Athletes - Sam Mills

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	Athletes - Sam Mills

Sam Mills, Jr. (born June 3, 1959 in Neptune, New Jersey, died April 18, 2005 in Charlotte, North Carolina) was an American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers.

Mills attended Montclair State University. Told he was too small to play in the NFL, he ended up with the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL for three years. During that time, he became known in the league for both his tenacity on the field and his leadership off it. His speed, surprising for a man of his size, earned him the nickname "the Field Mouse". When Stars head coach Jim Mora left the team to coach the NFL's New Orleans Saints, Mills followed his mentor. During his tenure with the Saints, Mills was a key part of the team's linebacker corps, the "Dome Patrol", in the early 1990's that consistently took the Saints to the playoffs. Mills earned four Pro Bowl appearances with the Saints, in 1987, 1988, 1991, and 1992.

Mills became a free agent at the end of the 1994 NFL season, and was signed by the expansion team Carolina Panthers. Mills became a veteran leader for the young team, and anchored the Panthers defense. In fact, Mills was the only player to start every game during the Panthers' first three season. His career rebirth gave him a fifth Pro Bowl appearance in 1996, at the age of 37. His age and experience on the Panthers team gave him a new nickname: "Pops". After retiring in 1997, Mills stayed with the organization as a linebackers coach. Young players like Dan Morgan cite his leadership and experience as helpful to their careers.

Mills played 12 seasons in the NFL and recorded 1,319 tackles, 20.5 sacks, 11 interceptions and four touchdowns while starting 173 of 181 games. He is the only person in the Carolina Panthers Hall of Fame. He was elected to both the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (1991) and the Sports Hall of Fame of New Jersey (1993).

Mills was diagnosed with intestinal cancer in August 2003. At first, doctors told him he had only several months to live. But Mills battled the disease bravely. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation, but continued coaching. He was an inspirational force in the Panthers’ post-season run to Super Bowl XXXVIII. His phrase "Keep Pounding", in an emotional speech before the Panthers' victory over the Dallas Cowboys, later became the name of a fund to sponsor cancer research programs. Mills died at his home in Charlotte, North Carolina on the morning of April 18, 2005 at the age of 45.

Mills' number #51 was retired by the Panthers and Saints at the start of the 2005 NFL season.

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Athletes - Sam Mills

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