Sam Mills - Former Panthers LB Dies

[ChiefsCountry]

Good player, sorry to hear about it.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2040015

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers linebackers coach Sam Mills, considered one of the best players in the franchise's history, has died from intestinal cancer, the team said Monday.

Mills, 45, was diagnosed in August 2003. At the time, doctors told him he had only a few months to live. But Mills underwent chemotherapy and radiation and continued coaching.

Mills continued coaching through the 2004 season, but took a turn for the worst in recent weeks.

He had a 12-year career and is the only player in the Panthers Hall of Fame. Mills also is a member of the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame and the Sports Hall of Fames for Louisiana and New Jersey.

[JimNasium]

I was living in New Orleans when Sam was with the Saints. He was a great player and was fun to watch. I wish the best to his family and loved ones.

[jettio]

Darn shame.

Back when Carl Peterson was a decidedly above average football exec, he was the one who gave the undersized Mills a chance to make it in pro ball with the Phila. Stars.

[big nasty kcnut]

R.I.P. sam mills you were a hell of a LB like DT.

[AZChief]

Sorry to hear this news. He fought it all the way to the end. I was always impressed that he continued to coach after his diagnosis and chemo.

one of the good guys...

AZ

[ROYC75]

Sad news, RIP Sam.

[Simplex3]

That sucks. The Mouse was a badass. What was he, like 4ft 3 or something?

[Athis]

From the Saints site..
Despite his size (5-9, 225 pounds), Mills was regarded as a linebacker who was an excellent run-stopper. Because of his speed and cover ability, he earned the nickname of "Field Mouse" from his teammates for his persistence in making plays all over the field.

During those nine seasons with the Saints, Mills was selected to the Pro Bowl four times and was part of history when he and the other linebackers of the New Orleans famed "Dome Patrol" -- Vaughan Johnson, Rickey Jackson and Pat Swilling -- were all chosen to the 1992 Pro Bowl, the first time a team sent all four of its linebackers to Hawaii for the game.

[alpha_omega]

RIP Sam

[Rausch]

He was won of my faves. That sucks.

RIP...

[Sure-Oz]

That really stinks, RIP Sam.

[HC_Chief]

He was a great player

[Spicy McHaggis]

RIP Sam, another gone too young.

[Thig Lyfe]

Quite sad indeed.

RIP

[FloridaChief]

Sorry to hear it. My thoughts go out to his family. Sam truly fought the good fight...

[DTLB58]

From the Saints site..
Despite his size (5-9, 225 pounds), Mills was regarded as a linebacker who was an excellent run-stopper. Because of his speed and cover ability, he earned the nickname of "Field Mouse" from his teammates for his persistence in making plays all over the field.

During those nine seasons with the Saints, Mills was selected to the Pro Bowl four times and was part of history when he and the other linebackers of the New Orleans famed "Dome Patrol" -- Vaughan Johnson, Rickey Jackson and Pat Swilling -- were all chosen to the 1992 Pro Bowl, the first time a team sent all four of its linebackers to Hawaii for the game.

Those four LB's were truly four of the best ever on one team. :thumb:
Sorry to see Sam go, sounds like he was a truly great person also.

[Rain Man]

Bummer. Like others here, I was a fan of Sam Mills. He, Johnson, Jackson, and Swilling were probably in the top ten LB corps ever.

[Coach]

Bummer. Like others here, I was a fan of Sam Mills. He, Johnson, Jackson, and Swilling were probably in the top ten LB corps ever.

That I agree.

[Simplex3]

I'm curious why men who are great players AND great men are getting cancer and dying young while asshats like Jim Brown and the like seem to hang around like a festering sore forever.

[Rain Man]

I'm curious why men who are great players AND great men are getting cancer and dying young while asshats like Jim Brown and the like seem to hang around like a festering sore forever.


God's a profile guy.

[milkman]

I'm curious why men who are great players AND great men are getting cancer and dying young while asshats like Jim Brown and the like seem to hang around like a festering sore forever.

Only the good die young.

RIP Sam.
You were great both on and off the field.
You'll be missed.

[Skip Towne]

I'm curious why men who are great players AND great men are getting cancer and dying young while asshats like Jim Brown and the like seem to hang around like a festering sore forever.
Not always, Lyle Alzado died young.

[Mr. Kotter]

Too nice a guy, for such a short life. RIP Sam.