Mike Minter = statue?

Both sides have valid points that make this a difficult decision. I think stats, Pro Bowls and Hall of Fame consideration should not necessarily be of the same criteria. Some players though not as talented or have individual stats do tend to make others around them play better. They bring a synergy and leadership qualities that help a the unit play as one. People who quantify players strictly with stats will not be able to justify it, but the value is still there.

 

At least try not to repeat opinions that have already been invalidated. It's one thing to propose something stupid and something else entirely to repeat someone else's.

 

I must have missed what I repeated but please explain why you think a player who plays for a team for 3 years deserves a statue and why you think your opinion invalidates others.

 

If Minter gets one, Rucker will too. Rucker accomplished more, and was part of units that mattered more.

Minter wasn't mediocre until the end. 04 and on. In 02 and 03, when safeties were the key of the backfield, he was out there, and he was making plays.
He gave us a lot. Doesn't mean he gets a statue, no. I wouldn't be against it, but I'd want more.

 

Because anyone should be able to figure out that Mills' impact and his stature wasn't just about three seasons on the playing field. Obviously there was plenty to like there, as he was the head and heart of a defense that made the NFCCG in the franchise's second year and ranked as one of the best statistically of all-time. But the bigger thing is just what kind of man he was. Even before the cancer, Mills was a larger than life individual who could inspire people just by speaking to them. It's really hard to explain the feeling that Mills could inspire even in a stranger, you just had to experience it yourself. I have tons of admiration for Minter and Rucker, but while I appreciate what each has done for this community, neither even approach the kind of presence that Mills had. I hesitate to use make such allusions, but it really was like a religious experience. The man was amazing, touched everyone he came across, and perfectly represented what you would want a football player to be.

If you had ever met him, I think you would understand.

Your opinion isn't invalidated because I say so, but rather because it's ignorant. It would be invalid whether I chose to comment or not. For someone who didn't know the context, questioning Mills' statue would be understandable, which is I wouldn't necessarily hold it against you if that very issue hadn't already been addressed several times in this thread.

 

Well it's great that you got to meet Mills and I am so happy for you but to say that he was such a great inspirational man that in a THREE year period he deserved a statue is just ignorant. I'm not talking about his entire life or his entire football career, or coaching career, or how inspirational he was after his career. I am talking about the THREE years he played with the Panthers. Had we went to the playoffs and won a superbowl and he had been named MVP (maybe) but it's still THREE years and ONE playoff appearance. Mills has had no more impact in the community than Rucker or Minter (while he was playing as a Panther) and that's what the debate is about or so I thought.

Matter of opinion again, I think your opinion to honor someone who played here THREE years with a statue is completely ignorant, although had you not went there I would not either, not a big fan of insulting people.

 

As I said, I completely understand that sentiment from someone who is not a fan of the Panthers and knows absolutely nothing about Mills as a human being. Someone ignorant of that naturally wouldn't understand how he could have such an enormous impact on the franchise in that short a time. But again, you hold that viewpoint because you are ignorant. Mills' value cannot be quantified by the numbers of plays he spent in a Panthers uniform.

That's also understandable. Research into cognitive dissonance tells us that people who are embarrassed about their own ignorance will often attempt to rationalize their lack of understanding and pretend that the other person is at fault. Ultimately your problem is that I'm not the only one who thinks that Mills was a special human being, and that your position that he should only be judged by his performance on the field is so obviously ridiculous.

 

Sam Mills was a great player in his short time here. An All Pro. Only Jenks, Smitty and Peppers have reached the upper echelon of being an elite player at their position as a Panther.

Sam Mills is arguably the top inside linebackers of his era, at least after Singletary retired. And he was that for at least his first two years here.

Larry Zimmerman, a member of the HOF selection committiee and writer for SI, thinks he should recieve serious consideration.

He was a great leader in the lockerroom and a measuring stick for conduct off the field. But he was also a great individual player on the field. NFLN put his Saint LB core as the best of all time.

 

Disagreeing with your ignorant opinion that a player that played for the Panthers for THREE seasons no matter how much of an influence he was doesn’t deserve a statue outside BOA stadium doesn’t make me any less of a Panther fan. Sitting around bitching about every play they make does however show lack of support. Sound familiar? I’m sure you’re one of those people who leave at the end of the half or early 3rd qtr if we are losing anyway. Based on your beliefs if a player came to the Panthers for one season and was a great leader and took us to a Superbowl win and had an enormous impact on the team he should get a statue too, or is the cutoff 3? Oh yeah, I forgot you must meet him first and fall in love.

You talking about me here or doing a self-assessment?

Ultimately your problem is most people probably don’t think he deserved a statue. I have never said anything bad about Mills as a person or a player. I think he was a great player when he was here and great role model. But the statue was based on his contributions during his playing years, not his time as a coach, community leader, and how inspirational he was battling his illness. You’re basing your opinion on all of the above.

 

So in your honest opinion should he have a statue outside BOA? Did he do enough during his 3 years here as a player on and off the field to warrant a statue?