Sam Mills

Bio

While he might have only been 5-9 in height, Sam Mills had the heart and desire that made him play large. A two-time first-team All-America (1979-80), Mills finished his career at Montclair State with a school-record 501 tackles. Mills, a three-time New Jersey Athletic Conference All-Star, was named the New Jersey Collegiate Writers Defensive Player of the Year three straight seasons from 1978 to 1980. A four-year letterman, Mills finished his career with three school records including career tackles (501), tackles in a season (142) and tackles in a game (22). While at MSU, his teams posted a 30-9-1 record and captured two New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships. After spending three years playing in the USFL, Mills moved to the NFL, playing with New Orleans and Carolina. He was named to the Pro Bowl five times. Diagnosed with cancer in 2003, Mills founded the "Keep Pounding" Foundation at the Carolina Medical Center to advance cancer research in North Carolina. He passed away in 2005 at age 45.

Career Highlights

• 1980 All-Conference
• 1980 First Team All-America (Div. III)
• 1979 All-Conference
• 1978 All-Conference