On Saturday afternoon, Carolina Panthers icon Sam Mills will finally take his spot in the hallowed halls of Canton, Ohio. So, what will that spot look like?
Darin Gantt of Panthers.com gave everybody an early look this morning. About 24 hours before the legendary linebacker is officially welcomed in to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the longtime Charlotte scribe—who has also been a driving and influential voice behind the much-deserved and long-awaited induction—was there with some beautiful shots.
Sam Mills’ locker in the @ProFootballHOF, with the original Keep Pounding wristband. pic.twitter.com/Pr400H8XBk
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) August 5, 2022
And here’s the spot where his bust will live.
When the busts talk to each other at night, Sam Mills and Peyton Manning can argue about Jim Mora’s claim that Sam was the greatest player he ever coached. pic.twitter.com/eHEyMgL55Y
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) August 5, 2022
Marcus Mills, getting a look at where his father’ bust will be placed at the @ProFootballHOF pic.twitter.com/rQXQ2TOf0D
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) August 5, 2022
Although division rivals on the field, the Panthers and Saints will have no issues sharing a space inside Mills’ locker and, now, immortalized legacy. Of his 12-year NFL career, the five-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro spent nine of those campaigns in New Orleans and the final three in Carolina.
Mills will move into his new home alongside Tony Boselli, LeRoy Butler, Richard Seymour, Bryant Young, Cliff Branch, Art McNally and Dick Vermeil. The ceremony, hosted by actor Keegan Michael-Key, will begin at noon—with Mills set as the second inductee of the event.