Overcoming obstacles nothing new for Riders' Steven Miller

Dealing with adversity is nothing new for Riders running back Steven Miller.

So much so, the pint-sized ball carrier has a tattoo on his back that reads “thou shall not break.”

“That actually came into my life in high school. A lot of bad things happened when I was younger,” he said.

“You just have to fight through whatever you’re going through and just make the best of it.”

There’s no meaning behind Miller having the tattoo on his back, he just wanted one at the time. The message isn’t any less inspirational for Miller who continues to believe it to this day.

On the field, not much has come easy for the Plainsfield, New Jersey native. During his junior year of high school, Miller broke his ankle; an injury that could seriously derail the career of a young running back looking to make the professional ranks.

“There was a point where I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to play because of my grades, which is why I went to a junior college,” said Miller.

“Just hurdling over those obstacles, it helped me out in the long run.”

Miller had some positive role models in his life growing up. His uncle, Lee Jenkins, father of NFL corner back Malcolm Jenkins, was heavily involved in youth football in the area as he often made sure local kids made it to games by picking them up.

“When we were younger, he used to throw football at us 100 miles per hour,” said Miller.

“It wasn’t until (I was) 11-years-old when I really started playing. He was definitely a big part of it.”

Now, Miller and Jenkins often return home to give back the community and the high school they grew up in.

“A lot of kids go to that high school to play football because of us. To go back and inspire them and to show them you have access to us, it’s big to them. We’re big on the children.”

“A lot of kids go to that high school to play football because of us. To go back and inspire them and to show them you have access to us, it’s big to them. We’re big on the children.” – Miller

All of the hard times and influences are starting to pay off for Miller. Two weeks ago, he made his 2015 Riders debut and Miller led the team with 200 combined yards on kick-off return, punt return and rushing.

Miller will get another chance to impress Saturday afternoon as he’ll be in the lineup as the Riders take on the Calgary Stampeders.

News and Notes

Chamblin confirmed on Thursday that receiver Chris Getzlaf and offensive lineman Levy Adcock will not play against the Stampeders.

With those two out, receiver Alex Carroll will make his first start at receiver. Randy Richards will replace Adcock at right tackle.

Chamblin wouldn’t say whether linebacker Jake Doughty, who hasn’t practiced this week, would play. Defensive back Alex Suber also did not practice on Thursday. Defensive backs Paul Woldu and Don Unamba will likely make their way onto the roster. Fullback Scott McHenry also appears to be making his first appearance of 2015.