RIP Sam Mills

[Vinny]

I just heard on ESPN Radio that Sam Mills died. Capers and Mills made a heck of a tandem. I had one of my contacts email me when we signed Greenwood and told me that Capers would use Greenwood in the same manner he used Mills.

Rest in Peace Sam Mills.



http://www.gastongazette.com/Portal/...hallOfFame.htm

[Youngstown Colt]

Breaks your heart.

What a guy he was.

[jgl35]

I remember him long before the NFL days. He was with the Philadelphia Stars in the USFL, who were coached by Jim Mora. Too small to play was the word on him. Little did they know that his heart was nine feet tall. RIP Sam. You will be missed.

[keyfro]

this has been a sad year for the nfl first losing reggie white and now sam mills...this guy was the definition of what a football player is...he was heart...he was inspiration to us all...he was a truely good person and he will be missed throughout the football community...my prayers are with the mills family...god speed mills

[Porky]

It's a sad, sad day. I loved watching that guy play. The only one who comes to mind that hits me harder was when Walter Payton died. I loved watching that guy run the ball. Derrick Thomas also comes to mind. Mills will be missed by those who loved him, and those who just enjoyed the heck out of seeing a guy with that much passion for a game we love. RIP Sam Mills.

[TheOgre]

He was so young. This is a tragedy indeed.

I remember when they lumped him and Mark Fields together a couple of years ago when they both got it (during the Panthers SB run). Fields beat it right?

[Youngstown Colt]

Originally Posted by TheOgre

Fields beat it right?

So far, it's in remission I believe. But not completely gone

[texasguy346]

Originally Posted by Youngstown Colt

So far, it's in remission I believe. But not completely gone

He's waiting to get the okay from doctors in May before he decides whether or not to play this fall.

[DRIFTAWAY]

Originally Posted by texasguy346

He's waiting to get the okay from doctors in May before he decides whether or not to play this fall.

Play or Coach, he had already retired, and was 45. I think you meant before he decided to coach again.

Anyway's it is a very sad thing hearing this, and it is sad anytime i hear about death. You will be missed, Sam Mills.

[D-ReK]

Originally Posted by DRIFTAWAY

Play or Coach, he had already retired, and was 45. I think you meant before he decided to coach again.

Anyway's it is a very sad thing hearing this, and it is sad anytime i hear about death. You will be missed, Sam Mills.

He was speaking on Fields not Mills...

Mills was a perfect example of it not being about the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog...He was an inspiration to all of the athletes who were undersized and didn't have all of the measurables through the years...He will be missed...

[Nawzer]

RIP Sam Mills. I've never seen him play but from what I've read and heard he was a terrific player. My heart goes out to his family.

Mills, Pat Swilling Vaughn Johnson, Rickey Jackson....that was a GREAT 3-4 defense. Classy players always get the most repect, this guy deserves it. RIP

[Huge]

I remember the Saints putting at least 3 of their 4 LBs in the Pro Bowl in the same season. Every team could use a few Sam Mills on their roster. This league and this world would be a much better place.

[WWJD]

This is sure bad news. I don't believe I've ever heard of somebody with that type of cancer. You have to admire him for working while he was ill.

[texasguy346]

As DRek mentioned I was speaking about Fields when I referred to him waiting till May to decide whether or not to play, but I guess I should've made myself more clear.

Capers was on ESPN's Cold Pizza this morning talking about Sam Mills, and the two have had a relationship dating back to their USFL days. We rarely see Capers get very emotional, but he was choking back tears as he fondly remembered the kind of player and person that was Sam Mills. He talked about his gritty determination despite being cut from an NFL and CFL team. He regarded him as a leader on the Panthers, and credited him for spurring winning streak where they won 20 of 28 games. He was an inspiration for not only the Panthers, but for many people facing cancer. He will be missed.

[nunusguy]

Capers had high praise for Mills as one of 4 who gave eulogies at services
in NC for the late LB.
********************
"Houston coach Dom Capers, who was a coach of Mills' in the USFL, with the Saints and with the Panthers, flew in from Texas to give one of the four eulogies. He said after the service that when Bunkley called him earlier this week and asked him to speak, Capers didn't think he could make it.
Between getting a flight and canceling an entire day of work this close to (Saturday's) NFL draft, I just didn't think I'd be here," Capers said. "But when Mike said Sam asked for me, then I knew I had to make it. Sam was a special, special man. A one-of-a-kind."
********************
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2042957

[JPPT1974]

Seemed to be a great person off the field as well as there are few like him. RIP!!