Paul Domowitch on Sam Mills, “Keep Pounding,” and the Making of a Montclair Legend

Sam Mills was one of the greatest student-athletes and football players to attend Montclair State University. Paul Domowitch, a former columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News, wrote a biography about the Montclair legend called “Just Give Me a Chance to Fail.”

WMSC sports director Sebastian Stratton, along with sports team members Jeremy Rodriguez, Joshua Gallatin and Meghan Lipscomb, interviewed Paul Domowitch on Aug. 3 at 3 p.m.

Domowitch came into the interview ready to talk. When asked what inspired him to write a biography about Mills and why he felt it was the right time to tell his story, Domowitch explained that he was about to retire around the same time Mills was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. At the time, Mills was known mainly for attending a Division III school before being drafted by the USFL and then the NFL. Domowitch wanted to dig into Mills’ personal story and the behind-the-scenes moments that shaped his life.

While discussing Mills’ life, Domowitch kept returning to the “Keep Pounding” motto. Mills’ story took a turn when he was diagnosed with intestinal cancer. He lived every day to the fullest until he died on April 18, 2005. “Cancer gave Mills a bigger appreciation for life,” Domowitch said. “He did not feel sorry for himself when he got the diagnosis back in 2003.” Mills delivered the “Keep Pounding” speech to the Carolina Panthers before a 2004 playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys.

College students can take the “Keep Pounding” speech and apply it to their own lives. “Mills lived by that motto because he did not want anyone to quit,” Domowitch said. “He didn’t want to let anything get in the way of achieving a goal, no matter how difficult the situation.” Mills approached life with relentless positivity despite the doubts placed on him. He had a way of turning any situation around, and cancer only reinforced that there is always a bright side. His attitude made the people around him feel better too.

Whether for a student or an everyday person, Sam Mills’ impact still defines what it means to stay positive. He remains a daily reminder to never give up, to always keep pounding.