Houston ? A knee ligament ripped first, then a kneecap cracked in half. A sports hernia followed.

All told, John Kasay was healthy at the end of only one season between 1999 and 2002.

So, last summer, the 33-year-old kicker whose left leg is held together by screws, pins and wire understood Carolina might not want to rely on him.

“I didn’t have a real good track record,” he said.

Coaches waited until the final round of cuts during training camp, then opted to stick with Kasay. It has worked out quite well.

The Panthers are in the Super Bowl for the first time in their nine-year history and Kasay, the last player left from the original squad, is a key reason why.

He kicked four game-winners during an 11-5 season, matching his total for all his other years in Carolina. Then he opened the playoffs with five field goals against Dallas, tying a postseason record.

He made three more in regulation the next week against St. Louis, helping the Panthers force overtime. He made a 40-yarder that would’ve won it if Carolina hadn’t been called for delay of game. Pushed back to 45 yards, he missed. The Panthers won with a touchdown in double overtime.

Kasay was needed only for extra points in the NFC championship against Philadelphia. It was just the second time this season he didn’t attempt a field goal.

“I think he’s been as good a representative as you can possibly have as far as his work in the community, in the locker room for me and, obviously, his abilities on the field,” coach John Fox said. “He’s a guy I am proud to be associated with.”

Kasay broke in with Seattle, then he and defensive end Mike Fox became Carolina’s first free-agent signees in February 1995. When the Panthers made the NFC championship the next season, Kasay set an NFL record with 37 field goals.

He was the league’s most accurate kicker in 1999 until blowing out his left knee. The kneecap splintered in the first practice of the following training camp, ending his season.

Shayne Graham filled in pretty well and was given the chance to beat out Kasay in training camp. Fox’s choice of Kasay has worked out as well as switching to Jake Delhomme at quarterback in the opener.

“I’m very appreciative and very thankful for the patience and persistence they’ve had in dealing with me and not throwing me under the bus,” Kasay said. “They could’ve done that very easily.”