Sam Mills, who coined ‘Keep Pounding’ for the Carolina Panthers, elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Late Carolina Panthers great Sam Mills has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The legendary Panthers linebacker who coined the slogan “Keep Pounding” was part of an eight-man group elected in the Class of 2022. He will be inducted in Canton, Ohio later this summer.

In his third straight year as a finalist, and his 20th year of eligibility - this was his final chance to be inducted.

Related: The late Sam Mills, who coined ‘Keep Pounding’ for the Carolina Panthers, gets final chance at hall of fame

The 2022 Hall of Fame inductees were announced on the NFL Honors primetime show Thursday night.

He’s joined in the 2022 class by Jaguars offensive tackle Tony Boselli, Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour, Packers safety LeRoy Butler, and 49ers defensive tackle Bryant Young. Also elected were former Eagles, Rams, and Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil, officiating pioneer Art McNally, and former Raiders receiver Cliff Branch from the senior committee.

In January, it was announced that Mills was named to the 2022 class of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, and set to be enshrined during the 58th annual induction banquet on April 22, at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Related: Sam Mills, who coined ‘Keep Pounding’, to be inducted in North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame

Mills, who died at age 45 in 2005 after a lengthy fight against cancer, came to Carolina as a free agent in 1995. After his retirement following the 1997 season, Mills joined the Panthers as an assistant coach.

He was diagnosed with intestinal cancer in Aug. 2003. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation, but continued coaching.

He was an inspirational force to the Panthers’ run to Super Bowl XXXVIII, delivering an emotional speech to the team before a playoff victory.

“When I found out I had cancer, there were two things could do: quit or keep pounding,” Mills told the team before that game. “I’m a fighter. I kept pounding. You’re fighters, too. Keep pounding!”

During his NFL career, he was a three-time All Pro and a five-time Pro Bowler. He was remembered as one of the most respected players in the NFL during his 12-year career,

Mills finished his career with 1,319 tackles, 20.5 sacks, 11 interceptions and four touchdowns.

He’s also been inducted into the Saints Ring of Honor, the Panthers Hall of Honor, and his 51 is the only number retired in Panthers history.

A statue of Mills sits outside Bank of America Stadium.

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