Panther on mission to give back to the community, also talks about steroids

03:46 PM EDT on Thursday, April 14, 2005

By SONJA GANTT / 6NEWS

6NEWS

Mike Minter talked to 6NEWS about his recent philanthropic efforts and the recent allegations of steroid abuse with three of his teammates.

Mike Minter makes a difference on the football field, but now he wants to make more of a difference to his community.

Minter donated $160,000 to his local YMCA branch in University City on Thursday in an effort to become a philanthropic leader.

“God has given you something to give back, and it might be hundreds of thousands of dollars, it might be a dollar, it doesn’t matter… it’s just what comes out of the heart,” said Minter.

The Panther player first came to the University City YMCA when he was looking for a preschool for his children. He said he has grown to love it because of the family atmosphere and because of the diversity.

“I see that the Y can reach a lot more people than Mike Minter can,” Minter said.

6NEWS

Minter has pledged a $160,000 donation to his local YMCA.

"Here's a guy who could do a lot of things and he's chosen the Y as a place (to donate). We are arguably one of Charlotte's most diverse Y's and here's a guy who stepped up to the plate and wanted to make it happen for us,” said Mike DeVaul of the YMCA.

Minter also talked to 6NEWS about the allegations of steroid use among three of his Panther teammates.

"When I first heard it I was shocked…you know steroids and Panthers,” said Minter.

However, Minter does not want people to judge everyone on the team by the actions of just a few players.

“Let’s not lump everybody in this organization as steroid users. You are talking about a handful of guys on a football team. You are not talking about everybody,” Minter said.

Minter points out that he and his teammates are no different then the rest of us when it comes to pressure—he says that sometimes we need to make the hard right decisions rather then the wrong easy ones.

“It’s not about let me get big and strong to entertain you. It’s about I’m going to entertain you with my God-given abilities,” he said.

Minter’s donation will help build a new playground for the preschool and to strengthen the branches in University City.