Sam Mills facts for kids

Samuel Davis Mills Jr. (born June 3, 1959 – died April 18, 2005) was an amazing American football player. He played as a linebacker for twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers.

Before joining the NFL, Sam played three seasons for the Philadelphia / Baltimore Stars in the United States Football League (USFL). He helped his team win two championships in 1984 and 1985. Sam Mills was so good that he was added to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.

Early Life and High School Football

Sam Mills was born in Neptune City, New Jersey. He grew up in Long Branch, New Jersey. As a kid, he loved playing football with his older brother and bigger friends.

Sam went to Long Branch High School. He was a fantastic football player and also a great wrestler. In 1976 and 1977, he won championships in wrestling. His high school still honors him today. They hang his high school jersey and his NFL jersey in the school gym. Even though he was a great athlete, many college scouts did not notice him. This was because he was 5 feet 9 inches tall, which was considered short for a football player.

Sam Mills' College Football Career

Playing for Montclair State University

Sam Mills went to Montclair State College, which is now Montclair State University. He joined the football team as a walk-on, meaning he wasn't given a scholarship at first. He played for Montclair State from 1977 to 1980.

He holds many records at the university. He has the most tackles in his career with 501. He also has the most tackles in one season (142) and in one game (22). Sam was named a top player three times. He was also chosen as the New Jersey Collegiate Writers Defensive Player of the Year for three years in a row.

Sam Mills' Professional Football Journey

Starting with the Cleveland Browns and Toronto Argonauts

In 1981, Sam Mills signed with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent. This means he was not chosen in the NFL draft. However, he was released from the team before the regular season started. He wore number 41 for a short time with the Browns.

In 1982, Sam tried out for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League. But he was released again before the season began.

Becoming a Star with the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars

Many professional football scouts liked Sam Mills' playing videos. But they often lost interest when they found out he was only 5 feet 9 inches tall. At that time, people thought middle linebackers needed to be at least six feet tall. This was so they could see over the big offensive linemen.

After college, Sam's old Pop Warner coach helped him get a tryout with the Cleveland Browns. The Browns coach, Sam Rutigliano, liked Mills but still thought he was too short for the NFL. So, Mills was cut from the team. He then tried out for the Toronto Argonauts but did not make that team either. For a while, he taught photography and helped coach high school football.

However, Coach Rutigliano still remembered Sam's talent. He called his friend, Carl Peterson, who was the general manager for the Philadelphia Stars in the United States Football League. Peterson gave Sam a chance. Sam quickly impressed everyone at the Stars' training camp. He became known as the "Field Mouse" because he was so fast. Peterson said, "he was a mouse running around a field of elephants, but the elephants wanted nothing to do with him."

Sam played three years with the Stars. The team moved to Baltimore in 1985. He became a key player in their strong "Doghouse Defense." He was known for his toughness on the field and his leadership. Sam led the Stars to win two USFL championships. He was also named to the All-USFL team three times. He is considered one of the best defensive players in the USFL's history.

Joining the New Orleans Saints

After the Stars won the 1985 USFL title, their coach, Jim E. Mora, became the coach for the New Orleans Saints. Sam Mills followed his coach to the Saints in 1986.

With the Saints, Sam was a very important part of their defense. He was a member of the famous "Dome Patrol." This was a group of amazing linebackers who made the Saints' defense very strong in the early 1990s. Sam was chosen for the Pro Bowl four times while with the Saints. Coach Mora, who coached for 15 seasons in the NFL, called Sam Mills "The best player I ever coached."

Playing for the Carolina Panthers

After the 1994 NFL season, Sam Mills became a free agent. This meant he could sign with any team. The new expansion team, the Carolina Panthers, offered him a good contract. An expansion team is a brand new team joining the league.

Even though the Saints matched the offer, Sam decided to sign with the Panthers. He was not happy that the Saints waited until another team made an offer. Sam became an important leader for the young Panthers team. He was the only player to start every game in the Panthers' first three seasons.

In 1995, during a game against the New York Jets, Sam made a big play. He caught a pass and ran 36 yards for a touchdown. This play helped the Panthers get their very first win in team history! In 1996, at 37 years old, Sam was chosen for his fifth Pro Bowl. At that time, he was the oldest defensive player to be invited to a Pro Bowl. He retired from playing after the next season.

After Playing: Coaching and Honors

Sam Mills played 12 seasons in the NFL. He made 1,319 tackles, 20.5 sacks, and 11 interceptions. He also scored four touchdowns. He started 173 out of 181 games he played. Sam was named to the NFL All-Pro team three times.

After he stopped playing, Sam was honored in many ways. He was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (2001), the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame (2002), and the Sports Hall of Fame of New Jersey (2003). He also joined the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame (1998) and the Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor (1998).

In 1998, Sam became a defensive coaching assistant for the Panthers. In 1999, he was promoted to linebackers coach.

Sam Mills' Inspiring Legacy

In 2003, Sam Mills faced a serious health challenge. Despite this, he continued to coach the team. He was a huge inspiration to the Panthers. His spirit helped them make it to Super Bowl XXXVIII.

Before a big game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sam gave an emotional speech. He told the team to "keep pounding." This powerful message became a famous team slogan. It also became the name of a fund to support research programs. Sam continued to coach until he passed away on April 18, 2005.

Sam's jersey number 51 was retired by the Panthers in 2005. It was the first number the team ever retired. In 2009, Sam was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. His son, Sam Mills III, accepted the award for him. Sam Mills III also became a football coach.

The "Keep Pounding" speech still inspires people today. The Carolina Panthers and Nike put "Keep Pounding" sewn on the inside collars of Panthers jerseys. Before every home game, an honorary drummer bangs a "Keep Pounding" drum. Even at Super Bowl 50, the tradition continued. Stephen Curry, a famous basketball player and Panthers fan, was the drummer. Sam Mills was finally elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.