Learning Curve – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/26/2013 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 26, 2013
Thus far in his collegiate career, it has been a journey of ups and downs for Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller. From guiding the Buckeyes to an undefeated 12-0 record a season ago to becoming the Scarlet and Gray’s all-time leading rushing quarterback with 2,219 yards, Miller has quietly absorbed the attention. Fast forward to 2013 and a knee injury in Ohio State’s home and season opener vs. Buffalo Aug. 31 forced Miller to relinquish his starting duties.
Despite the setback, the Huber Heights, Ohio, native has confidently continued to fulfill the team agenda that includes Big Ten and national title aspirations. With such lofty goals, it’s understandable all eyes are on the Buckeyes and specifically Miller. However, describing himself as “low-key,” Miller’s interests don’t include flashing lights and cameras, but simply the game.
Miller’s passion for football is rooted in his time as a younger version of himself with older brother Breyon Miller and his father Kevin Miller.
“My brother is my best friend,” Miller said. “Whenever I need something I go to him. He has always taken care of me since I was younger and I have always tried to follow his lead. I started playing football with the older guys and people say I was able to become really good at football because I was trying to compete with them. He is a little bit older than me, but he and my father are really big influences in my life.”
In turn, Miller often channels his inner big brother as a Buckeye leader.
“Being the quarterback at Ohio State, all eyes are on you and if you mess up criticism will come automatically, but you have to be strong enough to endure it,”
“The ball is in your hands every time and if you mess up, the game can go really badly. You have to be a leader and block out the negativity. Everyone knows it’s football and you will make mistakes.”
Whether his accomplishments or mistakes are magnified by the media attention, the same is true for Miller – he would rather play the game and unobtrusively retreat. But by now, Miller understands and appreciates that withdrawing is not an option and has worked diligently to express his sincerity in interviews.
“Interviews are part of the territory,” Miller said. “I am a communication major and I took public speaking so I’m ok with it. Working with Jerry [Emig] has really helped with my interviewing skills as well. He gives me tips and shows me clips from guys in the NFL like Russell Wilson and Tom Brady and how they handle and present themselves. I take notes from them.”
The standard television or print media interview is pretty much the end of any Miller sound bites as well. Not a huge fan of social media, Miller prefers to let his performance on the field speak for itself.
“Social media is something to do when I have down time, so I don’t use it that often,” Miller said. “If it’s been a month or so since I’ve posted something I’ll probably put a picture up, but I don’t tweet what I’m doing or where I’m going. It’s just really part of my low-key personality.”
It’s no easy feat staying calm in some of the most stressful of situations. And with a vast majority of the nation watching, a “low-key” personality is a much needed and welcomed antidote.
By Ciara Travis, Athletics Communications
Contributing Writer: Danielle Warner, Athletics Communications
