Northwest mourns passing of former Hall of Famer Jeff Miller

Credit: Northwest Mississippi Community College Sports Information

Northwest Mississippi Community College is mourning the loss of NFL veteran and Northwest Sports Hall of Famer Jeff Miller, who passed away on Sept. 27, at the age of 50.

Miller was part of one of the most successful two-year stints in Northwest football history, starting nearly every game for the Rangers from 1991-92. During that stretch, Northwest finished as the national runners-up in 1991, before earning redemption as the 1992 NJCAA National Champions.

A native of Vero Beach, Fla., Miller started 10 games on the offensive line, earning Honorable Mention All-America recognition. The next season, the Rangers finished with a perfect 13-0 record and captured the Mid-America Bowl title, shutting out Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, 34-0, on a snowy December day in Tulsa.

Along with many of his teammates, Miller racked up several honors during his sophomore season, including First Team All-MACJC, NJCAA All-Region 23 and Second Team NJCAA All-American accolades. He soon caught the attention of Ole Miss, where he spent his next two years continuing his athletic and academic careers.

Starring under coaches Billy Brewer and Joe Lee Dunn while at Ole Miss, Miller had a stellar career in the Southeastern Conference and was named a team captain ahead of his 1994 senior season. Following his final season in Oxford, Miller was named Second Team All-SEC and was taken in the fourth round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.

Miller’s professional football career included a two-year stint with the Packers and one season with the Washington Commanders. He also played overseas in the NFL Europe with the Berlin Thunder, before retiring from football and working as an athletic specialist of youth sports for the Hillsborough County Recreation Department.

Miller leaves behind his wife, the former Tarsha Nelson of Yazoo City, and three sons (Jeff Jr., Justin, Justice). Arrangements include a visitation on Friday, Oct. 6 at Friendship Baptist Church in Vero Beach, Fla. and a private memorial service, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7 at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach.

To send flowers or add a tribute, click here.