Why does Sam Mills have a statue?

[theedaddy]

*No disrespect, no negativity intended*

In the short time here, what did Mills do here as a player and coach? In which lead Mr Richardson to building a statue in his honor?

weigh-in

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Got cancer and inspired a team to a Super Bowl because he "kept pounding." In short, he embodied the sort of player Richardson wants on the team.

[PantherBob]

He got the statue right after he retired years before he got cancer. Im guessing because his career was kind of inspiration. A little guy who wasnt supposed to make it in the NFL who became a 5 time pro bowler.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

He got the statue right after he retired years before he got cancer.

Ah. Well color me retarded.

[theedaddy]

get some "wiki facts" in here

Mills became a free agent at the end of the 1994 NFL season, and was signed by the expansion Carolina Panthers. Mills became a veteran leader for the young team, the only player to start every game during the Panthers' first three seasons. An interception in a 1995 season game sealed the Panthers first ever victory in franchise history against the New York Jets. His career rebirth gave him a fifth Pro Bowl appearance in 1996 at the age of 37. After retiring in 1997, Mills stayed with the organization as a linebackers coach.

Sam Mills holds the NFL record for the oldest player to return a fumble for a touchdown (37 years, 174 days).

There is also a statue of him outside of Bank Of America stadium in Charlotte. Mills was named to the NFL All-Pro team three times in 1991, 1992, and 1996. 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. Though he was told he had only a few months to live, he underwent chemotherapy and radiation and continued to coach. He was an inspirational force in the Panthers’ post-season run to Super Bowl XXXVIII. His plea to "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. He was 45.

Mills' number 51 was retired by the Panthers at the start of the 2005 NFL season. The home field of the Montclair State University Red Hawks was named Sam Mills Stadium in his honor. Mills was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009. His son Sam Mills III holds the position of Quality Control - Defense for the Carolina Panthers.

[Cyberjag]

I think a lot of it was the desire to honor someone with a statue, and he was as worthy as anyone could be when the franchise was that young. At the time I think the sentiment was that they would have a new statue every year, but that changed after McCormick's.

I hope the next one goes to John Kasay.

[Jangler]

Because this would have looked stupid.

[Ricky Spanish]

I think a lot of it was the desire to honor someone with a statue, and he was as worthy as anyone could be when the franchise was that young. At the time I think the sentiment was that they would have a new statue every year, but that changed after McCormick's.

I hope the next one goes to John Kasay.

nah dude, the next one is matt moore. or steve smith.

[Nu Guns]

nAH....Jake and Fox cuddling

[88 Bronco]

nAH....Jake and Fox cuddling

probably not

[DudeNamedJeremy]

i heard they're already beginning the clausen statue

[88 Bronco]

link?

[necroplasm]

lol

[DudeNamedJeremy]

link?

it's on the panthers.com message boards. it's hard to find but if you look hard enough you'll find it