Mike Rucker

Since the age of seven, I always had this dream of playing in the National Football League. My uncle was the only boy I knew who went to college on a football scholarship. I remember going to his college games and loving the game of football and knowing from a very young age that playing football was all I wanted to do. As I went through high school and college, I was getting closer and closer to that dream.

I was so anxious on Draft Day. To graduate from college, be at home with my family and friends and to be waiting on that one phone call — it was nerve-racking. The feeling when I got that call is so hard to describe. I remember hearing the coach on the other end of the line say, “Hey, are you ready to become a Carolina Panther?” I was like, “Heck yeah! I've been waiting my whole life for this.” It was such a great feeling.

Ever since I was young, I would call my mom and we would set goals — for the game and for the upcoming year. One of the things I felt really confident about was the fact that I’d reached all my goals except three — play 10 years (I played nine), play with my brother (I missed him by three months), and win a Super Bowl (missed that by three points). So, I felt complete in my journey.

I was going to retire in 2006, but I tore my ACL in December and didn't want to leave the game that way. I remember going into the locker room after I tore my ACL and just crying. I was like, “Lord, this long journey has been an awesome journey, but I don't want to go out this way.” I don't know what came over me but after 24 hours, I was like, “Let's go get this!” After seven months of rehab, I was back on the field. After that season, I felt I could retire.

During the offseason, I would work with my Director of Player Engagement to complete internships, which helped me identify what I wanted or didn’t want to do. I was able, in a short amount of time, to check things off so I wasn't spinning my wheels after I was done playing in the NFL.

I think being able to turn my love for football on and off also played a huge role in my transition. I loved the game of football, but I wasn’t in love with it — it wasn’t my identity.

About seven years ago, I was in New York and I was doing some community work for the league office when I met Tracy Perlman, Senior VP of Communications and Marketing for the NFL. One year later she reached out to me and asked if I was interested in being a part of the NFL Legends Community.

Of course, I was onboard because for me, it's about serving others. I felt like this was a great space to help serve my brothers. It’s been a great opportunity thus far. I’ve been here since the start and having a blank canvas to help create something designed specifically for former players is special.

I started a full-service real estate company, Vision Group Realty, in 2004. The initial purpose was to help teammates and other football players relocate when they were drafted, traded, cut or transitioning. As time went on, we expanded and now provide realty services to everyone: athletes, entertainers, corporations, etc

Then there’s the community piece I’m involved with. After the league, I entrenched myself in giving back to our community through The Atrium Medical Center Foundation. So many people helped me get to where I am today, and I feel like it's my responsibility to give back as well.

My proudest moment is how I was able to deprogram myself from the football player and reprogram myself to be a better version of a dad and husband. It’s not perfect, but it's something that I'm continuing to work on just like I worked on myself while I was on the football field.