A Former US National Team Coach Was Almost Eaten By A Gator

US Soccer almost lost a bit of history last week, as Al Miller, who coached several NASL clubs and was briefly in charge of the USMNT, was attacked by an alligator while playing and nearly killed.

The 75-year-old Miller, who had an eye for talent as a soccer coach, drafting Bob Rigby, Chris Bahr, Glen Myernick, and Bobby Smith, was playing in a golf tournament with a friend when he went to retrieve a stray ball from near a pond. And then a 9-foot alligator grabbed him.

He lifted me up three feet and slammed me down. It was excruciating to say the least.

He just filleted me. You could see into the bone.

He let me go. I was three feet from my life. He had me submerged up to my belt buckle. That was my miracle of the month.

Miracle of the month? Having a giant gator grab you, slam you, nearly sever your leg, and then let you go seems more like “once in a lifetime” luck to us, but maybe Al Miller is just way more badass than we will ever be.

We wish Al a speedy recovery.

Full Story: The Ledger