Miller looking to inspire at Sports Awards
Anthony Miller's mindset has carried him from college walk-on to NFL standout.
Don't waste time. Listen to your coaches. If they're sleeping on you, wake them up. And perhaps most importantly, never forget where you come from.
That's why he's coming back to Memphis to speak at the Commercial Appeal Sports Awards presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans on May 17 as the event's guest speaker. He is excited to spread his message to promising high school athletes.
The sports awards begins at 6 p.m. with the red carpet and the awards show starts at 7 p.m.
Award nominees receive two tickets each and all athletes of the week receive tickets.
Tickets can also be purchased online at sportsawards.commercialappeal.com. Tickets cost $25.
“It means a lot to me because it's the city that made me who I am and the type of player I am. I think just being from Memphis gives you that edge that a lot of guys don’t have," said Miller. "It’s only right to come back and show the kids who are in the position I was in that they can do it, too."
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound wide receiver caught a team-best seven touchdowns for the Chicago Bears as a rookie this season. He said the physicality of the game is different from college but his mentality stayed the same.
"It’s not anything new or different from college," said Miller of playing in the NFL. "Of course you’re playing with grown men, but I just went in with the mentality of not holding anything back. It was sort of like being a freshman all over again."
The former consensus All-american said he wasn't even in the Tigers' gameplan back then, but his determination allowed him to change that.
"When you’re walking on they don’t really expect you to play and you’re not in their initial plan to start off," said Miller. "I had to open some eyes whether it was in the weight room or in practice just trying to work my way in and find my opportunity."
Lausanne athletic director Kevin Locastro, who coached Miller at Christian Brothers, said his "infectious" work ethic was a positive force during Purple Wave practices and was a good example for younger players. He also said that Miller began his high school career around 5-6 and 135 pounds and that being overlooked for his size helped motivate Miller to be great.