A tearful Mike Rucker said goodbye to football Tuesday, retiring from the Carolina Panthers as the team's second-leading tackler and one of the franchise's most beloved players.
The defensive end broke down several times as he thanked scores of people, from owner Jerry Richardson and coach John Fox to the trainers, security staff and equipment managers he befriended after spending all nine seasons of his career in Charlotte.
"I just want you to know that I gave you everything I got," Rucker told Fox. "The tank is empty. It's empty."
More than two dozen of his current and former teammates attended the news conference. His wife, gripping tissues, watched from the front row as Rucker reversed a decision made 10 weeks ago when he announced plans to play for at least one more season.
"One of the hardest things to do is to not be in those trenches with my boys," Rucker said.
Rucker said it became apparent that his body was spent after years of chasing down quarterbacks and running into 300-pound offensive linemen.
"I'm done. I have to let it go," Rucker said, his voice cracking.
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The defensive end broke down several times as he thanked scores of people, from owner Jerry Richardson and coach John Fox to the trainers, security staff and equipment managers he befriended after spending all nine seasons of his career in Charlotte.
"I just want you to know that I gave you everything I got," Rucker told Fox. "The tank is empty. It's empty."
More than two dozen of his current and former teammates attended the news conference. His wife, gripping tissues, watched from the front row as Rucker reversed a decision made 10 weeks ago when he announced plans to play for at least one more season.
"One of the hardest things to do is to not be in those trenches with my boys," Rucker said.
Rucker said it became apparent that his body was spent after years of chasing down quarterbacks and running into 300-pound offensive linemen.
"I'm done. I have to let it go," Rucker said, his voice cracking.
CLICK to read full article!!
Original Story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story....
