Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Why does Sam Mills have a statue?

theedaddy

By theedaddy,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

theedaddy Newbie

theedaddy

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Cyberjag Newbie

Cyberjag

Posted
Posted

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ricky Spanish Grand Master

Ricky Spanish

Posted
Posted

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Camp Fodder
      BREAKING: Panthers interested in Justin Simmons

      By Camp Fodder · Posted

      Not sure if they are happy but realize they can’t upgrade everything this year and are content with the group
    • Captain Morgan
      I believe in bryce...

      By Captain Morgan · Posted

      Bryce among the 7 players Mark Ross of NFL.com guarantees will get better this season. Today, I am identifying seven players who I guarantee will improve on their 2024 output in the 2025 season. Young took tremendous strides in 2024 after returning to the starting lineup in Week 8 following his benching. He looked far more comfortable in his return and produced with consistency, as he threw for 2,104 yards with 15 TDs and six INTs in the final 10 contests. Most important perhaps is Young's confidence grew immensely down the stretch, leading Carolina to either a game-tying or game-winning drive in six of those games. Now he enters his second season in Dave Canales' system with his best supporting cast to date. The Panthers drafted wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan eighth overall to pair with Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette, who I also believe is poised for a breakout campaign this fall. The 18th-ranked rushing attack from a year ago added Rico Dowdle to complement Chuba Hubbard, giving the team a pair of 1,000-yard rushers. The Panthers have taken the necessary steps to ensure Young's third season will be the best of his career, and now it's up to him to not only continue to grow as a player but prove why he was worthy of being taken No. 1 overall in 2023. I believe that's what he will do. https://www.nfl.com/news/which-nfl-players-will-improve-in-2025-c-j-stroud-deebo-samuel-among-guaranteed-risers  
    • Icege
      BREAKING: Panthers interested in Justin Simmons

      By Icege · Posted

      While it's fair to question how impactful a player's relationship with a coach is (especially if someone has questions regarding said coach), it's important to also evaluate the difference between the players here. Jordan Fuller was pick #199 in the 6th round while Justin Simmons was #98 in the 3rd round. Jordan Fuller might have gotten a Super Bowl ring while he was with the Rams, but he got it while on the IR. Justin Simmons, on the other hand, is a x2 Pro-Bowler (2020, 2023), x4 second-team All-Pro (2019, 2021 - 2023), and was the NFL co-leader in INTs (2022). Simmons has also fallen off in the last couple of seasons though, grade-wise. He very well might not be that same player, which could be why the Falcons have elected to replace him with Fuller. As far as getting the best out of what he has, asking him to produce with a starting DL of A'Shawn Robinson (63.56% of the defense's snaps), LaBryan Ray (51.48%), and Shy Tuttle (50.08%) isn't reasonable. Wonnum only played in 8 games, but had the second most % of snaps (37.27%) at EDGE behind Clowney (53.53%). The second-string DL based on snap % was... and don't read this if you just ate... Charles Harris (34.48%), DeShawn Williams (27.67%), and Nick Thurman (19.7%). The second-string EDGEs based on snap count would be DJ Johnson (32.27%) and Cam Gill (18.14%). With the investments made in the run defense this season though, especially on the defensive line, it's more than fair to demand a complete turn around from last season.
×
×
  • Create New...