At a Glance
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, one of the NFL’s hardest hitters was softened up like a Teddy Bear. “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.
