[ad_1]
ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Former Detroit Lions GM Matt Millen is moving away from his Big Ten broadcast role for the rest of the season and is focusing on his treatment of amyloidosis.
Millen worked for the network as a color analyst for the first five games of this season. He had also worked on the radio with the Oakland Raiders.
"We will certainly miss seeing Matt this fall, but his health is the top priority for everyone involved," said Big Ten Network senior vice president Mark Hulsey on Wednesday. "And we plan to support him in every way possible."
The 60-year-old opened for the first time about his diagnosis – which eventually leaves him with a heart transplant – earlier this year at the Allentown Morning Call in Pennsylvania. Amyloidosis occurs when amyloid accumulates in the bone marrow and ends up in organs and body tissues. As it progresses, it can force an organ failure by affecting healthy tissue.
In April, the Morning Call announced that the heart of Millen was operating at 30% capacity. Mr Millen, a former ESPN employee, said on the morning call that he had started having symptoms seven years ago.
"I know what you have," said Millen, according to the newspaper, according to doctors. "And you will not like that."
A second-round pick at Penn State in 1980, Millen was linebacker for 12 years for Oakland, San Francisco and Washington. He became All-Pro twice, once Pro Bowler and four-time Super Bowl champion.
In 2001, he was hired by Lions from the broadcast booth to become president and general manager of the team. He was fired during the 2008 season, when Lions finished between the ages of 0 and 16.
Mayo Clinic statistics indicate that 70% of those diagnosed are men, typically 60 to 70 years old.
Source link
