At a Glance
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio (born January 15, 1974) College: Mike Minter led the state of Oklahoma in rushing yards as a senior at Lawton High School in Lawton, Oklahoma. Several prestigious universities across the nation recruited Minter, but he chose to attend the University of Nebraska. At the time he enrolled, Nebraska was the premier collegiate football program in the nation. He was redshirted in 1992 and spent a lot of his time in the weight room and film room. His determination to improve paid off during his first year of eligibility when he saw playing time in every game. Mike’s athleticism allowed him to play free safety, strong safety and linebacker during his time at Nebraska. As a team captain, Mike was an influential leader on and off the football field. His work ethic and study habits motivated his teammates to focus on improving each day. All the hard work paid off when the Cornhuskers were crowned national champions in 1994 and 1995. It was the first time a NCAA Division 1-A football program won consensus back-to-back championships in forty years. As a senior, Mike tied for the most interceptions on his team ranked 27th nationally. NFL Experience: Mike was the 26th pick in the 2nd round in the 1997 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers. As a rookie, Minter recorded the second most tackles among defensive backs in the NFL, despite starting only 11 of 16 games. Minter was a fast, hard-hitting and an intelligent defensive back. He started every game for nine consecutive seasons (1999-2007), only missing two due to injury. Minter became an NFL icon for his leadership and relentless style of play. He was known for playing with a list of nagging injuries most players would not attempt to play through. As a devoted team member, Mike played the entire game during Super Bowl XXXVIII, even after sustaining a broken left foot in the third quarter. His mental toughness overcame the pain. Mike ended the game with a career high 18 tackles in a losing effort versus the New England Patriots in his only super bowl appearance.Mike held four Carolina Panther records at the time of his retirement on August 7, 2007: game starts (141), consecutive starts (94), fumble recoveries (11), interceptions returned for touchdowns (4).
Bio
Career Bio: PLAYER: University of Nebraska (1992-1996), Carolina Panthers (1997-2007) Career Highlights: • Starting strong safety for the Carolina Panthers in a losing effort versus the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII• Inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame (2006)• All-Pro Second Team (Football Digest, 2003)• First-Team All Big 12 (Associated Press, 1996)• Second-Team All Big 12 (Coaches Poll, 1996)• Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week vs. Michigan State (1996)• Ton Novak Trophy Winner (1996)• University of Nebraska National Champions (1995)• Second-Team All Big 8 (Associated Press, 1995)• Big 8 Defensive Player of the Week vs. Colorado (1995)• University of Nebraska National Champions (1994)• Second-Team All Big 8 (1993) Family Bio: As the leading tackler in Carolina Panthers’ history, Mike Minter certainly became efficient in wrapping up some of the world’s fastest athletes. But like all of us, he’s still learning how to tackle his most important job - being Daddy. And with 4 children and a loving wife, he has a lot of opportunity to practice. It all started when a mutual friend introduced Mike to Kim on a blind date in 1993 in Lincoln, Nebraska. It didn’t take long for him to realize she was the one, and shortly thereafter they were married. When their first child Michael, Jr. came into the world, Minter’s heart was softened. “I was overwhelmed, scared, and wondering how I would be as a father”, he remembers. And since then, he and Kim have added Isaiah, and twins McKenna and Brianna.“Kim and I are teaching them first and foremost how important it is to have a relationship with God and that they need to respect themselves and everyone else. We also feel it is important for them to know who they are.” Like a lot of us, one of the biggest challenges Mike and Kim face is protecting their children from the constant barrage of negative messages in the media. Mike enjoys time with his kids by coaching, playing board games and just having conversations with them. And with Kim he enjoys traveling, movies, dinner and even competing with her. She lets him win sometimes.Mike’s advice for fathers? “Let your children become whatever God chooses for them and nourish their growth.” Mike has enjoyed a lot of success on the field, but it’s a loving family he enjoys the most.
Books:
• Mike Minter: Driven By Purpose The Power of a DreamMike Minter: Driven By Purpose The Power of a Dream
Foundations:
Mike has a big heart for America’s youth. Frequently, he travels the country speaking to children of all ages. So he became very disturbed when he witnessed many youngsters losing hopes of their dreams and dropping out of school. That’s when Mike felt compelled to create the ‘I Am A Foot Soldier Program’. His non-profit organization is focused on, “Recapturing the lost hope, the lost faith, and the lost dreams of those youngsters who should be the leaders of the future.” The mission statement from which Foot Soldier’s is founded upon states, “We must all come together to fight the common enemy. We are committed to the idea that when our youngsters realize that everything they do in life, in school and in their activities will either drive them closer to their dreams or further away from those dreams. We are further committed to lead them to rise up and be the champion that God created them to be.”Minter’s foundation offers coaching and training in a variety of sports in hopes to develop participant’s skills in a way that will make them stand out from the competition. The instructors encourage every individual to reach their maximum athletic potential. Minter feels that through athletics, individuals can develop important qualities that will carry over into every aspect of life. This foundation builds confidence in America’s youth, teaches them how to lead and work with others, and how to compete. I Am A Foot Soldier’s website offers tools and weekly lessons through internet podcasts. In addition, the website allows users to follow up to date news about the foundation through Facebook and Twitter. Website: http://www.iamafootsoldier.com/
Volunteer:
• Minter works with the YMCA of Greater Charlotte. A recent project of the committee was analyzing the ability to bring in food, water and resources to the poorer areas of Africa• Regional speaker for: The Kidney Foundation, The National Guard Youth Challenge program, The Salvation Army, and The Boys and Girls Club• Mentored to kids at the Omaha Youth Rap Sessions• Frequently volunteers as a community pastor in cities around the country• Attended and spoke at the Bonfire Youth Crusade in Stateville, NC• While in Miami for the College Football National Championships, Mike and other Cornhusker teammates spoke to kids in the Dade County Housing Projects about staying in school and developing role models (1994, 1995)
Business:
• Leader and founder of ‘The Minter Group.’ The group is defined as an, “Umbrella corporation for myriad business accomplishments of Mike Minter.” Several business and non-profit organizations make up The Minter Group. The conglomeration of companies consist of: Minter Properties (*which include The Citadel Property Group, Oklahoma Land Management, Pine Creek, and The Villas of Winecoff), Minter Consulting, IMAJ Salon & Spa, Recruits Unlimited and USBA Hoops.
Website:
http://www.mikeminter.com/MinterProperties.html
Additional Information:
• Served as the head of football operations at First Assembly Christian School in Concord, NC• Member of the Metropolitan Board of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte• Mike’s personal philosophy is best exemplified in the phrase “Faith, Family and Fun!”