Detroit Lions announcer Dan Miller was seen making a heartbreaking tribute to his wife Cindy, who passed away two weeks prior, on Sunday afternoon.
Cynthia, who went by ‘Cindy,’ passed away at 63 on October 10 after battling cancer. She and her husband Dan shared four children and two grandchildren.
In his first game back in the booth, just over two weeks after her death and during the NFL’s annual Crucial Catch initiative, Miller was seen making the emotional tribute.
Miller was seen holding up a Crucial Catch tribute card in honor of his late wife during their game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field.
At the same time, Miller’s colleagues inside the booth also held up signs bearing Cindy’s name in an emotional moment, which quickly went viral on social media.
The NFL Crucial Catch program is a joint initiative with the American Cancer Society focused on cancer prevention, early detection and addressing health disparities in under-resourced communities.
Dan Miller was seen paying an emotional tribute to his late wife Cindy on Sunday afternoon
Born Cynthia Biondi, according to The Detroit News, Cindy was working as a Westwood One radio producer when she met her husband, future Lions announcer Dan Miller
Miller had missed the Lions’ game against the Arizona Cardinals on October 11 following Cindy’s death, with Detroit Tigers announcer Jason Benetti filling in.
‘Our thoughts are with Dan right now, all weekend, and for the future, with the loss of his wife of 33 years, Cindy, a couple of days ago,’ Benetti said during the broadcast.
‘Dan is one of the most remarkable people I have met in my time in Detroit. One of the most sincere human beings you can possibly dream of. A fantastic voice of the Lions for more than two decades.’
Meanwhile, an emotional Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell fought back tears while awarding an honorary game ball to Miller after the loss.
‘We’ll start with this,’ Campbell said holding up a football after Detroit’s 45-21 win over the Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona. ‘This ball to Dan Miller and his family.
‘That was hard to hear, what they went through,’ Campbell continued. ‘I know it’s been a tough road for Dan. This is for him. Salt of the earth, man. Dan is salt of the earth, and I know this has been hard, and so — but now I know Cindy’s at peace, and we love you, Dan.’
Lions quarterback Jared Goff also shared his condolences with reporters following the game.
‘We’re thinking about Dan,’ Goff began before getting choked up, just like his head coach. ‘We’re thinking about you, Dan. Love you, man.
Cynthia, who went by ‘Cindy,’ passed away at 63 after battling cancer. She and her husband Dan shared four children and two grandchildren
Lions head coach Dan Campbell fought back tears while awarding an honorary game ball to team play-by-play announcer Dan Miller on Sunday after the loss of his wife, Cynthia
‘He’s just an important piece of the culture here, he really is,’ Goff said of Miller. ‘His voice is Lions football, and he means a lot to us, he’s part of our family, and I talk to him weekly, and I know he’s in our hearts right now and all of our prayers.’
Born Cynthia Biondi, according to The Detroit News, Cindy was working as a Westwood One radio producer when she met her husband. She would later become a familiar face at Lions games, typically sitting several rows behind the Detroit bench at Ford Field.
‘Cindy had a way of lighting up any room she entered,’ read her obituary from the Griffin Funeral Home. ‘Charismatic, funny, fearless, and full of life, she was someone people were naturally drawn to. Her warmth and accepting nature made everyone feel comfortable and included, while her fierce loyalty and protective spirit left no doubt about how deeply she loved those closest to her.’
Cindy would later become a preschool teacher and in addition to her love for her family and students, was known for her kindness to pets.
‘She had an enormous love for animals, especially cats, fostering many and welcoming numerous furry companions into her home throughout the years,’ the obituary read. ‘Among them, Marvin, her soul cat who greeted her in heaven and Martha, her 17-year-old adopted dog, held an especially treasured place in her heart.’
