Zach Miller
refer to caption
Miller with the Bears in 2017
No. 86
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1984-10-04) October 4, 1984
Weston, Nebraska, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school:Bishop Neumann
(Wahoo, Nebraska)
College:Nebraska–Omaha
NFL Draft:2009 / Round: 6 / Pick: 180
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:146
Receiving yards:1,631
Receiving touchdowns:15
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Zachary Scott Miller (born October 4, 1984) is a former American football tight end. He played quarterback and tight end in college at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. During his NFL career, Miller struggled with various injuries that prevented him from significant playing time. From 2009 to 2011 with the Jaguars, he started only five games with 33 appearances, followed by a brief stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that also resulted in injury. He joined the Chicago Bears in 2014, where he was on injured reserve during his first season. In 2015, Miller enjoyed a breakout season as he appeared in 16 games and recorded five touchdowns, but had further season-ending injuries in subsequent years.

In a 2017 game against the New Orleans Saints, he dislocated his knee while attempting to catch a potential touchdown pass. The injury was severe and threatened potential leg amputation, but successful surgeries saved the limb. He retired from football in April 2019 after missing the entire 2018 season.

Early life

As a three-sport athlete at Bishop Neumann High School in Wahoo, Nebraska, Miller earned all-state honors as a senior and earned honorable mention all-state honors in basketball.[1] He also won two state basketball championships with Bishop Neumann.[2]

In football, Miller only played on the varsity team during his senior year, having broken his collarbone twice in his junior year.[3] In 2002, Bishop Neumann won the Class C-1 state championship when they defeated Gothenburg High School 28–13 in the title game; after having –8 rushing yards in the first half, Miller recorded 149 rushing yards and two touchdowns to lead the Cavaliers to their first title since 1977.[4] He ended the year with school records in passing (1,200) and rushing yards (980).[1]

College career

Miller initially attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he was a walk-on for the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team.[5] After redshirting his freshman year, he decided to transfer to the University of Nebraska–Omaha in December 2004.[6]

At Nebraska–Omaha, he joined the Division II Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks football team. During the 2005 season, he started as backup, and alternated at quarterback from mid-season on. He threw for 322 yards and one touchdown, and rushed for 141 yards on 29 carries, scoring three touchdowns.[1]

In 2006, he was a regional finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy. He was named NCC offensive player of the week three times. He rushed for 1098 yards and scored 19 touchdowns, being named the NCC Offensive MVP.[7][8]

He finished his college career with 4,096 passing yards and 26 passing touchdowns, along with 3,122 career rushing yards and a school-record 50 touchdowns.[1][9] He played tight end in the 2009 Division II All-Star Game, the Valero Cactus Bowl.[1]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeight40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jump
6 ft 4 in
(1.93 m)		 240 lb
(109 kg)		 4.53 s1.55 s2.62 s4.22 s7.06 s37+1⁄210 ft 4 in
(3.15 m)
All values from Nebraska-Omaha Pro Day

Jaguars and Buccaneers

Miller was selected in the sixth round (180th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.[10] Afterwards, he was converted from quarterback to tight end.[11] He was the first member of his team's draft class to sign a contract with the team, doing so on June 30.[9]

In his first two seasons, he played in 29 games, but suffered a dislocated shoulder in 2011 that ruled him out for the year.[2] The following year, he partially tore his Achilles tendon and calf muscle, and was placed on injured reserve on September 1.[12] He was waived from injured reserve on October 16, 2012; he ended his Jacksonville stint with 33 games played and five starts.[11]

On January 3, 2013, Miller signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After suffering a concussion in the preseason, he was released by the team on August 27.[2][13]

Chicago Bears

On December 30, 2013, Miller was signed by the Chicago Bears to a reserve/future contract.[14] During the 2014 preseason, he recorded two touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles before sustaining a Lisfranc injury to his left foot in the following game. He was placed on injured reserve.[15]

Miller returned to the team for the 2015 season on a one-year extension.[16] In Week 9, against the San Diego Chargers, Miller caught Jay Cutler's 25-yard pass with one hand to score the game-winning touchdown;[17] it was Miller's first NFL touchdown since 2011.[18] One week later, Miller caught five passes for 107 yards, including an 87-yard touchdown pass from Cutler, en route to a 37–13 win over the St. Louis Rams; the catch was the longest by a tight end since Byron Chamberlain's 88-yard play in 1999 and the longest touchdown reception by a Chicago Bear since Matt Forte's 89-yard rush in 2010.[19] He ended the 2015 season with 34 receptions for 439 yards and a team-high five touchdowns.[11] He also played in all 16 games and started a career-high 15 games; until 2015, he had started just five games since his career began in 2009,[20] and had not appeared in a regular season game since 2011.[2]

