Wyandotte Football Players Make a Special Fan Smile

A surprise visit by the Bears varsity football team on Wednesday put a smile on the face of one of the team's biggest fans who is under hospice care.

Mike Miller, 78, is a devoted high school sports follower, but his love of football started decades ago when he played for the Oak Hill Red Devils in West Virginia. He was such a talented football player that he was offered a scholarship to Washington and Lee University.

Miller declined the offer to go to college and play football in order to enter the workforce to provide for his family. Miller worked as a foreman for General Motors, a job that eventually brought him to settle in Wyandotte.

He has been married to his wife, Joan, for nearly 60 years. Together they have 10 children, two of whom have died.

Miller never lost his love for football and has cheered on the Wyandotte Bears for years. If the Bears were on the football field practicing or playing, Miller could be seen resting his elbows on top of the fence around the field, watching.

In 1997, he had a stroke that left him unable to speak or walk. For years, his family was able to care for him and he was able to communicate with them using his own signs. After having part of his leg amputated, it became too difficult for the family to care for him on their own.

Two years ago, he was moved into Rivergate Terrace in Riverview. His daughter, Nicole Beaudette, said he has been happy there and has been a “social butterfly."

“They’ve been good to my dad,” she said.

Two weeks ago, his health took a turn for the worse and he was moved to hospice.

Kym Townley, a hospice nurse at Rivergate Terrace, emphasized the football team's visit wasn’t a final wish for Miller, but instead, a celebration.

“When we hear about things that are important to our patients, we try to make a celebration for them,” Townley said.

It wasn't important just to Miller, however. His son, Walter, shares his father’s love of football. Walter works in security at Roosevelt High School and is an equipment manager and assistant manager with the football team.

Once Stephanie Torres, a community educator at Rivergate, made the connection between Miller’s love of football and his son’s close involvement with the Wyandotte football team, she sprang into action. Torres contacted Tom DeSana, athletic director for Wyandotte Public Schools, and arranged for the players to stop by and meet Miller.

Staff wheeled Miller to the dining room with a blindfold around his eyes. Four Roosevelt football players–Hunter Matt, Tony Parker, Tyler Dunn and Tyler Hamilton–stood in front of him wearing their football jerseys.

When the blindfold was removed, Miller’s eyes took a second to focus on the players and then lit up, along with his smile. He shook each of the players’ hands as his eyes teared up.

Miller looked to his daughter, seeming to ask, “Is this for me?”

Head football coach Ron Adams also partook in the emotional meeting. He shook Miller's hand and helped the players present a poster to Miller with a team picture and season record.

“Oh, man!” Miller said.

Miller was able to say his name, introducing himself to the team. He then sang his favorite song, Amazing Grace, to the group.

A sheet with an old photo of Miller in his football uniform, along with statistics about his high school career, was passed around for everyone to read.

In addition to two of his children,  Miller’s grandchildren, Kate Beaudette and Alex Beaudette, also were on hand for the special visit. Pastor Mark Raitz, Rivergate's chaplain who has been ministering to Miller over the past couple years, also was present.

“Mr. Miller has always stood out to me with his bright eyes, smile and personality,” Raitz said. “He is gracious (and) always singing Amazing Grace.”

Blue and gold balloons and streamers decorated the room. Football turf served as a centerpiece on the dining room table along with football-themed candy.

The Rivergate Terrace staff presented Miller with a personalized CD with his favorite music that included songs from Hank Williams, Elvis Presley and The Carter Family.

Adams entertained the group with stories about league rivalries and talk of training for next season.

“We want to help Mr. Miller enjoy what time he as left,” Adams said. “You could tell he was happy today.”

The players found the experience equally as enjoyable and enlightening.

Matt said for him, the experience was eye-opening.

For Parker, meeting Miller was enjoyable.

“I think it was nice–a real nice thing to be able to do,” he said.

Dunn said it was exciting to see Miller happy, and Hamilton agreed.

“It was great putting a smile on Mr. Miller’s face,” Hamilton said.

Adams said he has tried to instill the importance of volunteering in the community in his players. He said this experience was valuable to the players.

“Sometimes, you think you’re helping other people, but a lot of times, you’re helping yourself,” Adams said. “I think the guys here learned that today. ... It gives you an appreciation for the things we’re afforded."

Walter Miller paid close attention to his father during the gathering, asking him if he was OK and whether he was happy.

“He loved it,” Walter Miller said.

Before leaving, Beaudette leaned over and asked her dad, “Pretty nice, huh?”

He smiled and said, “Yeah.”