Sam Mills may have passed away in 2005, but his example and legacy continue to stand taller than any building here in Charlotte. As a linebacker for the Carolina Panthers, Mills excited everyone watching from the stands. But, it was his courage and poise in the face of a cancer diagnosis that left a truly indelible mark on this city. Walking around Uptown on Sept. 1, 2019 — the morning of the inaugural Around the Crown 10K — we were drawn to his statue (sculpted by Todd Andrews), standing proudly against the skyline by Bank of America Stadium. His charge to his fellow Panthers, “Keep Pounding,” has become a rallying cry for the Queen City and a reminder to never give up on the challenges that define us as people and as a city.

This Queen City exploration is powered by OrthoCarolina.