"If you do the things you need to do now, you can do all the things you want later."

Mike Minter, a retired NFL football safety who played his entire professional career with NFL's Carolina Panthers, shared these words of inspiration with students from Monroe Middle and Monroe High School during a motivational message he gave at the schools Wednesday, (October 28, 2009).

Minter encouraged students to stay in school and get a good education. He told them they could make their dreams come true if they believed in themselves and worked hard to become the best they could be.

He also told them to always make the decision to "do the right thing," and to not follow negative influences or negative peer pressure.

Minter joined the Panters in 1997, and went to the Super Bowl with the team. An all-pro safety, Minter officially retired from the Panthers on Aug. 7, 2007.

Minter has found success as an author, (having written the book "Driven by Purpose...The Power of a Dream,") a businessman and philanthropist.

As a motivational speaker, he shares his formula for success: "Attitude, Academics and Athletics." Minter is currently a football coach at a private school in Charlotte.

--This article was provided courtesy of the Communications Office of the Union County Public Schools.