North Carolina voters aren't likely to get a chance to send a second ex-NFL player to Congress.

Former Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he has decided against seeking the Republican nomination for the 8th District seat in 2010.

Ex-Washington Redskins quarterback Heath Shuler, a Democrat, holds the state's 11th District seat. Republicans hosted Minter in Washington earlier this month in hopes the popular ex-Panther would decide to challenge Democrat Larry Kissell, who beat 10-year Republican incumbent Robin Hayes in November's election.

Minter said he decided the job would put too much of a strain on his family.

"Giving it all you can give to run for a race like that and then having my kids at 14, 12 and the twin girls at 7, that was something that was weighing heavily on my heart at this point," Minter said.

Minter said he would throw his support behind Hayes if he decides to run again for the suburban Charlotte seat.

"He's thinking about it and not sure what he's going to do at this point," Minter said.

Hayes said he asked Minter to consider running because he thinks Minter would make a great candidate. Hayes indicated he hoped to make a decision by the middle of summer.

"I want to be sure we have a really quality candidate running in the 8th District," Hayes said.

A second-round pick out of Nebraska in 1997, Minter became a mainstay in the Panthers' secondary and remains the team's all-time leading tackler. He retired in training camp in 2007 because of chronic knee pain.

Minter is involved in several business, charitable and religious activities and has even attempted acting. He'll play the lead role in a movie that begins filming next month.

Minter is also coaching a local high school football team and is involved in UNC Charlotte's efforts to start a football program.

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Associated Press writer Mike Baker in Raleigh contributed to this report.