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Keith Millard was born in Pleasanton, California. He was a
tight end and linebacker at Foothill High School in
Pleasanton. Keith attended Washington State University where
he was voted first-team All-Pac-10 as a senior and won the
Morris Trophy as the Pac-10's top defensive lineman. He
played tight end as a freshman and was moved to defensive
tackle as a sophomore, cracking the starting lineup for the
first time as a junior.
Keith was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 1984 in a
first-round draft choice, 13th overall. He was also drafted
by the Arizona Wranglers of the United States Football
League in '84, and after being traded, he played one season
with the Jacksonville Bulls in 1985. Keith Millard ranked
second in the league with 12 sacks and was voted to the All-USFL
team. That effort was also good enough to land him on the
All-Time USFL team.
Keith Millard joined the Vikings in 1985 as a rookie and
burst onto the scene by leading the team with 11 sacks as a
defensive end. In 1986, he had another stellar year with
10.5 sacks.
In 1989, Keith Millard moved to defensive tackle and set
what remains an NFL record for sacks by an interior lineman,
registering 18, en route to his second consecutive Pro Bowl
invitation and third consecutive All-Pro honor. At 6’ 5” and
263 pounds, Millard was infamous for reading the snap counts
of many top offenses. Keith earned two consecutive NFL
Defensive Linemen of the Year Awards and in 1989 was named
the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
After retiring from playing the game he loves, Keith Millard
went on to coaching. He coached at the college level before
getting a job with the Denver Broncos' coaching staff as the
club's assistant defensive line coach/pass rush specialist.
He was in charge of creating and implementing all pass rush
techniques used in the Broncos' defensive scheme. The
Broncos have one of the toughest defenses in the league
thanks to Keith Millard. Most recently, the Oakland Raiders
hired Keith Millard as the defensive line coach.
Keith’s large stature was a huge asset in bulking up the
Minnesota Vikings defensive line. His All-Pro honors and
record setting sacks make him a Minnesota Vikings great.