The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Tuesday that former New Orleans Saints linebacker Sam Mills was recognized as a semifinalist for the Class of 2019.
Mills played in the NFL for 12 years, spending 9 of them in New Orleans as part of the formidable “Dome Patrol” defense with linebackers Pat Swilling, Vaughan Johnson, and Rickey Jackson, who was named to the Hall of Fame Class of 2010. Mills logged 934 tackles for the black and gold along with 17 fumble recoveries, 16 forced fumbles, 10.5 sacks, and 4 interceptions, scoring 2 defensive touchdowns. He left the team in 1995 as a founding member of the expansion-team Carolina Panthers, who raised a statue in his honor outside their home stadium following his 2005 passing.
Mills is probably a long shot to make the final cut, but it would be outstanding to see a second member of the Dome Patrol – and another Saints legend – honored in the Hall of Fame. The only other greats enshrined there mostly for their Saints careers are Jackson, offensive lineman Willie Roaf, and kicker Morten Anderson.
His competition is tough. With just five spots up for grabs, other big modern-era names like Ed Reed, Champ Bailey, Tony Gonzalez, and many other deserving candidates. But there’s always a chance.