Former Penn State star Matt Millen stops his Big Ten Network work to focus on health
Millen, the Big Ten Network's lead football analyst, is pursuing treatment for amyloidosis, a rare disease that has weakened his heart.
Matt Millen, the Big Ten Network's lead football analyst and former Penn State All-America defensive tackle, will not return to the broadcast booth this season so that he can focus on his health, the network announced Wednesday.
Millen, 60, was diagnosed in 2017 with amyloidosis, a rare disease caused by the buildup of an abnormal protein that affects different organs in different people. In Millen's case, his heart has been harmed and doctors have told him he is likely to need a heart transplant.
The Mayo Clinic website says there is no cure for the disease, but treatments can help manage the symptoms.
Millen, who lives in upper Bucks County, has teamed with play-by-play broadcaster Kevin Kugler for the first five weeks of the college football season. He was at Beaver Stadium to work Penn State's season opener against Appalachian State, and he also served as honorary captain for the coin toss.
"We will certainly miss seeing Matt this fall but his health is the clear priority for everyone involved, and we plan to support him in any way possible," Mark Hulsey, senior vice president of production and executive producer at BTN, said in a statement.