Former Panthers linebacker Sam Mills not selected to Pro Football Hall of Fame
Sam Mills’ name has many things associated with it for the Carolina Panthers. For now, Hall of Famer will have to wait.
Mills was not selected to be part of the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame class Saturday. This year was Mills’ first as a finalist for the Hall. He had been a semifinalist twice (2016, 2019). This was his 18th year of eligibility for the Hall, the most of any finalist in this class. Only two Panthers players are in the Hall, Reggie White and Kevin Greene. Former general manager Bill Polian is also in the Hall of Fame.
The former Panthers assistant and later linebackers coach died after a battle with intestinal cancer in 2005. He coached until 2004 despite dealing with the illness. After his death, the Panthers retired his jersey number, 51. Mills is also in the Panthers Hall of Honor and has a statue outside Bank of America Stadium.
After spending nine years with the Saints (1986-1994), Mills was one of the original Panthers in 1995. He played in Carolina for three seasons, totaling 331 tackles, seven interceptions, 10 sacks and six forced fumbles. He finished his career with 1,265 tackles, 20.5 sacks, 11 interceptions and 22 forced fumbles.
He was a five-time Pro Bowler and a one time First Team All-Pro selection following a remarkable 1996 season, in which the Panthers won the division and made the NFC Championship game.
Perhaps Mills’ most notable accomplishment in Carolina was coining the phrase “Keep Pounding.” During his time as an assistant coach in Carolina, Mills began a battle with cancer and was given three or four months to live. More than three months later, he delivered his famous speech prior to the 2003 home playoff game vs. the Cowboys, enforcing the message to “keep pounding,” no matter the obstacles. The Panthers reached the Super Bowl that year, and the phrase has become the team’s mantra.
The Keep Pounding Fund was established by the team to support Mills. Since its establishment in 2003, the fund has raised nearly $3 million to help support cancer programs at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute and Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital.
His son, Sam Mills III, was an assistant coach with the Panthers from 2005-2019. This offseason he joined former Panthers head coach Ron Rivera’s staff in Washington as the team’s defensive line coach.
Finalists must receive a minimum of 80 percent of positive votes from the 48-member Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee on Selection Saturday before the Super Bowl to be approved.
This story was originally published February 1, 2020 at 5:46 PM.
