Matt Millen

Matt Millen is a former American football linebacker, television sportscaster, and front-office executive. He achieved significant success as a player, winning four Super Bowl championships with three different franchises. Millen later transitioned to a prominent broadcasting career before a tumultuous tenure as president and general manager of the Detroit Lions.

Early life and playing career

Born in Hokendauqua, Pennsylvania, Millen was a standout multi-sport athlete at Whitehall High School. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions under legendary coach Joe Paterno, earning All-American honors and helping the team win the national championship in the 1978 season. Selected in the second round of the 1980 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, Millen quickly became a key defensive contributor. His professional playing career was defined by remarkable team success, as he won Super Bowl rings with the Raiders (XV, XVIII), the San Francisco 49ers (XXIII), and the Washington Redskins (XXVI), becoming one of few players to win titles with three different organizations.

Broadcasting career

Following his retirement after the 1991 NFL season, Millen moved into sports broadcasting. He became a highly regarded analyst, working for major networks like CBS, Fox, and NBC. Millen served as a color commentator for NFL games on Fox and was part of the broadcast team for NBC Sunday Night Football. His insightful, straightforward analysis made him a respected figure in the booth, and he also provided commentary for college football games, including the Big Ten Network.

Executive career with the Detroit Lions

In 2001, Millen was hired as president and chief executive officer of the Detroit Lions, despite having no prior front-office experience. His tenure, which lasted through the 2008 NFL season, is widely considered one of the worst in modern NFL history. The Lions compiled a record of 31–84 under his leadership, including the NFL's first 0–16 season in 2008. Criticized draft selections, such as wide receivers Charles Rogers, Mike Williams, and Roy Williams with high first-round picks, failed to pan out. Millen was finally relieved of his duties early in the 2008 season amid intense fan protests and media criticism.

Post-Lions career and health

After his departure from the Detroit Lions, Millen returned to broadcasting with the Big Ten Network and ESPN. In 2018, he publicly revealed he had been diagnosed with amyloidosis, a rare blood disease, and was awaiting a heart transplant. He received a new heart in December 2018 at Stanford Hospital and became an advocate for organ donation awareness. Millen has since made occasional television appearances, sharing his health journey while continuing his work as a football analyst.

Personal life

Millen and his wife, Patricia, have four children. His son, Marcus Millen, also played college football as a linebacker at the University of Colorado. The Millen family has been deeply involved in community and charitable efforts, particularly following his health challenges. He remains a revered figure at Penn State University, where his jersey number (#55) is retired.

Category:American football linebackers Category:Sportscasters Category:Detroit Lions executives