Former linebacker Mills dead at 45 - The Orange Mane

bloodsunday · 04-18-2005, 12:12 PM

Former linebacker Mills dead at 45

NFL.com wire reports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 18, 2005) -- The Carolina Panthers say linebackers coach Sam Mills has died from intestinal cancer.

Mills retired in 1997 after a 12-year playing career -- the first nine with New Orleans, and the final three with Carolina, which he helped lead to the 1996 NFC Championship Game. Mills is the only player in the Panthers' Hall of Fame.

Mills was elected to the Pro Bowl in 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992 and 1996.

He joined the Carolina coaching staff in 1999.

bronco militia · 04-18-2005, 12:14 PM

wow!....RIP

what a heck of player.

bloodsunday · 04-18-2005, 12:14 PM

R.I.P. Sam Mills. Always a sad day when a quality person goes so young.

Mile High Shack · 04-18-2005, 12:19 PM

R.I.P.

bendog · 04-18-2005, 12:20 PM

ohhh, he was a good guy.

Dr. Broncenstein · 04-18-2005, 12:25 PM

That had to have been some kind of weird cancer to get him at 45... or he had a familial syndrome of sorts... frightening

Pendejo · 04-18-2005, 12:26 PM

He was a very good player, and wasn't he like 5'9" or 5'8"? Exactly the type of player you'd want on your team.

Seemed like a good guy too...I'm sure he'll be missed.

DarkHorse · 04-18-2005, 12:26 PM

Wow - terrible news. Great player and an even better man.

RIP Sam Mills

watermock · 04-18-2005, 12:27 PM

He was a great player. 45.

I need to start talking to Kenny and Cartman.

It was like yesterday I wanted Denver to pick him up. I don't really know anything about him, but that's cancer for ya.

I tried to make a joke but it just won't fly. Mock has allready seen Cancer. The worst are woman freaking out. I simply can't handle it, then I turn into a blathering idiot because they can't handle death anymore than I can.

What I hate the worst is dragging that casket around on my back and trying to look stoic. Mock isn't very good at that kind of stuff. I can do it, but damn. Mock is a cryer at funerals, and always makes a fool of himself.

I can't stand funerals.

bloodsunday · 04-18-2005, 12:28 PM

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.

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, and a tryout with the Philadelphia Stars led to a roster spot.

"The USFL came at a perfect time for me," Mills, a three-time All-USFL selection who helped the Stars win league titles in 1983 and '84, said in an interview in March. "It was the most fun I ever had playing football."

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.

Born in Neptune, N.J., Mills is survived by his wife Melanie, sons Sam III and Marcus, and daughters Larissa and Sierra.

bloodsunday · 04-18-2005, 12:29 PM

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.

-- That's classic. Every team needs more men like this. --

Rascal · 04-18-2005, 12:30 PM

Great guy. RIP Sam.

Think he will get into the HOF?

SoCalBronco · 04-18-2005, 12:41 PM

RIP Sam.

ro_50 · 04-18-2005, 01:02 PM

RIP Sam. Sad day. Another person taken away too early and another great one from the ERA of the late 80's and early 90's with Reggie White.

My heart goes out to him and his family and friends.

Hogan11 · 04-18-2005, 01:09 PM

RIP Field Mouse....Man, that LB core the Saints had was something when he was there...Jackson, Johnson, Mills & Swilling.

Alkazar · 04-18-2005, 01:13 PM

Good bye Sam. You will be missed. I sure hope he is inducted, he sure deserves it...

Bronco_Beerslug · 04-18-2005, 01:26 PM

Wow! Sad news. I had the upmost respect for him. Small in stature, a huge man on the playing field!

Dr. Broncenstein · 04-18-2005, 01:27 PM

Cancer of the small bowel.... must have been a lymphoma... yikes

bpc · 04-18-2005, 03:29 PM

This is sad. All deaths from cancer are sad, however Sam Mills sticks out in our minds because he was a guy that succeeded against all odds. He truely transcended his size and stature in the NFL to become a hero for people to look up to for his hard work, determination and heart.

