By Ava Simone Collier

Former NFL Carolina Panthers star, Mike Minter, knows the meaning of loyalty. Throughout his ten season career, Mike remained with the Panthers. He was not only loyal but he was also a tenacious field warrior. When the Panthers met the New England Patriots at the Super bowl in 2003, Mike broke his left foot in the third quarter but stayed in the game. Since his retirement in 2007, Mike continues to exhibit team work, a spirit of allegiance and community service. He lives in North Carolina with his wife, Kim and their four children. Mike is an entrepreneur; the owner of several businesses and a philanthropist who is making a difference. He has also penned a book entitled, “Driven by Purpose – The Power of a Dream.” To find out about Mike’s businesses and philanthropic endeavors, you can visit his website at www.mikeminter.com. Mike and I recently talked.

T2T: Mike, how did you manage to remain with the Carolina Panthers for your entire NFL career and what was the advantage of that?

MM: One of my goals when I got drafted in 1997 when I came to the NFL was to stay with one team because it’s not often done. In today’s age of free agents, people moving around and contracts going for more money, I wanted to show how I could stay with one organization. The advantage is that you get roots in one place. We can’t all play football forever. One day you will have to give up the game. With one team only, you can develop relationships and ties in the community. People love loyalty, when people stick with something and not leave. That’s a big advantage. Loyalty is stronger than anything. Also, my church home is here and I also have four kids. It has been good for them to grow up in one spot.

T2T: You are a businessman and a philanthropist. Where did that spirit of giving back to the community come from?

MM: My mother passed down to us to never forget where you come from. She instilled this in us at an early age, not by words, but in the way my mom lived. I come from 13 brothers and sisters. It was a lot of us and when any family member needed something, my mom was always there to give and help. When I was growing on, I always befriended the kid that no one liked. I always had the understanding that everyone had a special gift and I saw it. I think it’s a gift from God to be able to see that. It connects me to people and the excitement is bringing it out.

T2T: You said God first, family second, job third. Is that how you live your life?

MM: It is. When you begin to understand that if you can keep your life in balance like that, then everything else makes sense. Sometimes it gets out of balance, but if you can try to keep it, you’ll be on the right path. God is the orchestrator of all things so you start at the beginning. God gives you family – the first place where you need to use your gifts. Then you have to make a living and create opportunities for your family. It works for me. It keeps it simple.