CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sam Mills' words, "Keep Pounding," have become the heartbeat of the Carolina Panthers franchise.
Before each home game, an inspiring member of the community pounds the drum four times to fire up the crowd. It also encourages the team not to give up, regardless of the circumstances. Much like Mills, a former player and coach, didn't give up his fight against intestinal cancer, which he sadly lost.
On Wednesday, the team donated a Keep Pounding Drum to Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital. Kids will pound the drum after completing treatment.
The donation was made in honor of 8-year-old Roswell Hynson, who lost her battle with rhabdomyosarcoma earlier this year.
"Everything that 'Keep Pounding' stands for, Roswell was that," Roswell's father Corey Hynson said. "She fought as hard as she could until the very end. I miss her every day. She was Keep Pounding."
The Panthers have also partnered with Atrium Health to invest in cancer research efforts and patient support programs through the Keep Pounding campaign.
"Even though she lost her life to cancer, she did it with a lot of grit," Dr. Thomas B. RusselI said. "I feel honored to know her. We have a lot of amazing patients. She was really an inspiration."
The Panthers hosted a Levine Children's Hospital patient experience on Aug. 5 at training camp and will do so again on Aug. 12 in which patients sit in the VIP section, spend time with players and coaches and attend a special autograph session.
Contact Nick Carboni at ncarboni@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.