Sam Mills has again been named a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist after reaching that stage last year, giving the legendary New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers linebacker a chance at enshrinement in Canton, Ohio. He’s part of a crowded group of candidates, including New Orleans natives Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne.
Mills has been passed over many times before. His candidacy is in its 19th year, the second-oldest of the group (trailing the great Clay Matthews Jr., with 20 years). But he’s now been named a finalist for two consecutive cycles, suggesting there’s a real effort among the voters to get him into the Hall of Fame.