4 most beloved players in Carolina Panthers franchise history

On this Valentine’s Day, let’s take a look back at the Carolina Panthers players we’ve all loved throughout franchise history.

Happy Valentine’s Day! For the 2023 rendition of the day of love, here are the players that fans are most fond of for their time and contributions to the Carolina Panthers franchise.

Sam Mills – Former Carolina Panthers LB

No player in the short history of the Panthers means more to the franchise than Sam Mills. The team’s first star and Carolina’s first official inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he defined everything it means to be a Panther and even gave us our team slogan, “Keep Pounding”.

Mills was a fantastic player but an even better person that embodied Keep Pounding and what it means to be a Panther. After his retirement, he joined the coaching staff and held a position until he passed away after a battle with cancer.

Mills served as the inspiration during the Panthers’ first Suber Bowl run and remains an inspirational figure to the entire Carolina community long after his sad passing.

The ferocious linebacker overcame size concerns to finish his Panthers career with 331 total tackles, 10 sacks, seven interceptions, and two touchdowns. He was named first-team All-Pro and was the oldest player to make the Pro Bowl in 1996.

His jersey No. 51 has been retired, which is the only retired number to date. Mills will forever be immortalized outside of Bank of America Stadium with a statue and a Hall of Fame bust in Canton, Ohio.