//Sam Mills named finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame again

Sam Mills named finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame again

Panthers legend Sam Mills is a finalist again for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, returning to the discussion for a second straight year.

That’s positive momentum for Mills, who was eligible for 17 years before he made the final 15, and recognizes the work he did leading great defenses in three cities, and laying the foundation for the Panthers from their inaugural year.

Mills made his mark in the USFL, and became the heart of the Saints “Dome Patrol” defense before coming to the Panthers as one of their first free agent targets in 1995. After his retirement, he joined the team as an assistant coach, and his “Keep Pounding” mantra from his battle with cancer remains a central piece of the team’s history, and a message players see every day.

Voting for the Hall of Fame will take place on Jan.