Sam Mills a Semi-Finalist

[5158Poundin]

My favorite Panther of all time deserves the honor of being inducted…sadly, I do not think it will happen.  His accomplishments as a Saint should get him there as part of the Dome Patrol.  He is the epitome of a Panther and I hope that one day it may.  He means the world to the Panthers organization and I am proud he wore blue and black as both a player and coach.  RIP Sam!

[TN05]

I am pretty sure he is a longshot but just maybe he gets in.

 

If he does, does he go in as a Panther or a Saint?  Most would believe he would go in as a Panther.  Our first.

 

What a fitting tribute to a great player and an outstanding individual.

 

www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap3000000412445/hall-of-fame-class-of-2015-picking-the-semifinalists

I think the fact they used a picture of him as a Panther in that gallery sums up what he is perceived as nowadays.

[Udogg]

In my opinion Sam Mills had a huge impact as a Panther.  But as far as HOF he is really a Saint.  A majority of his best years were as a Saint. 

 

 

 

Panther HOF....

 

Julius Peppers is borderline.  Few more good years in GB may get him in.

 

Steve Smith playing for Baltimore has really helped his chances.   North east bias and all.   I think it will be a very good chance he gets in, especially if he finishes this year and next year strong.

 

Cam Newton and Kuechly would have to fall off in the upcoming years not to make it.

[Sean Payton's Vicodin]

I think the fact they used a picture of him as a Panther in that gallery sums up what he is perceived as nowadays.

 

They used a picture of Warner in a Cardinals uniform. Dude is a fuging Ram.

[Mr. Scot]

Would love to see Mills get in.

[Sam Mills Fan]

Without Sam Mills, I firmly believe the Panthers would be in the same boat as the Jaguars today: no fan base, constant whispers of moving. To those of you too young to remember, Sam Mills was THE cornerstone around Dom Capers' 3-4 defense we had so much success with in 1995 and 1996. Without Sam Mills taking a chance on an expansion team, we don't go 7-9 Year 1 and we're not able to lure guys like Kevin Greene and Eric Davis to the team. Without them, there is no 12-4, 9-0 at home record in 1996. There is no playoff win over the Cowboys because there is no playoffs period. You think it's bad with fans of other teams now, imagine how bad it would have been without that initial surge. THAT is why Sam Mills has that statue out front of the stadium. His character and his leadership were A+ and so was his play on the field even as old as he was when he played here.

 

Quick Sam Mills story: I was about 9 years old when the Panthers had started playing. I was at the grocery store with my mother who was a single mom at the time and she was poor as poo. She wasn't even buying all that much stuff when she realized she didn't have enough money to cover it all. Suddenly, Sam Mills appeared out of nowhere and offered to not just pay the difference, but paid for all of the groceries. I recognized him even at 9 I was that into the Panthers and he gave me a high-five. You want to talk about getting a Panther fan for life? That's how you do it. And he did that for so many other people too. 

 

To those of you that just see how many years he played and assume he's a Saint, I understand why you would do that. But for those first few years of the Panthers' history, he was THE Panther. This is not Reggie White we're talking about here who signed here randomly after a year off and did nothing. I don't know if he'll get in this year, but I hope he does get in the HoF and soon.

[5158Poundin]

Quick Sam Mills story: I was about 9 years old when the Panthers had started playing. I was at the grocery store with my mother who was a single mom at the time and she was poor as poo. She wasn't even buying all that much stuff when she realized she didn't have enough money to cover it all. Suddenly, Sam Mills appeared out of nowhere and offered to not just pay the difference, but paid for all of the groceries. I recognized him even at 9 I was that into the Panthers and he gave me a high-five. You want to talk about getting a Panther fan for life? That's how you do it. And he did that for so many other people too. 

 

 

 

Wow…that just reinforces why I believe and knew this man was a class act and really deserves a Hall of Fame nod!

[KillaCamNewton]

It will be an absolute travesty if guys like Reggie Wayne or Hines Ward get in but Steve doesnt

[KillaCamNewton]

Back to Sam Mills though, he needs to get in. The Hall of Fame is supposed to be about the contributions you made the football/your franchise and Sam Mills contributed as much to the Panthers as anyone contributed to their teams.

[Ruff]

relevant section:

An enshrinee, however, is not asked to “declare,” nor does the Hall of Fame “choose” a team under which a new member is enshrined. When elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, an individual is recognized for his accomplishments as a player, coach, or contributor. - See more at: http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/SelectionProcessFAQ.aspx#sthash.4FOkddnT.dpuf