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Just heard it on the radio...
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Call it brain fog, but who is Sam Mills?Originally posted by TheRhino -
was nfl linebacker for saints, recently a linebacker coach for panthersOriginally posted by BettorsChatedification will take place pull up the reins and get outta the race.Comment
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Always Gave A 100 Per Cent, Get Community Leader While Here In New Orleans, Team Player, Did His Job Without Complaining And Did It Well, Our Loss Heavens GainComment
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big loss to the football community he was a great man I remember seeing him here in florida for a community service run...Ive never seen a guy happier living his life then Sam mills..he was throwing footballs around with the little kids and doing signings even when he was hanging out with his family he would sign any autograph...
Sam Mills may he rest in peace was a class actQuitters Never Win, Winners Will NEVER QuitComment
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He made his mark as a Saint LB and also had some good years as a Panther...Originally posted by BettorsChat
He was a undersized I believe only 5"8 but will go down as one of the best LB's of the 90's.Comment
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Sam Mills, an undersized linebacker who became a Pro Bowl player with New Orleans and Carolina and was later an assistant coach for the Panthers, died Monday after fighting cancer for nearly two years, the Panthers said. He was 45.
Sam Mills was equally popular as a player and as a coach. (AP)
Mills, who was diagnosed with cancer of the small intestine in August 2003 but continued to coach Carolina's linebackers between chemotherapy treatments, died at his home.
"Sam was one of the finest people you will ever meet. You would never know that he was a player who made Pro Bowls and had all this attention because he treated everybody the same no matter who they were," Carolina general manager Marty Hurney said. "He never had a bad thing to say about anybody and had a great ability to laugh at himself.
"He was the type of guy you want your kids to grow up to be."
A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Mills spent the final three seasons of his 12-year NFL career with the Panthers, beginning with their inaugural season in 1995.
There is a statue of him outside Bank of America Stadium and he is the only player in the team's Hall of Honor. Mike McCormack, Carolina's first team president, is the only other inductee in the Hall.
Mills spent his first nine NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints, following three seasons in the United States Football League. He finished his career with 1,319 tackles while starting 173 of 181 games.
He joined the Panthers' coaching staff upon his retirement.
Mills was an undersized linebacker out of Montclair (N.J.) State who tried -- and failed several times -- to catch on with NFL and Canadian Football League teams. He gave professional football one last shot when the USFL debuted in 1983.
Every day, Stars coach Jim Mora asked his assistants who the best player on the field was. Every day, they told him "Sam Mills."
"I don't need a 5-9 linebacker," Mora kept saying.
Mills ended up as one of Mora's favorite players and when Mora went to the Saints after the USFL's demise, he brought Mills with him.Comment
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Sam Mills was a great LB and by all accounts even a better person. The panthers lost a great LB coach as his experience and knowledge of the game imparted to a young player is invaluable. He was Exhibit A of how on any given Sunday, will can beat skill. Guys like him are continuely looked over on draft day.... too short, forty time a tad slow, etc. What they don't do a good job of evaluating is the size of a mans heart and his leadership abilities. Football is a game of heart and passion and men like Sam Mills continue to prove it. Another good man who's time came too soon."33"Comment
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sad day for football and charlotte....
he has done alot for the community here and the panthers... he has a statute outside of Bank Of America Staduim and is 1 of 2 people in the Panthers Hall of Honor. its a big subject on sports radio today, no one knew he was in such bad shape.
steve smiths wife had her 3rd baby today, so goes to show as god gives life, he takes it away.....Comment
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God bless Sam Mills....Heart of a lion and a good man!!!Comment
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Very well said TTT. RIP Sam, you will be missed.Originally posted by TwoTonTony
~~~ TiggerComment
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Sad! He was a good linebacker. Probably would have made a better coachComment
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