Tampa Bay Buccaneers prospect Jalen McMillan recently shared a touching story about his late grandfather, Herle Gene McMillan, who had a profound impact on his life and career. Herle, who served in the U.S. Army, passed away at the age of 68 after a battle with lung and esophageal cancer. His passing left a huge void in McMillan and his family.

Grandfather – First Teacher and Endless Encouragement
From a young age, McMillan had a special relationship with his grandfather. One of his most memorable memories was when he taught him to ride a bike without training wheels. Despite the difficulties and falls, he always encouraged him to overcome his fears. The lessons from his grandfather helped McMillan develop a resilient and determined spirit in life as well as on the field.

The Pain of Loss and the Journey Through It
The passing of Herle on August 20 left McMillan deeply hurt. He shared that he had fallen into a state of isolation, withdrawing from people and struggling to cope with his emotions. However, with the support of his grandmother Angelika – who moved in with him during college – and his family, McMillan gradually found balance and continued to pursue his football dream.

ESPN.com

Success on the Field – A Tribute to Grandpa
Despite the pain of loss, McMillan still showed impressive performance in his first season in the NFL. He scored eight touchdowns and became one of the Buccaneers’ standout rookies. Every time he took the field, McMillan remembered his grandfather, who had been his biggest source of encouragement and inspiration in his life.

Conclusion
Jalen McMillan’s story is not only a journey of overcoming personal pain, but also a testament to the power of family love and resilience. He turned his loss into motivation, continued to shine on the field and kept his faith in the future.