise awareness and funds. Most recently, Rucker, along with San Diego Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo, Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris and Sports Illustrated writer Peter King, visited U.S. troops at military bases in Afghanistan as part of the NFL-USO.
http://www.panthers.com/Common/Article.aspx?id=31678
Thank you Mike