On March 14, 2016, Miller signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract extension with the Bears.[21] He suffered a broken foot in Week 11 and was placed on injured reserve on November 23. At the time of his injury, Miller was leading the team in receptions (47) and touchdowns (four) with a career-best 486 receiving yards.[22]

In the fourth game of 2017 against the Minnesota Vikings, Miller caught the first career touchdown pass of Bears second-overall draft pick Mitchell Trubisky.[23] On the ensuing two-point conversion, the two were involved in a trick play to tie the game: Trubisky gave the ball to running back Jordan Howard on what appeared to be a draw play until Howard handed off to Miller, who was running in the opposite direction. Trubisky ran alongside Miller on a reverse option play, and when Miller was stopped by Anthony Barr, he pitched to Trubisky, who ran into the end zone unscathed.[24] The following week against the Baltimore Ravens, Miller was the recipient of running back Tarik Cohen's 20-yard touchdown pass on another trick play.[25]

Career-ending injury

On October 29, 2017, in the Bears' Week 8 game against the New Orleans Saints, Miller landed on his left knee while attempting to catch a touchdown pass, dislocating it. The score was initially ruled a touchdown before being overturned.[26] He was taken to nearby University Medical Center New Orleans where further examination revealed he not only dislocated his left knee, but also tore his popliteal artery, a serious, career-threatening injury that raised the possibility of amputation. Miller underwent successful vascular surgery that day and remained hospitalized for three weeks.[27][28][29]

The officials' decision to revert the score was controversial. Referee Carl Cheffers defended the call, explaining Miller needed "to survive the ground" as he landed with the ball. "He went to the ground, he temporarily lost control of the ball. The ball hit the ground; therefore it's incomplete."[30] Although NFL Vice President of Officiating Alberto Riveron also supported the ruling, predecessors Mike Pereira and Dean Blandino argued otherwise; the latter commented, "At some point the process of the catch ends, and it ends when he rolls over on the ground with control. It was ruled a catch on the field. I didn't see anything definitive to overturn it and quite frankly, if it had been ruled incomplete on the field, if it had been me in the command center, I would have reversed it to a catch."[31] In a May 2018 interview, Saints head coach Sean Payton, who visited Miller in the hospital, argued the play should have been a score. The NFL eventually modified catch rules for the 2018 season; under such rules, Miller's catch would have been ruled a touchdown.[32]

The day after the game, Bears head coach John Fox announced he would send video of the play to the NFL.[33] Miller was placed on injured reserve on November 7.[34] He returned to Bears headquarters at Halas Hall in December.[35]

Miller became a free agent after the 2017 season, but re-signed with the Bears on June 4, 2018 to a one-year deal. As part of the contract, he was guaranteed $458,000 for the 2018 season, and would receive $790,000 if he was able to play.[36] However the next day, the Bears placed Miller on the reserve/PUP list, ending his 2018 season.[37][38]

Retirement

On April 16, 2019, Miller announced his retirement from the NFL. He posted a statement on social media: "The time has come to move on from playing the game of football. It has been an incredible journey for myself and my entire family and we can’t thank you enough for your continued support. I would love nothing more than to step onto Soldier Field one last time, but physically I cannot give the game and our fans what they deserve. It’s difficult to find the words to express my love and gratitude to every single person that has cheered my name, lifted me up and stood strong with me throughout my career. I am forever grateful."[11]

In four seasons with Chicago, he started 28 games and appeared in 33 as he recorded 101 receptions for 1,161 yards and 11 touchdowns.[11] Nine days later, the Bears officially released him with a failed physical designation.[39]

Career statistics

YearTeamGamesReceiving
GGSRecYdsAvgLngTD
2009JAX 1402121210.1622
2010JAX 1552021610.852T1
2011JAX 4044210.514T1
2015CHI 15143443912.987T5
2016CHI 1084748610.3344
2017CHI 862023611.8292
Career66331461,63111.28715
Source:[40]

Personal life

Miller is married to his wife Kristen, together they have a daughter and two sons.[1]

