Sam Mills Passed?

[batgrafix]

I am getting info from a couple different sources that Sam Mills has passed away, but I can't substantiate it.

[meatpile]

Damn. I could say I hope not, but what I'd really mean is that I wish he hadn't become terminally ill. If he went, i'm glad he's through suffering.

[buck nasty]

Damn. I could say I hope not, but what I'd really mean is that I wish he hadn't become terminally ill. If he went, i'm glad he's through suffering.

no doubt.

3

[Sackem90]

I am getting info from a couple different sources that Sam Mills has passed away, but I can't substantiate it.
Oh, no. If he has, then

3

and

:angel3:


:weeping:


Just a small edit: Somebody over at the Charlotte.com board said that they had some inside info and said that he (Sam) HAD passed away. Damn! :(

[FAN01]

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/football/nfl/carolina_panthers/11425431.htm

[Reznor]

Sam Mills, the Carolina Panthers linebackers coach and one of the best players in franchise history, has lost his lengthy battle with intestinal cancer.

Mills, 45, died Monday, according to National Football League sources.

Mills was diagnosed 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.

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/11425431.htm


I'm sad, but I'm glad he doesn't have to suffer any longer.

[lde]

I'm glad his suffering is over, and that he got to enjoy a little bit of it.

I'm feeling very sad though.

Thank you Sam for everything.

[jig]

3
May he suffer no more.

[The Brain]

The angels just got a good 1.

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[Reznor]

The angels just got a good 1.

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51



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[slydevl]

Thanks Sam for being an admirable ambassador for our team.


3

[Savio]

3

[The Brain]

We'll always remember...

http://www.gastongazette.com/Portal/Sports/Panthers/History/mills_hall.jpg

[chipshot]

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[Wp28]

51

[WYDD]

51

[vpkozel]

Shit. Shit. Shit.

3

[Foxman]

51


:!tears3:

[El Bastardo]

3

[muff_spelunker]

RIP aka "General Mills" aka "Field Mouse"

3

[WYDD]

hey larry, how bout something for the splash page. damn, this sux.

[LarryD]

3

[HardHarry]

51 :bowdown2: :weeping:

[QC REPRESENT]

R.I.P

http://extras.journalnow.com/superbowl/photos/01292004/04.jpg

[Sportsgirl]

51

[Village Idiot]

51

[Applejack]

Sam RIP

I liked the way he played. He was older and smallish for the position when he played at Carolina but he was one of the best there.

[Dukesuckgounc]

51 We will miss you SAM :angle2: You teach us some thing.That even if you have a cancer don't give up keep going to work keep fighting.

[HighPoint49er]

Truly one of the best, on and off the field!

51

http://www.enquirer.com/editions/1997/01/06/mills_400x522.jpg

[Thelt]

http://www.gastongazette.com/Portal/Sports/Panthers/History/mills_hall.jpg

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[Trace]

That sucks. 51-3

[The Brain]

I wonder if anyone will go leave wreaths and flowers and other mementos around his statue. I hope so.

[PantherPaul]

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[WYDD]

i'm gonna be working uptown tonight. i've seriously thought about it.

[TimTam]

this sucks


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[Sackem90]

This pretty much seals it. We are going to the SB and we will win it because the guys WILL dedicate this season to him.




3
51
FOREVER

Do you think that maybe now they will retire his jersey?

[slydevl]

Do you think that maybe now they will retire his jersey?
:banginghe

[magnus]

that's just beyond words. He was this franchise, from start to end. It'll just never be the same without him, just a hard working, intelligent grunt who touched millions of lives when most said he shouldn't have done anything at all.

[CarMike]

Redskins fan here.

Sorry to hear about Sam Mills. A great player and even better, a great human being.

RIP Sam Mills....

You guys are right....this does suck.

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[UNCfever]

51

[Guest]

life is not fair....seems like the best people pass too soon.

[Sackem90]

:banginghe
The reason I said that was knowing our organization, they won't do it for some stupid reason. :huh: :shakehead

[slydevl]

The reason I said that was knowing our organization, they won't do it for some stupid reason. :huh: :shakehead
Sam has passed and without a doubt that sucks big time. But you don't retire a players jersey just because he died. I had problem with the Hornets doing it for Phils and I would have a problem with them doing it for Sam. This is a sentimental time and a time for reflection on a great man but I don't think his jersey should be retired.

[SilverSurfer]

Great. :( This is the first thing I see when I get back from being out of town for 4 days. How depressing. But I'm glad Sam's suffering is over. I'm sure 51 will be remembered by the Panthers organization forever.

R.I.P. Sam, God be with you.

