IN MY OPINION

Measure of the man

Rucker brought enormous work ethic, class

SCOTT FOWLER

Staff Photographer

4/22/2008 With his helmet on a nearby table, defensive lineman Mike Rucker announces his retirement from the Panthers during a press conference at Bank of America Stadium Tuesday afternoon. TODD SUMLIN - tsumlin@charlotteobserver.com

Rucker's Career:

Defensive end Mike Rucker ranks among Carolina's all-time statistical leaders:

TACKLES: He's second (553), behind safety Mike Minter (953). He's one of four Panthers with at least 400.
SACKS: He's second (55.5), behind Julius Peppers (56.0).
FORCED FUMBLES: He's third (14).
GAMES PLAYED: He's third (139), behind kicker John Kasay (173) and Minter (148).
GAMES STARTED: He's third (107), behind Minter (141) and Muhsin Muhammad (113).
2003: He led Carolina's defensive linemen in tackles (73), sacks (12) and made the Pro Bowl.

Eyes glistening, Mike Rucker looked at Carolina Panthers coach John Fox on Tuesday afternoon and said: "I just want you to know I gave you everything I've got. The tank is empty."

Then Rucker's tears started coming in earnest. He paused, then said again in a choked voice: "It's empty."

In fact, though, Rucker will now switch to an auxiliary tank in a different sort of car. The defensive end can ride off in a minivan into the sunset, with wife Kris and their three kids, ages 6, 4 and 1.

Rucker's retirement news conference was eloquent and powerful. He thanked people one after the other, taking his time, making sure he talked directly to both the Panthers security guards and team owner Jerry Richardson. Rucker even thanked the wife of defensive line coach Sal Sunseri for sending in homemade Italian food for the players on Mondays after Panthers victories.

As a player, Rucker was never the natural wonder that Julius Peppers is (was?). In his nine seasons, Rucker never scored a touchdown. He was a relentless worker who wore down left tackles. He told me once that he identified with the tortoise, not the hare, in the old fable. In the fourth quarter, here came No. 93, finally crossing the finish line and smacking into the quarterback's blind side.

"One of the hardest things to do is not to be in the trenches with my boys," Rucker said Tuesday, talking about what he'd miss most when the 2008 season begins. He has nine years worth of Panthers memories to fall back upon, though. Some of Rucker's favorites: soaking up the late Reggie White's wisdom at the next locker; sacking Brett Favre; and celebrating on the team plane after beating Philadelphia for the 2003 NFC championship.

Rucker was a trash-talker, which you might not think of this deeply religious man. He jabbered on the field so much that he would occasionally hyperventilate. It was mild stuff, though. Rucker would tell an offensive lineman who kept trying a similar lame move: "That's the same soup, just reheated."

Retirements are always bittersweet, but Rucker at age 33 is more prepared for the real world than 95 percent of NFL athletes. He has businesses here, along with his family and a best friend in Mike Minter.

Rucker and his wife rented a minivan and drove the kids back home to Missouri over Easter. The experience made Rucker want to buy a minivan (although he will undoubtedly make it "my wife's car" so his former teammates can't tease him as much).

And they will tease him. Quarterback Jake Delhomme hugged Rucker before the news conference, which Delhomme attended with about 25 teammates, and whispered, "Don't cry."

Rucker didn't obey that command. He's always been his own man. But he's leaving the game at exactly the right time -- both his health and classiness intact. We've all been fortunate to get to know him.

IN MY OPINION Scott Fowler