RIP Sam. Thanks for letting us be inspired by parts of your life.

They really don't make players like him anymore.

FADERPROOF · 04-18-2005, 03:39 PM

RIP Sam Mills, one hell of a linebacker.

Mr. Trout · 04-18-2005, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Broncenstein

That had to have been some kind of weird cancer to get him at 45... or he had a familial syndrome of sorts... frightening

It was intestinal cancer. I haven't heard too much about it but it must have been pretty brutal.

Crushaholic · 04-18-2005, 03:48 PM

Sam Mills deserved a better life after football than to be stricken with cancer. He will be missed...

Breck Bronc · 04-18-2005, 03:52 PM

RIP Sam. Truly sad news today.

dbroncos31 · 04-18-2005, 04:02 PM

This sucks. i hate it when good people die young. RIP Sam Mills

TheManeMan · 04-18-2005, 04:10 PM

First Reggie White, then Sam Mills?? Sad day when people with such character die at a young age...

04-18-2005, 12:12 PM	#1
bloodsunday Ring of Famer Nothing lasts forever. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Dove Valley Posts: 5,839 Adopt-a-Bronco: Spencer Larsen	Former linebacker Mills dead at 45 Former linebacker Mills dead at 45 NFL.com wire reports CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 18, 2005) -- The Carolina Panthers say linebackers coach Sam Mills has died from intestinal cancer. Mills retired in 1997 after a 12-year playing career -- the first nine with New Orleans, and the final three with Carolina, which he helped lead to the 1996 NFC Championship Game. Mills is the only player in the Panthers' Hall of Fame. Mills was elected to the Pro Bowl in 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992 and 1996. He joined the Carolina coaching staff in 1999.

04-18-2005, 12:28 PM	#10
bloodsunday Ring of Famer Nothing lasts forever. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Dove Valley Posts: 5,839 Adopt-a-Bronco: Spencer Larsen	Little more thorough article from ESPN 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. 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, and a tryout with the Philadelphia Stars led to a roster spot. "The USFL came at a perfect time for me," Mills, a three-time All-USFL selection who helped the Stars win league titles in 1983 and '84, said in an interview in March. "It was the most fun I ever had playing football." 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. Born in Neptune, N.J., Mills is survived by his wife Melanie, sons Sam III and Marcus, and daughters Larissa and Sierra.

04-18-2005, 12:41 PM	#13
SoCalBronco Nixonite Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 33,303 Adopt-a-Bronco: D.J. Williams	RIP Sam. __________________ ITS A PLAYOFF HOCKEY NIGHT IN PITTSBURGH!

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04-18-2005, 12:14 PM	#2
bronco militia Ring of Famer THE GREATEST Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: colorado springs, co Posts: 22,590	wow!....RIP what a heck of player.

04-18-2005, 12:19 PM	#4
Mile High Shack Ring of Famer Cock-a-doodle-do Join Date: May 2001 Location: Somewhere Posts: 17,010	R.I.P.

04-18-2005, 12:20 PM	#5
bendog Marginally Continent David Bowens, he'd be an upgrade Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Folsom Prison Posts: 19,935 Adopt-a-Bronco: David Bowens	ohhh, he was a good guy.

04-18-2005, 12:25 PM	#6
Dr. Broncenstein Overdriven Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Sterile Fields Posts: 11,619 Adopt-a-Bronco: Wesley Woodyard	That had to have been some kind of weird cancer to get him at 45... or he had a familial syndrome of sorts... frightening

04-18-2005, 12:26 PM	#7
Pendejo The off-season. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,946 Adopt-a-Bronco: "The Greek"	He was a very good player, and wasn't he like 5'9" or 5'8"? Exactly the type of player you'd want on your team. Seemed like a good guy too...I'm sure he'll be missed.