[solarte1969]

3

[Southern_Yankee]

51 :229031_ha

[Sackem90]

Sam has passed and without a doubt that sucks big time. But you don't retire a players jersey just because he died. I had problem with the Hornets doing it for Phils and I would have a problem with them doing it for Sam. This is a sentimental time and a time for reflection on a great man but I don't think his jersey should be retired.
I disagree. He meant a lot to this team as a player and a coach. It makes it even more "special" that he coached while taking his chemo treatments and acted like it was no big deal. He was a fan fave and well loved. I think eventually they will retire his jersey just like they put a statue outside the stadium to honor him.

[slydevl]

I think eventually they will retire his jersey just like they put a statue outside the stadium to honor him.
Had a problem with that too but moreso at the time it was done it was unwarranted. Now, it probably is. But for his whole contribution to the team, not as a player.

[PantherPaul]

This is my fondest Sam Mills memory

[kickazzz2000]

51


:(

[The Brain]

Sam Mills Avatar

This really nice guy at SaintsReport.com gave me this and I thought I'd share it if any of you wanted it as well.

[Foxman]

They should lower the Panther Flag to half staff for the week at least IMO.

[observer]

I took my 13 yr old son and two friends to the Panthers/Falcons game last fall. We got 4 great seats thanks to an outstanding ticket employee who helped us out. After the game, the boys wanted to get autographs - understandably hard to do after a loss. Sam Mills came by and stopped and when I told him one of my son's friends was currently battling cancer (he was less than 48 hrs from his last 5 day chemo and a real trooper that day) Sam stopped to talk to him about his cancer and treatment and encouraged him to "keep pounding". It was a moving moment - one we will never forget. Thanks, Sam, for encouraging and inspiring all of us.

[DJ_Tet]

http://www.gastongazette.com/Portal/Sports/Panthers/History/mills_hall.jpg http://www.gastongazette.com/Portal/Sports/Panthers/History/mills_hall.jpg http://www.gastongazette.com/Portal/Sports/Panthers/History/mills_hall.jpg

[gutter]

My top three all time favorite players.



John Riggans, Sam Mills, and Walter Payton


He is a class act and I am sad today.

[Malapoo]

My heart is broken. I'm glad that he came to the Carolinas, he was a truly wonderful human being on and off the football field. Always had time for people. My prayers are with his family at this very sad time.

Please anyone who can take flowers to his statue do so, I wish I could get there.

[smashmouth5]

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3 :1panthers

[Big Mark]

34

92

now

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God's building a hell of a team up there.

[The_professor]

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[reb]

51




Thank you for making my team a force. You will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, Mr. Mills

[Coops Greatest Fan]

This news more than sucks.......May he rest in peace. He was a good man.

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[MoBigBo]

51

[Mr. Scot]

Lord, what a sad day :(

It's well known that the Panthers equipment manager will never issue the number 51 to anyone. I'd like to see them officially retire it, but whether they do or not, you won't see it as long as Jackie Miles has a say. Whatever method the team chooses to honor him, I’m sure it will be something special.

There’s a few things I’d certainly love to see done in his memory. I'd love to see his image somewhere in the header of Panthers.com for the coming season. I’ve also said I would love to see some kind of tribute at the week one Panthers-Saints game. In an era where me-first, money-hungry attention whores tend to grab all the headlines, we sure could use more people like Sam.

I watched Will Witherspoon's interview on ESPN News. He seemed so thoroughly shaken up. If this is making those of us who are just fans upset, I can imagine what it's like for his teammates, and even worse for his family :(

Sam, it was a privilege to see you play. I wish I could have had the even greater privilege of meeting you. I also wish you would have lived long enough to see the team win a Super Bowl and attend your own induction in the Hall of Fame. One thing I know for certain, the team victory would have been a much bigger thing to you than the personal honor. That's the kind of guy you were.

Thank you for your time with us. You will be sorely missed.

[LarryD]

nflta replayed a 1997 nfl films piece on sam tonight -- good stuff.

[y2b]

I met Sam once at training camp the year I moved to Charlotte...which turned out to be the SB run...

We just stood by the ropes and joked back and forth like he was one of my own buddies, laughing and carring on for about 20 minutes before the team started practice. We shook hands, had a little sholder hug. I wasn't even thinking about autographs or pictures, I just felt like he was so approachable, I'd see him again someday and do something like that then.

I can't even imagine how horrible it must be for the ones who were really close to him: teammates, friends, and as a husband and a Father. I'm just a fan.

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[y2b]

kind of ironic we open at home against the Saints...

The Panthers & the Saints could wear his number this year, couldn't they?

[lj4three]

this is a sad day for charlotte and anyone who ever knew sam mills.

rest in peace, sam.

:(

[Laceration]

When I told my wife she could tell I was upset. She asked me if I had ever met him. Though I hadn't, I really did feel a loss because of all the great plays I saw him make, and how much the press talked about what a great guy he was.

I really feel sad because deep down I know that the Panthers I came to love will be changed forever without Sam. It is ironic that he already has a statue. I think the Panthers should have the BOA stadium field named after him.

