Fast flying Raven

Short career but long-term ambitions for Ravens’ Miller

Kyle Miller can’t point to a long history playing the game he loves. What he can say that he has more than made up for lost time and looks forward to building a post-secondary gridiron career.

Kyle Miller

Positions:
Safety

Height/Weight:
6’0, 165lbs

Teams:
Terry Fox Ravens (high school:  BCHSFA)

Commitment:
None

Official Visits:
None

Consideration:
Open

Class:
2014

Kyle brings the same dedication and focus to football that he brings to his studies. It is a dedication he has had to cultivate to increase his effectiveness on behalf of the Terry Fox Ravens. Unlike many of his teammates Kyle has only been playing for two years.

“I started playing in my grade ten,” Kyle says, “The first and only team I’ve ever played for is Terry Fox Secondary but I’ve tried to maximize every rep I take in practice to catch up for all the time I’ve  lost.”

This persistence and work ethic has paid dividends for Kyle. Last season, he was honoured with the Captain Crunch Award, given by the Ravens to the player who can deliver the hardest hits.

Kyle’s busy schedule leaves no time for other athletics, and his love of and skill at football has been a hard-won prize, and originates with his first team trip with the Ravens to Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington for their annual team training camp.

“I had no idea what I was doing and my teammates helped me stay focused and keep learning,” Kyle says, “That week changed my teammates into brothers and made me fall in love with football.”

Along with his teammates on the Ravens, Kyle gives credit for his life in football to his father, Doug Miller and his Defensive Back coach Jordan Lieberman. Both men have provided encouragement and direction for Kyle as he has earned his place on his team.

“My Dad has always been my number one fan right from the start,” Kyle says, “He almost never misses a practice or game and he has made me who I am today by showing me how that it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”

To Coach Lieberman, Kyle gives him absolute credit for teaching him the fundamentals of football from the ground up and a heartfelt thanks for all he has done.

“He taught me everything that I know in football and has taught me how to be a leader,” Kyle says, “This man gave me hope when I had none.”

“He gave me a star to shoot for and without whom I would be nothing in this sport. For that I am forever grateful that he is in my life.”

Kyle graduates high school in 2014 and is planning to enroll in university the following autumn. Beyond this, however, his football plans remain undecided.

“At this point I’m communicating with many schools and it is hard to say which ones I will definitely consider,” Kyle says.

While his own future in football is still unfolding, Kyle predicts that football in Canada will continue to grow in popularity. In fact, his feelings about Canadian football mirror his own rise in the sport.

“I feel that Football in Canada is growing every day,” Kyle says, “Players are better than ever and hungry to learn.”

“The future of football in Canada is bright.”

(Max Olesen’s Twitter: http://twitter.com/WritingOlesen)