Panthers to retire Mills' 51

LordOfEntropy · 08-01-2005, 07:17 PM

IMO, we should -at least- wear Sam Mills logos on our helmets, for that game when we meet the Panthers wearing similar logos.

That would not be hard to do, how much could it cost? He deserves far more.

SaintsAvenger · 08-01-2005, 10:14 PM

Here is an Idea why not wait until the season opener when we play there and let both teams remember him together since he was important to both franchises.

RockyMountainSaint · 08-02-2005, 05:58 AM

Rickey Jackson

I agree 08.
Not the point though.
Sam Mills was 1/4 of the Dome Patrol for God's sake.
A USFL player that Mora brought along and Mills and the rest of the patrol dominated on an otherwise "very" mediocre team.

p.s. Vaughn and Pat benefited by playing next to Sam and Rickey

along · 08-02-2005, 06:58 AM

Originally Posted by saintz08

Name a better Saint LB ever.

Rickey Jackson

I second that!!!!

When Mills left us all he was a Panther and it's
only right for them to do what they want to do
to remember him first!

At the right time I feel the Saints will do what
they feel they should do to remember him!

Tobias-Reiper · 08-02-2005, 03:08 PM

...like I said, only some will understand...
... it's not a question of whose right is to remember Mills...
... while Rickey Jackson is arguably the best LB in Saints history, Sam Mills was also a great LB on his own right, and he was the leader and brains of the best LB corps ever to play the game, and that LB corps wore Black and Gold...
... yes, Ronnie Lott had the notoriety of being the "hardest hitter" in the NFLin those days, and he hit hard, but if you asked players about it, they would say they didn't want to get hit by Sam Mills...

... funny a playoff win that happened 5 years ago is regarded vis a vis the truly greats to ever wear Black and Gold...

BoudinSandwich · 08-02-2005, 04:22 PM

I'm with you guys. I'd love to see the Saints do something to honor this guy. You think there are any more Sam Mills' Saints jerseys floating around?

TallySaint · 08-15-2005, 03:20 PM

Panthers honor late linebacker, assistant coach

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers honored the late Sam Mills at halftime of their preseason game Saturday night by retiring his jersey.

Mills, who played three seasons with the Panthers and was an assistant coach in the organization for seven more, died in April after a nearly two-year battle with cancer.

"Since his retirement, no other Carolina Panther has ever worn No. 51," Carolina owner Jerry Richardson said. "We are proud to say as of tonight no Panther player will ever wear this number again."

Mills, a five-time Pro Bowl linebacker, is the only player in Carolina's Hall of Honor. There is also a bronze statue of him outside of their stadium that was erected following his retirement.

Sam Mills III, an assistant with the Panthers, accepted the framed No. 51 jersey on behalf of his family.

"My father was proud to be a Panther and I am happy to know that all of you guys supported him all the years he was here," his son said. "This is a wonderful way to close a very important chapter in his life."

A video of Mills' highlights was shown to the crowd, as well as a clip from a speech linebacker Mark Fields made at the ESPY awards earlier this year. Fields is also battling cancer and will sit out this season while undergoing treatment.

"One thing Sam Mills used to say before he passed away was you've got to `Keep pounding, keep pounding, keep pounding,' " Fields said.

"Keep pounding" was the expression Mills and Fields used to rally Carolina during the 2003 season while they both sat out with cancer. The Panthers went to the Super Bowl that season and credited Mills and Fields for inspiring them.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2133726

8)

08-01-2005, 10:14 PM	#12
SaintsAvenger Registered Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 30	Here is an Idea why not wait until the season opener when we play there and let both teams remember him together since he was important to both franchises.
SaintsAvenger Registered Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 30

08-02-2005, 06:58 AM	#14
along 100th Post Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 190	Originally Posted by saintz08 Name a better Saint LB ever. Rickey Jackson I second that!!!! When Mills left us all he was a Panther and it's only right for them to do what they want to do to remember him first! At the right time I feel the Saints will do what they feel they should do to remember him!
along 100th Post Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 190

08-01-2005, 07:17 PM	#11
LordOfEntropy 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 1,838	IMO, we should -at least- wear Sam Mills logos on our helmets, for that game when we meet the Panthers wearing similar logos. That would not be hard to do, how much could it cost? He deserves far more.

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08-02-2005, 05:58 AM	#13
RockyMountainSaint Mmm That Smell! Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Metairie Terrace Posts: 3,073	Rickey Jackson I agree 08. Not the point though. Sam Mills was 1/4 of the Dome Patrol for God's sake. A USFL player that Mora brought along and Mills and the rest of the patrol dominated on an otherwise "very" mediocre team. p.s. Vaughn and Pat benefited by playing next to Sam and Rickey

08-02-2005, 03:08 PM	#15
Tobias-Reiper Merces Letifer Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 4,161	...like I said, only some will understand... ... it's not a question of whose right is to remember Mills... ... while Rickey Jackson is arguably the best LB in Saints history, Sam Mills was also a great LB on his own right, and he was the leader and brains of the best LB corps ever to play the game, and that LB corps wore Black and Gold... ... yes, Ronnie Lott had the notoriety of being the "hardest hitter" in the NFLin those days, and he hit hard, but if you asked players about it, they would say they didn't want to get hit by Sam Mills... ... funny a playoff win that happened 5 years ago is regarded vis a vis the truly greats to ever wear Black and Gold...

08-02-2005, 04:22 PM	#16
BoudinSandwich OldiesDJ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Scott, LA Posts: 951 Blog Entries: 12	I'm with you guys. I'd love to see the Saints do something to honor this guy. You think there are any more Sam Mills' Saints jerseys floating around?

08-15-2005, 03:20 PM	#17
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	Panthers honor late linebacker, assistant coach Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers honored the late Sam Mills at halftime of their preseason game Saturday night by retiring his jersey. Mills, who played three seasons with the Panthers and was an assistant coach in the organization for seven more, died in April after a nearly two-year battle with cancer. "Since his retirement, no other Carolina Panther has ever worn No. 51," Carolina owner Jerry Richardson said. "We are proud to say as of tonight no Panther player will ever wear this number again." Mills, a five-time Pro Bowl linebacker, is the only player in Carolina's Hall of Honor. There is also a bronze statue of him outside of their stadium that was erected following his retirement. Sam Mills III, an assistant with the Panthers, accepted the framed No. 51 jersey on behalf of his family. "My father was proud to be a Panther and I am happy to know that all of you guys supported him all the years he was here," his son said. "This is a wonderful way to close a very important chapter in his life." A video of Mills' highlights was shown to the crowd, as well as a clip from a speech linebacker Mark Fields made at the ESPY awards earlier this year. Fields is also battling cancer and will sit out this season while undergoing treatment. "One thing Sam Mills used to say before he passed away was you've got to `Keep pounding, keep pounding, keep pounding,' " Fields said. "Keep pounding" was the expression Mills and Fields used to rally Carolina during the 2003 season while they both sat out with cancer. The Panthers went to the Super Bowl that season and credited Mills and Fields for inspiring them. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2133726 8)