God Bless you, Sam Mills.

[solarte1969]

Hey all...QCH is in Las Vegas this week, and he sent me a text message:

"Could you drop a 3 into the Sam Mills thread for me?"

So for QCH....

3

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[Collin]

I was lucky enough to meet him, and was one of those rare people who are as good in person as you think they are from reading about them. His jersey is still one of my favorite things to wear.

[stratocatter]

RIP 51.

[McFly41]

How did I not hear about this sooner???

Damn it!!!

51

40

92

34

3

[batgrafix]

http://pantherfreaks.com/images/inmanfan.jpg

From a poster on my site named "inmanfan" -

[Blair]

who are the 3s and 34s for?

RIP Sam

[Applejack]

who are the 3s and 34s for?

RIP Sam

(3) Dale Earnhardt

(34) Walter Payton

[The Brain]

who are the 3s and 34s for?

RIP SamA long time ago when Dale Earnhardt first died people started doing a number 3 as a way to honor him here on this site. Well now any time anyone dies we do a 3 to honor that person's death as well. Its not really meant as much as a continuing tribute to Dale as it is a TBR tradition to honor anyone that dies with a 3.

[Blair]

Ah, thanks for the answer.

[Paladin]

If anyone gets the NFL Network, you should catch the special NFL Films is running on Mills. They show a segment from 1997 on Mills during Total Access. They ran a 30 minute piece last night with that segement and various others pasted together. I'm sure they will be replaying the 30 minute feature several times throughout the week. They've pasted together an excellent portrait of an excellent person.

[Paladin]

http://www.gastongazette.com/Portal/ASP/sports/panthers/PanthersDisplay.asp?ID=1206

We can all learn something from Sam Mills

By: Steve Reed
Gazette Sports Reporter

CHARLOTTE — Every now and again in life you meet someone special, someone who makes you want to be a better person.

Someone you can respect, someone with values and morals, with determination and guts, with inner strength and wisdom, someone who lives by that golden rule — treat others the way you want to be treated.

Someone like Sam Mills.

Of the hundreds of players who have hung their jerseys in Bank of America Stadium, I don’t know of any-one who had a bigger impact on the organization than Mills, whom I met for the first time in 1995.

Yeah, I could spend a day or two talking about how remarkable Mills was as a player, how he overcame his lack of height (5-foot-9) and forged a 12-year NFL career after getting cut early on in his career by a Canadian Football League team. I could talk about his five Pro Bowls or his ability to slam a running back in the mouth so loud you could hear it up in the press box.

But really, that isn’t what truly made Mills special.

You know that for any player to spend just three years with a team and be selected into that organiza-tion’s Hall of Honor, you have to be more than just a special football player.

And Sam Mills was.

The reason there’s a bronze statue of Mills outside of Bank of America is simply this: He epitomizes eve-rything Carolina owner Jerry Richardson wants in one of his players.

It isn’t unusual for Richardson to take the team’s top rookies for a ride around his stadium in a golf cart in the days following the NFL draft. And I’m sure on more than one occasion Richardson pointed to the statue of Mills and said, “That, right there boys, is what a football player should be.”

Mills was a leader, a tireless worker, a teammate with undying loyalty. He was a player with a passion for the game, a man who wept when he realized his career had come to an end.

But more than anything, Mills cared about other people more than himself.

That’s what made him great.

When he was diagnosed with cancer in August of 2003, most of his former teammates and friends didn’t know what to say to him.

But Mills always put them at ease, either through humor or by turning the topic back to the person he was talking to, if only by inquiring about how their wife or kids were doing.

“I got to talk to him the last couple of weeks and I knew that he wasn’t doing well, but he never wanted to bring that up,” said Panthers linebacker Will Witherspoon. “He always wanted to focus on how I was doing. There’s nothing better than the fact that he concentrated more on other people than he did himself.”

Through it all, Mills remained incredibly upbeat and true to himself and continued to set an example for others.

“I’ve never seen him downgrade anybody,” said Panthers safety Mike Minter, who played with Mills in his final season in ’97. “He always upheld his teammates and his coaches. He was always respectful to the media. I learned all that from him.

“I saw him do it, and I said, ‘Man, I want to be like that.’ So there was a lot that I took from him.”

Panthers general manager Marty Hurney added: “He’s not just one of the classiest people I’ve ever met in sports; he’s one of the classiest people I’ve met in life. He’s the kind of person you want your children to grow up to be. He treated everybody like he wanted to be treated himself. You just don’t find a better per-son.”

When Mills was diagnosed with intestinal cancer, he vowed not to give up.

And he never did.

Although radiation and chemotherapy treatments limited the amount of practices Mills could attend as a linebackers coach over the past two seasons, he found other ways to inspire his players.

