Keith Miller III, a footballer with Texas A&M-Commerce, was discovered dead in his apartment near the Commerce, Texas campus on the evening of April 11, 2024.
The 23-year-old’s sudden death has left both the university community and his family grappling with their loss. The circumstances surrounding his death are still under investigation, and no details have been released yet.
Miller was a native of The Colony, Texas, and was well-known for his athletic abilities and leadership skills, as well as his lively personality. He played a crucial role in the A&M-Commerce Lions team as a captain during the 2023 season. His influential presence both on and off the field was widely recognized.
Miller’s football career started at The Colony High School where he emerged as a standout player. He initially joined the Colorado Buffaloes before transferring back to his home state to play for A&M-Commerce. As a wide receiver, Miller made notable contributions to the Lions over two seasons.
Clint Dolezel, the head coach of the university, expressed his deep sadness over Miller’s death, referring to him as a cherished father, son, teammate, and student. “Keith was the heart of our team and more so a caring individual off the field,” Dolezel said in a statement. The Athletic Director, Jim Curry, also conveyed his anguish, acknowledging the challenge of articulating the void left by Miller’s sudden passing.
In light of the tragedy, Texas A&M-Commerce has increased its counseling services to help students dealing with the loss. All members of the Lion community, including students, faculty, and alumni, were urged to unite during this difficult period to support each other and remember Miller’s contributions.
Brenden Rice, a former teammate of Miller at Colorado and the son of NFL Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice, currently playing at USC, shared his sorrow on social media. “Keith was not just a teammate but a brother to me,” Rice stated, vowing to care for Miller’s son, illustrating the strong personal connections they had developed on and off the field.
