Campbell dedicates Lions game ball to Dan Miller after broadcaster’s wife dies

Dan Campbell began his postgame news conference Sunday by holding up a football for someone who was away from the Lions. The coach dedicated a game ball to radio announcer Dan Miller and his family after the death of Miller’s wife, Cynthia “Cindy” Miller.

Cindy Miller died Saturday at 63 following a battle with cancer, The Detroit News reported. FOX 2 Detroit, where Dan Miller is sports director, also reported her death and the Lions’ tribute. Miller was absent from the team’s broadcast for the game against Arizona.

Campbell opened with the dedication before discussing Detroit’s 45-21 road win. He described Miller as “salt of the earth” and acknowledged the difficult period the family had endured. The coach closed his remarks about the family by telling the broadcaster, “we love you, Dan.”

The Lions included the dedication in their official postgame notebook and shared the video Sunday night with a blue heart and Miller’s account tagged.

Jared Goff also offered condolences in his postgame interview with Fox. The quarterback became emotional while speaking about Miller’s place around the team, according to The Detroit News. He said he talks with Miller weekly and described the announcer as part of the Lions’ family. “His voice is Lions football,” Goff said.

Detroit Tigers play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti filled in for Miller on Sunday. Benetti said during the broadcast that Miller and his wife had been married for 33 years. During the broadcast, Benetti acknowledged the family’s loss and said his thoughts were with Miller for the weekend and the future, The Detroit News reported.

Miller has called Lions games on radio since 2005 and joined Detroit’s Fox affiliate in 1997. His current FOX 2 profile lists him as sports director and names Lions Game Day Live as his favorite television show to work on.

Sources

Lions official notebook: game ball for Dan Miller · The Detroit News: Campbell dedicates game ball to broadcaster Dan Miller · FOX 2 Detroit reports Cindy Miller’s death and Lions tribute · FOX 2: Dan Miller staff profile · NFL: Miller’s Lions broadcast tenure