HICKORY — Truth is said to be stranger than fiction, and the case of Lenoir-Rhyne
defensive end and Division II All-America candidate and NFL prospect John Milem is most
definitely of the believe-it-or-not-variety. When Milem graduated from West Rowan High in 1993, he weighed 210
pounds, was lightly recruited by a couple of small colleges and had no idea what he wanted
to do with his life.
But then he joined the Marines,
those folks who are always looking for a few good men, and became a walking advertisement
for the Corps, muscling up swiftly to 250 pounds.
“I’d never had the kind
of conditioning that I got in the Marines,” said Milem. “The best thing about
the Marines was they made me mature a lot. The only bad thing about the Marines is that
they own you 24-7 (24 hours a day, seven days a week).”
These days though, Milem, now 6-7
and 290 solid pounds at age 23, owns opposing offensive linemen and quarterbacks.
Milem, has the sort of dimensions
one usually finds at Florida State or Tennessee. So how come he’s at D-IILenoir-Rhyne
and terrorizing people like Tusculum?
“Mostly, my body just
developed later than most,” says Milem.
People like Catawba coach David
Bennett get tears in their eyes just thinking about that huge body that got away to one of
the Tribe’s biggest rivals.
“John’s daddy came up to
me before the kickoff (for Saturday’s Catawba-Lenoir-Rhyne game in Hickory) and
introduced himself,” said Bennett. “What’s really wild is that the Milems
live in the same neighborhood as me. That big boy could have stayed home and played
football for Catawba. I just wish I’d known.”
Milem credits two of his best
buddies, Shannon Myers and Mike Morton, for getting him back into football and back into
school.
Yes, that Shannon Myers (now with
the Oakland Raiders) and that Mike Morton (now with the St. Louis Rams).
“I house-sit for Mike and
I’ve lived with Shannon (a Lenoir-Rhyne grad) and I work out and run with both of
them,” said Milem. “They’re great men and great friends.”
Milem was just sort of hanging out
after leaving the Marines when Myers gave him a swift kick in the behind.
“I was working as a bouncer
in a bar,” said Milem. “Shannon said, ‘John, what the heck are you
doing?’ And I told him, ‘Nothing.’ That’s when he told me the best
thing for me might be to come to Lenoir-Rhyne. He said there was nothing wrong with being
a big fish in a small pond.”
Morton did his part to get Milem
back on track too.
“Mike just grabbed me by the
shirttail and told me to get back to playing football,” said Milem.
Milem has become the Bears’
leader, and is a co-captain, although he is only a sophomore eligibility-wise (shoulder
surgery made him a medical redshirt last year). He even plays tight end in short yardage
and goal-line situations. And he keeps Myers and Morton informed of his progress.
“Shannon and I talk two or
three times a week,” said Milem. “I guarantee he’ll call tonight wanting to
know how we did against Catawba.”
Milem, who had three sacks against
Tusculum, Wingate and Presbyterian, won’t have good news for Myers concerning the
Catawba game (a 24-7 Bear loss), but he may have good news in the near future. Because
with his scary combination of size, strength and quickness, he may be following his pals
to the NFL.
“I’m considering
declaring for the draft after this season,” said Milem. “The NFLpeople know
about me.”
“I say John ought to go to
the NFL and go right now,” said a chuckling Bennett, who obviously isn’t
interested in playing against his “neighbor” for two more years. “And
please make sure he reads that.” |
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