SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter has decided to retire, a person familiar with the decision said Monday.
The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because an official announcement will be made Tuesday, said Minter made the decision over the weekend. He did not practice with the team Monday morning.
The Panthers have announced that Minter will hold a press conference on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. ET where he is expected to officially announce his plans to retire.
Minter said late last week he was pondering retirement because of chronic pain in his knees.
Minter, who was to enter his 11th season with Carolina, is the franchise's all-time leader in tackles. His 141 starts and 94 consecutive starts are also team records.
Before this season began, Minter took a pay cut to try and play one more year with the team that drafted him in the second round in 1997.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
