Keep Pounding — the undersized linebacker who built a championship career on will and intelligence.
Samuel Davis Mills was born in Neptune City, New Jersey in 1959. He was too small (5ft 9in) for the NFL Draft and went undrafted before playing in the USFL. He went on to earn five Pro Bowl selections with New Orleans and Carolina. He was named to the Carolina Panthers coaching staff and became a symbol of the franchise after being diagnosed with intestinal cancer in 2003 — continuing to coach and inspire the team. His speech 'Keep Pounding' to the Panthers before his 2003 NFC Championship win became the team's motto. He died in 2005. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.
Best Known For
NFL Champion (Carolina 2003 runner-up)
Honours & Achievements
Career Honours
- NFL Champion (Carolina 2003 runner-up)
- Pro Bowl 5x
- Hall of Fame 2022
Career Journey
Timeline
1959
👶 Born in Neptune City, New Jersey
1997
🏁 Retired from professional sport
🏟️ New Orleans Saints
🏟️ Carolina Panthers
🏆 NFL Champion (Carolina 2003 runner-up)
🏆 Pro Bowl 5x
🏆 Hall of Fame 2022