Sam Mills, Reggie Wayne finalists for 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction

Hopefully, the third time is the charm for two former NFL greats with deep New Orleans ties.

Former New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers linebacker Sam Mills is a finalist for the third time for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The list of 15 modern era finalists was announced today by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Thee others are candidates in the Coach, Contributor and Senior categories.

Mills was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 1998, The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, The Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 and he was inducted into the Saints Ring of Honor this year.

A brilliant player, defensive signal caller and captain for the Saints from 1996-94, Mills went on to play in outstanding fashion for the Panthers from 1995-97. A statue of Mills was erected outside of the stadium in Charlotte.

Over 12 seasons, in 181 games including 133 with New Orleans, Mills earned All-Pro honors in 1991 and 1992 with the Saints and in 1996 with Carolina. Mills was selected for five Pro Bowls. He was a member of the famed “Dome Patrol” in New Orleans, voted the best linebacker corps in NFL history by NFL Network, consisting of Mills, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Rickey Jackson, Vaughan Johnson and Pat Swilling.

Mills was part of the first four playoff teams in New Orleans Saints history.

With Carolina, Mills was part of a team which reached the NFC championship

New Orleans native Reggie Wayne is a finalist for the third time as well.

The John Ehret High School alum played for the Indianapolis Colts from 2001-14.

A member of a pair of Super Bowl teams, Wayne won one for the 2006 season and lost the other to the Saints at the end ofthe 2009 season.

Wayne caught 100 passes or more in four different seasons and led the NFL in receiving yards in 2007. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2010 and earned second-team All-Pro honors twice. Wayne was voted to six Pro Bowls.

The Hall of Fame selection committee will meet virtually on Jan. 18 to consider and vote on the candidates.

The Class of 2022 will be enshrined in August.

The Selection Committee may elect up to five Modern-Era Players for the Class of 2022, provided each candidate receives a minimum of 80 percent of the vote for election.