Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
I wish I could say Mike Rucker was destined for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He's not. But let's not sell short the career of the Carolina Panthers defensive end.
Rucker is announcing his retirement this afternoon and the Panthers will send him off with plenty of pomp and circumstance. That's the way it should be because Rucker was sa important as any player in the young history of the franchise.
He wasn't the best player by any means, but he was very solid through nine seasons. Rucker had 55.5 career sacks and made a Pro Bowl. But Rucker's contributions went beyond the field.
Rucker and safety Mike Minter, another member of the Hall of Very Good, became fixtures in the Charlotte community and rocks in the locker room. They were with the team in the dismal 1-15 season in 2001. They also emerged as leaders when coach John Fox arrived in 2002 and had the Panthers in the Super Bowl after the 2003 season.
Through all the highs and lows, Rucker and Minter were go-to guys for the media, always willing to talk after a win or a loss. Rucker and Minter, who retired before last season, were ambassadors for the Panthers and they'll remain that even in retirement.
Outside of Bank of America Stadium, there are two statues. There's one for Mike McCormack, the team's first president. There's also one for late Carolina linebacker Sam Mills. Both statues are well deserved.
Rucker and Minter didn't have the same kind of career as Mills, who spent most of his playing days with New Orleans. But Rucker and Minter did as much for the franchise as anyone.
Some day, they deserve statues of their own.
