Kris Mangum

done

 

http://www.panthers.com/Common/Article.aspx?id=17086





Carolina Panthers tight end Kris Mangum, a seventh-round draft choice by the team in 1997 whose 126 regular season games played are third in team history, announced his retirement Wednesday.
"Kris was a completely unselfish player who only cared about how the team did," says head coach John Fox. "He was willing to do everything we asked and gave a complete effort to any assignment. He made the most of his talent and had the kind of accountability that made him a special part of our team."
"After playing ten years, it is hard to walk away, but my body is telling me it's time," says Mangum. "I could not have played for a better organization, starting with Mr. Richardson, and I feel fortunate to have played my whole career with Carolina. It was particularly good to be a part of the last five years under Coach Fox."
Despite playing behind Wesley Walls the first five years of his career, Mangum finished as the team's fifth leading career receiver with 151 catches for 1,424 yards and nine touchdowns. However, his blocking and special teams contributions were the foundation of his play, occasionally lining up in the backfield as well as at tight end.
Mangum's most memorable reception came in the 2005 playoffs when his one-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter clinched the Panthers NFC Divisional Playoff win at Chicago over the Bears.
He had only six receptions through the first three years of his career, but saw more playing time beginning in 2003. His best season came in 2004 with a career high 34 catches for 323 yards and three touchdowns.
Even with the slow start to his career, Mangum's 126 games played trailed only John Kasay's 156 games and Mike Minter's 147 games played as a Panther. His receiving yards are also eighth best in team history.

 

Retired - wow!

 

best case scenario there

And then you have Gaines, who's RFA, so he'll be an unrestricted free agent next year.

So it's probable we make a move here, if it hadn't been already.

 

Surprise, glad we didn't have to cut him.

Did this save us anything?

 

That TE who had the really good combine may have just moved to the top of the draft list

 

Has anyone else played their whole career for carolina and retired here? I am not talking about guys who got cut and then retired or could not get any interest from other teams.

 

scheduled to make $1.0 million this year (final year of his deal)

 

I dont think so, i believe Kris is the first. Ive gotta tip my hat to Kris. He was never the type of player "fans" wanted per say but he never moaned or griped caused any trouble or brought shame to the ORG. Just worked hard and made the team for 10 straight years.

:newsmile17: This ones for you Kris.

 

He was a blue collar guy, not the most talented but he managed to keep a job for a long time. Good to see him go out on his own terms. Maybe this will force us to address the position. In fact hiring Davidson may have had something to do with his decision to hang it up.