04-18-2005, 12:26 PM	#8
DarkHorse RPM Racer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 4,680 Adopt-a-Bronco: Kenny McKinley	Wow - terrible news. Great player and an even better man. RIP Sam Mills

04-18-2005, 12:27 PM	#9
watermock "Hoodie Jr" "Hug me!" Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hot Springs, Ouachitah Posts: 77,090	He was a great player. 45. I need to start talking to Kenny and Cartman. It was like yesterday I wanted Denver to pick him up. I don't really know anything about him, but that's cancer for ya. I tried to make a joke but it just won't fly. Mock has allready seen Cancer. The worst are woman freaking out. I simply can't handle it, then I turn into a blathering idiot because they can't handle death anymore than I can. What I hate the worst is dragging that casket around on my back and trying to look stoic. Mock isn't very good at that kind of stuff. I can do it, but damn. Mock is a cryer at funerals, and always makes a fool of himself. I can't stand funerals.

04-18-2005, 12:29 PM	#11
bloodsunday Ring of Famer Nothing lasts forever. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Dove Valley Posts: 5,839 Adopt-a-Bronco: Spencer Larsen	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. -- That's classic. Every team needs more men like this. --

04-18-2005, 12:30 PM	#12
Rascal RIP Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 16,581 Adopt-a-Bronco: Turf	Great guy. RIP Sam. Think he will get into the HOF?

04-18-2005, 01:02 PM	#14
ro_50 Ring of Famer Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Somewhere in Jersey Posts: 3,782	RIP Sam. Sad day. Another person taken away too early and another great one from the ERA of the late 80's and early 90's with Reggie White. My heart goes out to him and his family and friends.

04-18-2005, 01:09 PM	#15
Hogan11 Rock-N-Roll Historian Let's take these SOB's out!!!!!! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: W.NY.B.C. Posts: 21,300 Adopt-a-Bronco: Floyd Little	RIP Field Mouse....Man, that LB core the Saints had was something when he was there...Jackson, Johnson, Mills & Swilling.

04-18-2005, 01:13 PM	#16
Alkazar NPN Mascott Bronco's Thunder Join Date: May 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 4,709 Adopt-a-Bronco: Steph Alexander	Good bye Sam. You will be missed. I sure hope he is inducted, he sure deserves it...

04-18-2005, 01:26 PM	#17
Bronco_Beerslug Angling in the Deep Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Texas Riviera, Southern Mountains Posts: 24,281	Wow! Sad news. I had the upmost respect for him. Small in stature, a huge man on the playing field!

04-18-2005, 01:27 PM	#18
Dr. Broncenstein Overdriven Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Sterile Fields Posts: 11,619 Adopt-a-Bronco: Wesley Woodyard	Cancer of the small bowel.... must have been a lymphoma... yikes

04-18-2005, 03:29 PM	#19
bpc "Nemo Me Impune Lacessit" 1 sword keeps another in the sheath Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 12,570 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	This is sad. All deaths from cancer are sad, however Sam Mills sticks out in our minds because he was a guy that succeeded against all odds. He truely transcended his size and stature in the NFL to become a hero for people to look up to for his hard work, determination and heart. RIP Sam. Thanks for letting us be inspired by parts of your life. They really don't make players like him anymore.

04-18-2005, 03:39 PM	#20
FADERPROOF Bucknuts Colossus Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Eastlake OH Posts: 17,338	RIP Sam Mills, one hell of a linebacker.

04-18-2005, 03:48 PM	#22
Crushaholic Armchair Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 22,043	Sam Mills deserved a better life after football than to be stricken with cancer. He will be missed...

04-18-2005, 03:52 PM	#23
Breck Bronc Roland Deschain The Gunslinger Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 4,058	RIP Sam. Truly sad news today.

04-18-2005, 04:02 PM	#24
dbroncos31 Ring of Famer RIP D-Will Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Garrison NY Posts: 1,679	This sucks. i hate it when good people die young. RIP Sam Mills

04-18-2005, 04:10 PM	#25
TheManeMan Ring of Famer DPOY Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Posts: 5,659	First Reggie White, then Sam Mills?? Sad day when people with such character die at a young age...