A man whose job is to hit people on the football field would normally not want to be referred to as “Sweet Pea.”

Knocking people down on a regular basis would more likely earn someone titles such as “The Assassin” or “Bone Crusher.”

But senior linebacker Fred Miller is the exception. Since birth, Miller has taken on the moniker Sweet Pea – a name he is proud to have kept throughout his entire life.

Prior to Miller being born, his grandmother had hopes of her grandson being named after her husband and his grandfather, Charles.

The senior All-American instead received the name Frederick, something his grandmother has always refused to call him.

She chose the name Sweet Pea for her newly born grandson and the name has stuck even after migrating to Eastern from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

“Most people don’t know me as Fred Miller, they know me as Sweet Pea,” Miller said. “It’s a name I’m very proud of. In high school, the announcer would say Fred “Sweet Pea” Miller. (With the name coming from my grandma) it was kind of special and I have never heard her call me Fred.”

Miller was everything but sweet to the Illinois State offense Saturday, recording 19 total tackles and returning an interception for a touchdown in the Redbirds’ opening drive.

Miller said his performance was something he expects himself to achieve on a weekly basis.

“I was having visions before the game of what I wanted to do,” Miller said. “That’s the type of ball I know I can play.”

His play earned good remarks from head coach Bob Spoo and defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni and also got him named Ohio Valley Conference defensive player of the week.

“Fred is one of our leader’s on defense,” Spoo said. “I hope some of our other players follow his example. His OVC recognition was well deserved.”

The touchdown also helped him nab a free meal from freshman tailback Guillermo Davis. Davis said if Miller got an interception, he would buy him McDonald’s, and for a touchdown – a steak dinner.

“It feels really good getting that interception in my final season,” Miller said.

Last season, Miller had to make a name for himself in the secondary when Bellantoni needed his services because of young corps of safeties.

He was later moved back to linebacker in the middle of the season, but injuries hampered his effectiveness.

Now Miller is where he wants to be and can finally work on mastering his desired spot on the field. Miller said middle linebacker is what best suits his playing style.

“I’m aggressive and I love to hit people,” Miller said. “I was hurting last year and just couldn’t get the numbers. I’m just praying that I stay injury free this year.”

Eastern has sputtered out of the gates with an early 1-2 record, but Miller is confident the team can come around.

He said the defense can continue to get better while the offense will start putting points on the board.

“We know the offense is struggling right now, but we are not going to whine and cry about it,” Miller said. “They are going to come around.”

Miller now wants to leave people at Eastern remembering him like a Tony Romo or a J.R. Taylor. He also wants to send a message to all those who never gave him a chance.

“I want to show people that I could play at this level and the people that didn’t believe in me that I could play (Division I-A),” Miller said. “I really want to leave a landmark here. I want people to remember the name Fred Miller.”

The future is unknown for Miller, but in the back of his mind remains the thought of one day playing professionally.

“I don’t know the future,” Miller said. “I wish I could play at the next level. I just get chill bumps running through my body because that’s what I play for. Playing in the NFL would be a dream come true.”