Sam Mills passes away
 

So sad, one of my alltime favorites:

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.

He was an inspirational force to the Panthers’ run to Super Bowl XXXVIII, delivering an emotional speech to the team before a playoff victory. Mills continued coaching through the 2004 season, but took a turn for the worst in recent weeks.

Didn't post the link, it was a sign up to read deal.

Sam Mills passes away
 

That is sad.

Sam Mills passes away
 

YEAH I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO MAKE IT. ITS TERRIBLE. GREAT PLAYER. ITS A REAL SHAME TO SEE HIM LEAVE.

Sam Mills passes away
 

I\'m going to observe a moment of silence.

It is one of those deaths that makes me wonder what I\'ve really done with my life. Sam wasn\'t much older than me, and he had already had quite a career and was well in to a second (coaching). Perhaps I\'m feeling overly melancholy today, but that hit me a bit.

Condolences to his family and close ones.

Sam Mills passes away
 

Love to 51

Prayers to the relatives and loved ones.

Sam Mills passes away
 

What a great player and a great person. \"The Field Mouse\" has passed away. What a great player on a great defense.

Sam Mills passes away
 

51

Rest in peace, Sam...

Sam Mills passes away
 

A terrible loss to all of football -- what a classy guy on and off the field. But hey Sam -- say hello to Buddy and have a beer for us.

Sam Mills passes away
 

God blessed us all by knowing and watching Sam play. He was a wonderful man and will be missed. My thoughts and condolences to his family.

Sam Mills passes away
 

Sam was a great lb.

RIP #51

Sam Mills passes away
 

Sam was one classy guy, he was a role model for the young kids coming up, guys just coming into the NFL need to do as he did on and off the field because he did things the right way, he did a lot for the city of New Orleans, I now hope they do something nice for him in N.O because he deserves it, he wasn\'t the biggest guy to play in the pros but his heart was huge, very sad news.


God Bless You Sam Mills

Sam Mills passes away
 

The little engine that could will be missed by everyone. I think next to Rickey, Sam was the best linebacker in Saint\'s history.

Sam Mills passes away
 

I just wanted to log in and pay my respects to one of the greatest men the NFL has , or ever will see...

Sam Mills was one of my childhood heroes..and is now one of my life heroes...He was a great man...and he will be missed..

Thank you Sam for bieng the kind of man you were...and helping us as fans appreciate what the team, and the game mean to so many of us..

We love you Sam...I know peace will find you at last...

Sam Mills passes away
 

This is sad news.I didn\'t even know that his health had deteriorated. Sam as a model on & off the field. We haven\'t had much of an LB corp since the Dome Patrol was disbanded. Sam will finally get the ring he deserves.

Sam Mills passes away
 

Another great Saint joins Buddy D in the sky. I was sad when he left New Orleans, and I\'m even sadder now.

In a lifetime of overcoming odds, I really thought 51 was gonna beat it this one, too. Condolences to his family and many friends.

Sam Mills passes away
 

I feel like I just got punched in the gut. :(

What terrible news. RIP Sam - you were the best MLB to ever wear Black and Gold... a hero of mine for a long time.