During the team’s Super Bowl run in 2003, Mills spoke several times to the players, including once before a playoff win against the Dallas Cowboys.

“You look at what he was going through, battling cancer, it really shows you what kind of a man he was,” Minter said. “He looked at us before that game and said, ‘There are going to be some ups and downs in life, and there are going to be some ups and downs in this football game. But at the end of the day, we’ve got to just keep on pounding. Keep going. Never give up. And at the end of the day, we’re going to look up and be OK.’

“Just that, in itself, was so inspiring to us. Here was a guy in a life-or-death situation — but he wasn’t go-ing to give up. We were going through a football season — and after he said that, we were ready to run through a wall just for him. It was that powerful.”

Mills kept fighting, too.

At the time of his diagnosis, doctors told Mills not to expect to live more than a few months. He said he planned to live a whole lot longer.

He did — for nearly two years until he died Monday at his home with his wife and four children by his bedside.

“He was one of the fiercest competitors you would ever want to meet; and yet he also was one of the mild-est, most gentle human beings you will ever meet,” Hurney said. “I don’t think a day will go by that I won’t think about Sam Mills.

“And if I think about him and try to pattern my life after the way he lived his life, I’ll be a better person.”

These days, in professional sports, it seems risky to allow your kids look up to anyone as a role model. Too often it seems they let you down.

But Mills never did.

Added Minter: “At the end of the day, you know when someone has lived his life to the fullest, like he did, they’re going to heaven. You can be proud of that. You can be happy for him. That’s what I keep telling myself, because right now I hurt.”

And so does anyone who has ever had the privilege of knowing Sam Mills.

[PantherMills]

Sam was everything that was good about sports...my all-time favorite Panther...

see you in heaven, Sam.

[Mr. Scot]

I like the "Mills Field" idea. It'll likely never happen, but I'd be for it.

[Dukesuckgounc]

I got an Idea. Make a jersey sign if you have cancer keep fighting because it not the end of your life.Give every 1$ from this jersey sell to his family.Or if his famliy would like give the cash to cancer resarch.

[solarte1969]

I like the Mills Field as well, but this season, the Panthers should make both of the 49 yard lines "51"....just paint the 51 on either side of the hash at the sideline.....a fitting tribute to the man in the short term.

[LarryD]

that's an interesting idea, but i don't think they'll ever do it as it messes with the field of play. maybe make a marker on the sidelines at the 51-yard line.

[vpkozel]

I like the Mills Field as well, but this season, the Panthers should make both of the 49 yard lines "51"....just paint the 51 on either side of the hash at the sideline.....a fitting tribute to the man in the short term.

Dood - that's awesome. Every time I saw the 22 yard line at Kenan it gave me goose bumps.

[hasbeen99]

These two quotes say it best to me:

“That, right there boys, is what a football player should be.”
"He was the kind of person you want your children to grow up to be."I never met the man, but I wish I could have. Even at 5'9", he was a man's man, who brought a commanding presence and a huge heart. This franchise, this league, and this world is poorer for his loss. Thank you, Sam.

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[Malapoo]

I met Sam twice at post game events when they were up at Founders Hall. First time he was signing autographs and I just said great game and glad he had come to the Carolinas. He'd look you right in the eye and smile and you just felt like he was genuinely happy to talk to you.

The seond time I don't really remember our conversation - short and game related - the lines were long and I always try not to take too much of any player's time. Then Sam went up and talked with the radio guys, fielded questions and hung around and then he was set to leave. He was walking toward the exit from the hall, I'm sure ready to be home with his family and some kids asked for autographs and he obliged them. My husband loves football, but isn't really a "player fan" specifically but is a HUGE Mills fan but he never approaches players feeling he doesn't know what to say to them, but he was obviously wanting to meet Sam and when Sam stopped for the kids, I pushed my husband and said GO NOW! Sam again stopped, shook my husband's hand and they stood and talked for several minutes with Sam grinnning and laughing the entire time and in a relaxed stance that said he'd stand there and talk as long as my husband wanted - no glancing at his watch, or tension of "hey buddy I'm off duty now". My husband didn't keep him long and thanked him profusely and Sam patted his back and then walked away slowly - not rushing because some jerk delayed him. I know that moment means a great deal to my husband even if he'd never say so.

The last time I saw Sam was the final week of practice this year. Players were coming out and Sam came by with another coach. He looked pretty serious. I got his picture as he approached and then said "Sam, we all love you. Keep pounding" and he just grinned and said a very soft "Thank you". When I said it, I meant we as in all the fans especially the folks at all the message boards I frequent.

I still cry if I think about his passing too much. It wasn't that he was just a great football player, he was the type of HUMAN BEING this world needs a lot more of. As one of his friends has said since his passing if I can be even a little more like Sam, I'll be a much better person.

The heavens shine brighter because of his presence.