Cris Carter retires from football, joins HBO

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ Wide receiver Cris Carter retired from football Tuesday to join HBO's ``Inside the NFL'' as a co-host. <br><br>Carter voided his contract with the Minnesota Vikings before

Tuesday, May 21st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ Wide receiver Cris Carter retired from football Tuesday to join HBO's ``Inside the NFL'' as a co-host.

Carter voided his contract with the Minnesota Vikings before the start of this year's free-agency period because he wanted to sign with a team closer to winning a Super Bowl.

It appeared Carter was set to sign with the St. Louis Rams in early March before he tried to delay an appointment with Rams coaches and players because he was in Cleveland trying to reach a deal with the Browns. The Cleveland deal fell through, the Rams said no thanks, and so did the Miami Dolphins. Suddenly, a likely Hall of Fame receiver was left without a team.

Carter, 36, will join Bob Costas, former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino and former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Cris Collinsworth in the studio show, which will premiere Sept. 12.