Following his retirement from football, Miller became a country music artist. He previously wrote songs for his family, and his interest in music grew while recovering from his leg injury. His debut single "How Ya Like Us Now", which was inspired by those from his hometown who were critical of his NFL aspirations, was released on May 28, 2021.[41] A second song "I Was Hopin'" came out on August 27, 2021.[42]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Zach Miller" (PDF). Jaguars Media Guide. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Campbell, Rich (November 18, 2015). "Zach Miller's injury nightmares in past as he's finally livin' the dream". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  3. ↑ Thompson, Phil (November 14, 2018). "5 things we learned after watching Zach Miller's 12-minute 'Do Not Cut My Leg Off' video". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  4. ↑ Hambleton, Ryly Jane (November 24, 2002). "Bishop Neumann makes right calls". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved April 25, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Omaha Football Bio: #15 Zach Miller".
  6. ↑ Sipple, Steven M. (December 21, 2004). "Solich works on compiling his staff". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved April 25, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Souder, Miller, Earn MVP Honors at Football Banque".
  8. ↑ Hambleton, Ken (November 24, 2006). "UNO's Miller has record day, but Mavs loss". Lincoln Journal Star.
  9. 1 2 "Miller signs contract with Jaguars". Battle Creek Enquirer. June 30, 2009. Retrieved April 25, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "2009 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Mayer, Larry (April 16, 2019). "Miller 'to move on' from playing football". Chicago Bears. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Jacksonville Jaguars waive TE Zach Miller injured, claim TE Brett Brackett". ESPN.com. September 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Bucs Reduce Roster to 75". Buccaneers.com. August 27, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  14. ↑ Wright, Michael C. (December 30, 2013). "Bears sign 11 to reserve/futures contracts". ESPN. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Bears place Miller on injured reserve". ChicagoBears.com. August 15, 2014.
  16. ↑ Mayer, Larry (February 28, 2015). "Bears ink Zach Miller to one-year deal". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on October 27, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  17. ↑ Mayer, Larry (November 9, 2015). "Read and React: Bears-Chargers". Chicago Bears. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  18. ↑ Gaines, Cork (November 9, 2015). "Chicago Bears tight end makes the catch of the year". Business Insider. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  19. ↑ Dubin, Jared (November 15, 2015). "Bears' Zach Miller goes 87 yards for longest catch by TE since 1999". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  20. ↑ Mullin, John (March 15, 2016). "How did Zach Miller stay so healthy with the Bears in 2015?". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  21. ↑ Briggs, Brad (March 14, 2016). "Zach Miller signs two-year deal, believes he can be Bears' No. 1 tight end". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  22. ↑ Mayer, Larry (November 23, 2016). "Bears re-sign Fales, put Miller on IR". ChicagoBears.com.
  23. ↑ Mayer, Larry (October 10, 2017). "Game Recap: Bears edged by late field goal". Chicago Bears. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  24. ↑ Brinson, Will (October 10, 2017). "WATCH: Mitchell Trubisky runs bananas jet sweep pitch for two points after his first TD". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  25. ↑ Kwiecinski, Chris (October 15, 2017). "WATCH: Bears show off more trickery as Tarik Cohen tosses TD to Zach Miller". USA Today. Bears Wire. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  26. ↑ Dickerson, Jeff. "Bears' Zach Miller dislocates knee on awkward landing". ESPN.
  27. ↑ Patra, Kevin. "Zach Miller (knee) undergoes vascular surgery". NFL. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Zach Miller has surgery to save leg; many surgeries to come". San Diego Turbine. October 30, 2017. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  29. ↑ Kane, Colleen (November 20, 2017). "Zach Miller released from hospital: 'Freedom!!!! Guess who's home!?!?'". Chicago Tribune.
  30. ↑ Mayer, Larry (October 29, 2017). "Game Recap: Bears fall to Saints in New Orleans". Chicago Bears. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  31. ↑ Smith, Michael David (October 31, 2017). "Former officiating department heads Blandino, Pereira both say Zach Miller scored". Profootballtalk.com. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  32. ↑ Wagner-McGough, Sean (May 9, 2018). "Even Sean Payton admits Zach Miller really did catch that TD that nearly cost him his leg". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  33. ↑ Dickerson, Jeff (October 30, 2017). "Bears seek further clarification on Zach Miller's overturned TD catch". ESPN. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  34. ↑ Alper, Josh (November 7, 2017). "Bears promote Ben Braunecker, put Zach Miller on injured reserve". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  35. ↑ Spain, Kevin (December 11, 2017). "Zach Miller visits Bears for the first time since leg injury". USAToday.com.
  36. ↑ Dickerson, Jeff (June 4, 2018). "Zach Miller signs 1-year deal with Bears less than year after serious knee injury". ESPN. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  37. ↑ Bergman, Jeremy (June 5, 2018). "Bears place Zach Miller on reserve/PUP, ending season". NFL.com.
  38. ↑ Mayer, Larry (June 3, 2018). "Bears re-sign Miller to one-year contract". www.chicagobears.com. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  39. ↑ Williams, Charean (April 25, 2019). "Bears cut Zach Miller with failed physical designation". Profootballtalk.com. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  40. ↑ "Zach Miller". NFL.com. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  41. ↑ Mayer, Larry (May 28, 2021). "Zach Miller releases first country music song". Chicago Bears. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  42. ↑ Stremplewski, Stephanie (August 27, 2021). "Former Bear Zach Miller releases original song". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
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