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Chicago Bears Do Right By Tight End Zach Miller

By Erik Lambert

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Zach Miller #86 of the Chicago Bears is helped off the field after sustaining an injury during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Zach Miller #86 of the Chicago Bears is helped off the field after sustaining an injury during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 29: Zach Miller #86 of the Chicago Bears is helped off the field after sustaining an injury during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 29: Zach Miller #86 of the Chicago Bears is helped off the field after sustaining an injury during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

One of the most disheartening moments of 2017 for the Chicago Bears was when Zach Miller sacrificed his leg to make a touchdown catch.

Everybody knows the story by now. Mitch Trubisky lofts a beautiful pass to the end zone and Miller makes an even better catch with one hand. Unfortunately, as he tried to corral the ball his knee badly twisted in all sorts of unnatural directions, severing ligaments and blood vessels alike. Things were made even worse when referees inexplicably called the apparent touchdown back because he had failed to control the ball to the ground.

This despite no clear evidence (or evidence at all) that this was the case. Miller was rushed to a nearby hospital and underwent emergency surgery. Doctors said later that a bit longer and he might’ve ended up losing his leg below the knee. It was a scary situation. Not only had he been robbed of an obvious touchdown, he also lost the ability to walk as well. Thankfully that wasn’t the case. Last reports were he’s recovering.

Sadly though this does little to improve the outlook of his career. The injury was so severe that it will take a long time to heal completely. Miller is already 33-years old. After this, no team would dare sign him. No team except the Bears it seems.

Bears show that it’s possible to care for players beyond the bottom line

One has to remember that Miller didn’t just look at football as a game he loved. It was also his primary source of making money to feed his family. This injury puts that under threat. If he can’t play football, what will he do now? The Bears have now made it to where he can continue to earn money until he’s back on his feet. The veteran minimum for a player of his experience should be $915,000, though he’ll likely see around $456,000 of it. Still a nice chunk of change. This in addition to paying all his medical bills.

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Miller should finish his Bears career with 101 catches for 1,161 yards and 11* touchdowns. He wasn’t always able to stay on the field due to injury but when he was he proved to be a reliable pass target and a great leadership presence. No one should doubt he’ll have plenty of strong career prospects once he decides to retire.

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