We
caught up with former Vikings great, Keith Millard Thursday
afternoon, for a ten-question interview blitz. Keith was nice enough
to share his experiences with us, from football to food, and
everything in between in a segment we call first and 10.
VKNT: Let's start with the team you enjoyed playing against the
most.
Millard:
"Packers, Bears, and Eagles. Always played well against those
teams, the Browns too."
VKNT: Who was the toughest offensive lineman you faced during your
playing days?
Millard:
"Bruce Matthews was really good and a guy named Keith Dorney,
Lions."
VKNT: Who was a player you modeled your playing style after, someone
you looked up to?
Millard:
"Howie Long, Dan Hampton, and Rulon Jones, Jones was with
Denver."
VKNT: Tell us about your transition from tight end to defensive
tackle in college, why the switch?
Millard:
"I was a very good tight end in high school. I believe I could
have played it in the pros, but at Washington State, we ran the
option, so they didn't throw the ball much. So even though I've never
played a down of defense, so i asked my Coach if I could move to linebacker, get more action! Instead, he moved me to Defensive end in
our 3-4 defense, I guess it turned out alright."
VKNT: '89 was a special year, most proud of 18 sacks by a defense
tackle or 39 sacks combined by teammates? (Both still standing
NFL records)
Millard:
"Yes, our defense was the best in the league that year and our
defensive line was second to none. We were in the zone the whole
year. We had a good group of guys that worked well together. I'm very
proud to have played with those guys for seven years."
VKNT: You got to spend a year under Coach Bud Grant, and six years
under Coach Jerry Burns. Give us a little of the players point of
view working under two great Minnesota coaches.
Millard:
"Coach Grant was a legend when I got there. He was everything I
thought or imagined an NFL Head Coach would be. I grew up watching
Bud Grant on the sidelines. I'm very proud to have played for him,
even if it was only for a year. Jerry Burns was a different cat, but
I loved playing for him, because he let me be me, as long as I worked
my ass off and played to win at any cost. I did that."
VKNT: Give us a favorite restaurant you liked to eat at in
Minnesota.
Millard:
"Sensers after games, and a breakfast place the defensive line
ate at every Saturday, but I can't remember the name, but it was
popular."
VKNT: Toughest stadium to play at during the old NFC Central
days?
Millard:
"Chicago in the winter, K.C. and Philly their turf was scary and
the fans were brutal. Had to keep your helmet on at all
times."
VKNT: You have seen this game from just about every angle, player,
coach, father of sons who have played. What advice would you pass on
to a high school kid with NFL aspirations?
Millard:
"I would say to anyone who has dreams and aspirations to do
whatever, go for it, do whatever it takes, and don't let anything
hold you back. There will be hard times in reaching your goals, it's
part of the growing experience. You have to go through it to make it
to the top. It's worth it! Pay your dues."
VKNT: One more for the die-hard Vikes fans, what did it mean to you
to be a Minnesota Viking?
Millard:
"Everything! I hated the USFL, but it made me who I was as a
player. The NFL was my dream and why I worked so hard. Minnesota was
very good to me. I really loved playing in the Metrodome 'cause of
our fans. They got you pumped up!"
VKNT: Thank you for taking the time to reflect with us, this means a
lot to this fan base.
Millard:
"My pleasure, thank you for what you do."
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