The University of Georgia chapter of the National Football Foundation recently conducted its annual awards banquet, marking the conclusion of Robert Miles’ tenure as its president.
Georgia has the largest chapter in the nation, and Miles has been an influential leader of an organization that, for many years, has underscored charitable support for the community, along with honoring outstanding football players and local citizens.
Miles grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, as the sixth of seven children, the “knee” baby —a term that reflects the fact that the baby of the family was always in the matriarch’s lap, and the next oldest was always at her knee.
While he experienced austerity in his life, Miles benefited from family togetherness and was influenced by the value of education. He was a responsible student, never disdaining homework, and always uplifted by learning opportunities.
He grew up in segregated Montgomery, constantly troubled emotionally by the state capital being labeled as the “Cradle of the Confederacy.” Alabama car tags even featured that slogan. However, Miles continually underscored positive principles, always too busy to hate.
There were two defining influences in his life: St. Jude, the parochial school Miles attended, where he learned to appreciate discipline and classroom responsibility, and his grandfather’s farm, 25 miles out in the country.
His grandparents also owned a grocery store in the community of Hayneville. While there were farm chores he was expected to assist with, there was the added treat of enjoying vegetable-oriented meals.
“My grandparents always had a vegetable garden with things like corn, peas, cantaloupe, and watermelon,” Miles recalled. “It was fun helping them cultivate and harvest in season. We enjoyed working in the garden because we knew how great mealtime would be.”
At St. Jude, Miles learned about discipline and played sports. He grew to be 6-feet tall and 200 pounds. There was speed and quickness in his makeup, too, and he was motivated to compete and improve.
He played on the St. Jude basketball team, which won the state AA title, providing his first taste of winning a championship. This feat would be surpassed by Georgia's 1980 national championship in football.
That was a high moment in his football life. Not just the ring, but the companionship and love that existed among team members, a diverse group that today remains irretrievably bonded — an ongoing mutual admiration society.
“We meet from time to time and are always keeping in touch with each other,” Miles said. “If someone needs an assist, we all work to see if we can provide whatever is needed.”
Growing up in a state with one of the biggest college football rivalries, Auburn and Alabama, Miles was drawn to the Auburn program during the heyday of Pat Sullivan and Terry Beasley. In Alabama, you can’t be neutral. You must declare allegiance to one or the other.
When it came time for him to make college plans, Miles aspired to compete on the college level but kept an open mind about where he would enroll. He knew he would likely have to walk on wherever he played. There weren't many college scouts hanging around his high school.
At that time, Calvin Jones, a high school coach in Atlanta, took a job with the Bulldog basketball program while also serving as a football recruiter. He had married into Miles’ family and told him, “You should take a look at the University of Georgia. There is a great opportunity there.”
All his older siblings, influenced by their father, David, who worked at a hospital at nearby Tuskegee University, had found a way to enroll in college. Miles was determined to make sure the family streak remained intact. He passed on the importance of competition and education to his sons Joshua (a minister), Caleb (manager of the Georgia Theatre), and Nathan (a lawyer).
Today, Miles’ voice remains active with Georgia athletes who are within reach of a degree. He reminds them of the value a degree will have in their lives and their future. He provides counseling and advice to Georgia athletes as an invaluable member of the athletic staff who is caring, selfless, and always lending a helping hand.