Why does Sam Mills have a statue?

[Jangler]

hundreds of little Steve Smith gnomes all over the grounds.

[klumme]

He got the statue because he was the prototype and symbol of how JR wants his players to be as persons and players.

It has nothing to do about stats or cancer. It has everything to do with the fact Mills was a rolemodel for what JR wants the Panthers to stand for.

[KillerKat]

Sam Mills didn't break any records or win any Super Bowls. Kurb said that is the only reason you should even have you number retired let alone a statue.

The reason Sam Mills got a statue is the same reason Jake Delhomme deserves to have his number retired. His contributions went beyond the football field.

Don't want to derail the thread with Jake stuff but just making a point that contributions to the franchise can be measured in ways other than the record books.

Jake was half bad, half good. Whatever he did good, he did equally bad. That doesn't warrant a statue.

[mountainpantherfan]

My understanding is that the two statues, Mills and McCormick, are because they are two of the three members in the Panthers Hall of Honor. My interputation is that this designation was specifically made to those who demonstrate great "honor" in their contribution to the franchise. The third member of the Hall of Honor are the PSL Owners and their commitment and willingness to honor their pledge allowed both the franshise and the stadium to come to the Carolinas. McCormick pledged to help get a franshise to the Carolinas back in the early 80's and honored that pledge through to his death. And Mills left the Saints and committed to helping build the team into a contender through his play and leadership.

It's not about on field and/or off field. It's internal and something in today's culture is rare to find. I tend to think there was some conversation that Mills and Richardson had when bringing Mills in via FA that Mills followed throug on that truely showed he was a man of honor. And in today's professional sports especially honor is a rare traight.

[ladypanther]

He got the statue because he was the prototype and symbol of how JR wants his players to be as persons and players.

It has nothing to do about stats or cancer. It has everything to do with the fact Mills was a rolemodel for what JR wants the Panthers to stand for.

That and he was there at the beginning....kind of like the father of the Panthers...among players. The first real leader and a great story himself. He set the standard. Sam Mills was what Richardson wanted his team to be. The young team needed a legacy. None better than Sam. There will be other great players and leaders. Something special about being the first.

That's why.

[Keith Moons Liver]

Same reason people like Jim Valvano. Cancer.

[Dpantherman]

more bumped threads...

[Peppermint9030]

Got cancer and inspired a team to a Super Bowl because he "kept pounding." In short, he embodied the sort of player Richardson wants on the team.

oooo so thats why we traded up for Armanti Edwards

[CatMan72]

Sam was the original heart and soul of the Panthers... he immediately became a leader and set the tone for the early success this team had. He did all this at the end of his career, when he just as easily could have shown up and collected a paycheck. He was a hard-nosed and smart player who gave everything he had on every down, he embodied everything Jerry Richardson wanted the Panthers to be, he set the standard.

The statue is there in tribute to Sam and to remind every player of what is expected of them. JR makes a point of visiting the statue with each new player and he tells them about Sam and about what he expects of them as a Carolina Panther.

[pantherclaw]

Honor, character, heart of a champion, best friend, giving, natural leadership.....

Just for starters....

Then ask JR what Sam Mills meant to him.

[PantherFanOne]

Smith won't get a statue. It isn't about just being a great player but being a great player and a great person who inspires others to greatness as well. Smitty is a great player but not a great person nor does he inspire others. Kasay is a great player and great person. Big difference.

"Smitty is a great player but not a great person nor does he inspire others."

Smitty's teammates must not agree with your statement because they elected him a team captain.

[KillerKat]

"Smitty is a great player but not a great person nor does he inspire others."

Smitty's teammates must not agree with your statement because they elected him a team captain.

You don't punch teammates even after telling your owner you've "grown up" and then think you're going to get a statue. There's also been bad interactions with fans, some from this board with him. Lets not forget his attitude when things aren't going so well for him.

[panthers55]

"Smitty is a great player but not a great person nor does he inspire others."

Smitty's teammates must not agree with your statement because they elected him a team captain.

Being a captain means that players respect you as a fellow player on the field. Do you think every captain on the team over the years deserves a statue? That is the issue we are debating and that is why your comment is largely irrelevant to the conversation.

You don't punch teammates even after telling your owner you've "grown up" and then think you're going to get a statue. There's also been bad interactions with fans, some from this board with him. Lets not forget his attitude when things aren't going so well for him.

Smitty is obvious trying to change his ways and become more of a positive locker room presence and a leader off and on the field. Like taking all his fellow receivers to the pro-bowl. Obviously the fiery attitude that makes him so competitive on the field also makes it hard for him off the field. He always seems inconsistent. You have to take the good with the bad. But as you note, his off-field issues will probably always keep him getting a statue and might impact his ability to be considered for the hall of fame if he put up the numbers for consideration.

[goodoleboy]

The next statue will be of Jerry Richardson after he dies. After that only NFL Hall of fame players who retire as Panthers should get them once inducted. Steve Smith won't get one.