Barrington coach Sanchez: Miller has remained a part of the community
Humble, grateful and a part of the community.
That's how Barrington head football coach Joe Sanchez describes 2015 graduate Scotty Miller, a wide receiver for the Super Bowl-bound Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"It's pretty special," Sanchez said of watching the 2014 Daily Herald All-Area Team captain play in the NFL.
"What's more special is that he's such a great young man and he comes from such a great family."
While Miller may be undersized for an NFL receiver - 5-foot-9 and 174 pounds - Sanchez says the second-year pro overcame that throughout his career with intangibles that can't be taught.
"Everything he's gotten he's earned," said Sanchez, now in his 21st year as Barrington's head coach. "His heart and his determination ... his desire to succeed. He had very few college offers before Bowling Green came in after we beat Maine South in the second round of the (2014) playoffs.
"The best part of Scotty's story is all you need is one person, one team, to believe in you."
Sanchez says watching Miller's 39-yard TD catch from Tom Brady just before halftime of last week's NFC Championship Game at Green Bay, was simply a thrill.
"Just to get a chance to watch him and see him do that on that big stage is one of the highlights of my career," said Sanchez, who stays in contact with the only other player in Barrington history to play in a Super Bowl, Gary Fencik of the Super Bowl XX champion Chicago Bears.
Miller's willingness to give back to the high school program he played for is also special to Sanchez.
"He never forgets his roots," said Sanchez, who was able to join Miller's parents with his family in the stands Jan. 3 in Tampa when the Bucs beat Atlanta in the regular-season finale.
"Anytime he's home he takes the time to come by and talk to the guys. That's pretty special.
"To see his career so far ... I'm just very grateful to be a small part of it."