Texas A&M Commerce wide receiver Keith Miller III is found dead at 23 near the Dallas-area campus as his girlfriend, coaches, and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice’s son Brenden remember ‘a beloved father, son, and teammate’
- Texas A&M-Commerce receiver Keith Miller III was found dead near campus
- A cause of death has not been revealed. Miller was reportedly the father of a boy
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
The shocking death of a college football star has sparked an outpouring of grief from his girlfriend, former teammates and coaches, as well as the Dallas area.
Texas A&M-Commerce wide receiver Keith Miller III was found dead near campus Thursday evening, according to a school news release. A cause of death has not been revealed and a police spokeswoman did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for more information.
Miller is described as a father in a statement from Lions coach Clint Dolezel, although details about the 23-year-old’s home life remain murky. He was apparently dating a woman named Caila Jae, who shared her grief on Instagram.
“I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you,” Jae captioned a smiling photo of the couple on social media. ‘I will never love anyone the way I loved you. See you soon.’
The football star was also remembered by Southern California receiver Brenden Rice, the son of Hall of Famer Jerry and a former teammate of Miller’s at Colorado. Both Miller and Rice began their college careers on the Boulder campus before transferring to Texas A&M Commerce and USC, respectively.
Miller (left) was apparently in a relationship with a woman named Caila Jae (pictured right)
Miller is seen with girlfriend Caila Jae in one of her many Instagram posts of the couple
Brenden Rice, Jerry’s son and Miller’s former Colorado teammate, shared a photo of Miller’s son
“I love you Brotha,” the younger Rice wrote on Instagram.
Rice also appeared to say he would take care of Miller’s son: “Everything I love, your son will be taken care of.”
In another post with a photo of Miller and a young boy, Rice wrote, “Luka is honest, I got him.”
There was also an outpouring of sadness from both Colorado and Texas A&M Commerce fans.
“You will never be forgotten,” one fan wrote. ‘I looked up to you, I wanted to play football like you.
‘NOT REALLY!!! I’m speechless, KEITH… GANG… We love you forever and beyond! Watch over us!’ another added.
Keith Miller III started playing college football at Colorado before transferring to Commerce
Brenden Rice (far left, near right) shared several photos of herself with the late Miller
Rice (top) and Miller (bottom) became close as teammates at the University of Colorado
Texas A&M Commerce is offering comprehensive counseling services to students following Miller’s death.
“We are heartbroken by Keith’s unexpected passing,” Dolezel said in a statement.
“Keith was a beloved father, son, teammate and student-athlete. We extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, teammates and all who loved him during this very difficult time.”
Athletics director Jim Curry also released his own statement: “We are shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Keith Miller.
The A&M-Commerce community extends its deepest condolences to Keith’s family and those who knew and loved him. Words are hard to find at this time, but we ask that you keep those affected by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers.”