CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Sweat poured from seemingly every inch of Ryan Kalil's 33-year-old body last week after what was the last minicamp practice of his NFL career.
"Can we stand in the shade?" the Carolina Panthers center asked as the temperature and humidity both soared into the 90s.
This time next year Kalil can stand in the shade all he wants. He is retiring following the 2018 season, his 12th since the Panthers selected him in the second round of the 2007 draft.
He made the decision this year after exhaustive talks with his family, former players such as Jake Delhomme and Jordan Gross, and former Carolina offensive line coach Ray Brown, who played 20 NFL seasons.