Football

Bellefonte receiver honors father

Guy Cipriano

BELLEFONTE — Spotting his father at football games, scrimmages, practices, banquets or workouts never was a problem for Torin Miller.

CDT/Christopher Weddle

Torin Miller warms up with a teammate during a practice at Bellefonte High School on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. CDT/Christopher Weddle

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Once it got chilly, Todd Miller wore a yellow Columbia coat, a trademark that contrasted Bellefonte colors, but proved comforting to Torin.

“He was easy to pick out,” Torin said.

And Todd Miller was always at football events, supporting a son who plays the game with zest. Torin Miller also plays with emotion, and no game compared to what he experienced Oct. 19.

On a crisp Monday night, the Red Raiders honored Todd, who died in May after a 14-month battle with brain cancer. Before facing Central Mountain, Torin stepped on the field with his mother, Wendy, and brother, Trey, by his side.

Somehow, Torin Miller composed himself enough to play a game that will forever be etched in his family’s memory. The junior caught six passes for 135 yards, as an undermanned, one-win Bellefonte team nearly upset Class AAAA Central Mountain.

“He was the guy that night,” teammate and close friend Coleman Rigg said. “That night, every pass that was in the air, it didn’t matter where it was, it was in his hands. He was just on fire. He was definitely playing for something that night.”

Torin was playing for the man who anchored his football career.

Todd, who grew up a hockey player in State College, coached Torin’s Pop Warner teams, gently prodding his youngest son to play his best every down.

“He always pushed me to do my best and play,” Torin said. “But he never forced me to do anything. He was my biggest fan for sure.”

Their dialogue increased as Torin aged. Torin, a wide receiver/defensive back, developed into a varsity regular as a sophomore last fall. Win or lose, Torin knew a good football conversation awaited when he returned to his Zion home on Friday nights.

“He just wanted to talk about it the rest of the evening whether it was a game I didn’t want to talk about or a good game,” Torin said.

Torin and Todd’s relationship extended way beyond a game played 10 times each fall. Torin and Todd hunted when the season ended. They fished when the streams turned warm.

Todd, who worked for Snap-On tools, taught Torin how to cut grass, change lightbulbs, get the most out of a car and fix air conditioners. Torin took notes, but didn’t realize he would be required to do those things alone at just age 17. Trey, a 2008 Bellefonte graduate, is a college sophomore who lives at Penn State, where he works as a sports information intern. Trey helps Torin and Wendy around the house when he returns home.

“It has been very rough,” Torin said. “I have been having to step up around the house and doing a lot of things I’m not used to doing that I have never had to do before.”

Wendy’s role also has changed. One of her adjustments involves late-night football conversations with Torin.

“She has been amazing,” Torin said. “She has been extremely strong and supportive. She also has done a lot of things she has never done before.”

Football means more to Torin Miller than it ever did before.

Some of his best friends play the sport, many of whom knew his father. His teammates provide stability. The field offers a temporary respite from his internal pain.

“I can’t possibly imagine what a young man like Torin goes through on a daily basis given his situation,” Bellefonte coach Zac Wynkoop said. “I couldn’t imagine going through that now as a 30-year-old man, let alone a 17-year-old kid. I just have a tremendous amount of respect for Torin, his brother, their mom and his family. My hope is that football is a release for Torin.

“It’s something he can do in remembrance of his father. I know his dad loved sports, loved football, loved to watch Torin play and he’s still watching Torin play. I know that Torin is making him proud.”

Torin’s not stopping once the season ends next week.

He wants to get bigger and faster, which should lead him to the weight room frequently during the winter, spring and summer.

Torin still has more games to play. He knows the man who wore the yellow coat can’t wait for the next one.

Guy Cipriano can be reached at 231-4643.