CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WGHP) — The phrase “Keep Pounding” is well-known among Carolina Panthers fans and NFL enthusiasts alike. But do you know where this iconic team motto originated?

The motto traces back to Sam Mills, revered as one of the most outstanding Carolina Panthers and a top linebacker of his time.

As one of the original Panthers players in their 1995 debut season, Mills made a mark by returning an interception for a touchdown in the team’s first victory. He shone brightly during the final three years of his illustrious career, which eventually earned him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Following his retirement from playing, Mills transitioned to coaching, joining the Panthers’ staff as a defensive assistant and linebackers coach in 1998.

However, Mills faced a significant challenge in August 2003 when he was diagnosed with intestinal cancer, with doctors giving him just three months to live, as reported by Panthers.com. This devastating news came just before the Panthers’ last preseason game.

Despite the grim prognosis from his doctors, Mills continued in his role as linebackers coach and was a part of Carolina completing arguably the greatest 2-year turnaround in NFL history.

After having at the time one of the worst seasons in NFL history in 2001, going 1-15, the team improved to 7-9 in 2002 under the leadership of new head coach John Fox. In 2003, the “Cardiac Cats,” as they would come to be known, shocked the football world by going 11-5 and making a run all the way to the franchise’s first Super Bowl.

The team earned its “Cardiac Cats” nickname thanks to the number of close games the team played in. The team played in five overtime games on the road over the course of their run to the Super Bowl and won seven games that were decided by less than 3 points.

Mills remained with the team every step of the way despite his diagnosis and found himself coaching in the Super Bowl more than 3 months after doctors told him that he was going to die.

Before the Panthers began their playoff run in the Wild Card round against the Dallas Cowboys, Mills delivered the iconic words that inform the identity of the franchise to this day. “When I found out I had cancer, there were two things could do: quit or keep pounding,” Mills said. “I’m a fighter. I kept pounding. You’re fighters, too. Keep pounding!”

The Panthers went on to defeat Dallas 29-10 in the Wild Card round. They then upset the juggernaut St. Louis Rams 29-23 in double overtime in the Divisional Round with a 69-yard walkoff touchdown pass to Steve Smith and beat the Philadelphia Eagles 14-3 in the NFC Championship Game to make it to the Super Bowl.

Another linebacker on the team, Mark Fields, was also diagnosed with cancer a short time after Mills, per Panthers.com. The pair teamed up to raise money for cancer research and sold bracelets with the “Keep Pounding” motto on them.

The Panthers ultimately came up just short in the Super Bowl, losing 29-32 to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the early stages of their dynasty. However, the team and Mills certainly cemented their place in NFL history.

Just as he said in his speech, Mills kept fighting. He continued to serve in his role as a coach with the team through the 2004 season before dying in April 2005 at the age of 46.

Despite his death, Mills’ legacy in Carolina lived on through his son, Sam Mills III, who served as a coach with the team from 2005-2019.

Mills’ son was with the team when the “Keep Pounding” drum tradition was introduced in 2012, in honor of his father’s legendary phrase.

“When we first started it (in 2012), people didn’t really know how to take it,” Mills III told Panthers.com. “But now, that drum has come to signify the starting bell of a heavyweight fight. Every Sunday, we’re in a heavyweight fight, and when someone hits that drum, it’s time to go. We’re locked in.”