“Miller time.”

That was the nickname that Keith Miller III wanted to be known by.

However, his teammates, including Christian Gonzalez, joked about it and preferred not to use it.

“We all ended up using it anyway,” says Gonzalez, the second-year cornerback for the New England Patriots, “because honestly, it was a cool nickname.”

Miller had a magnetic personality. Gonzalez recalls him being the loudest in the room, always smiling and making jokes.

“He was one of those people everyone adored,” Gonzalez shared with YSL News Sports.

This bond between two former high school teammates from Texas is immortalized on a pair of cleats Gonzalez is wearing as the Patriots play against the Indianapolis Colts.

“We had this little jumping celebration, kind of like shooting a basketball,” Gonzalez reminisces. “It’s one of my favorite photos of us.”

Gonzalez is taking part in the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” initiative during Weeks 13 and 14, along with over 1,400 current and former players and coaches, to highlight important issues and organizations.

Gonzalez chose to represent mental health awareness, a significant issue highlighted as a “national state of emergency” by the American Academy of Pediatrics concerning children and teenagers.

The issue hit home for Gonzalez last spring when Miller passed away after battling mental health challenges.

“As a friend, you always want to keep in touch, so when something happens, you think, ‘I should have done more,’” Gonzalez reflects. “But ultimately, you did what you could.”

In response, he is now involved with KyleCares, which supports high school and college students in New England by fostering “non-judgmental” and “empathetic” environments to improve mental health.

Gonzalez has personally met with students and is working to amplify the organization’s mission alongside its founders, Sue and Jim Johnson, who tragically lost their son Kyle to suicide in 2018.

In a conversation with YSL News Sports, Gonzalez shared insights on how young athletes can prioritize their mental health and confidently seek help.

Embracing Healthy Competition While Being Supportive Teammates

Gonzalez’s father, Hector, played basketball at Texas-El Paso in the early 1990s and later had a semi-professional career in Colombia.

While he was tough on his children, Gonzalez feels his father was supportive and encouraging.

“He motivated us and pushed us,” says Gonzalez. “He just wanted us to excel, whatever our choice was.”

Both he and his mother, Temple, who hails from Dallas, made sure not to impose any specific sport on their kids. Gonzalez’s sisters, Melissa and Samantha, opted for track and field and became collegiate all-Americans at Division 1 schools (Melissa at Texas, Samantha at Miami).

“I learned a lot from them, despite playing different sports,” Gonzalez notes. “Ultimately, the competitiveness was always there, no matter what we did. Even playing cards turned into a competitive event. It’s just how our family operates, and you can see it in my younger sister, Lily, who is just 12 and in seventh grade. When I’m back home, she’s just as competitive as the rest of us and is eager to win.”

What also gave him an edge was the family’s understanding of when to provide support and encouragement, a dynamic that mirrored his relationship with Miller.

Gonzalez and Miller have known each other since playing Little League football from ages seven to twelve, which helped deepen their friendship.

They maintained their connection through middle school and high school until Gonzalez transferred to The Colony (Texas) High, where they became teammates.

“We were inseparable and always had each other laughing,” he recalls.

From their painful experience, he learned the importance of checking in on friends.

“It’s much easier said than done for someone to reach out if they’re not feeling great,” he admits. “But I believe it starts with simply talking to someone—just asking a peer in high school or middle school how they’re doing and genuinely caring about the answer, not just asking as a formality.”

“Open a dialogue because you never know what someone is facing or what thoughts they might have. That interaction could be crucial for them.”

“OK, I can talk with this individual. I can count on them. They will support me whenever I need help.” Such a simple thought can have a significant impact.”

Breaking the stigma around mental health is possible

Young people today encounter unique pressures to excel. Whether they succeed or struggle, constant reminders come from social media likes, posts, and shares.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control’s latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey from 2013 to 2023 reveals alarming figures: 40% of high school students felt a persistent sense of sadness or hopelessness almost every day for two weeks, leading them to withdraw from their usual activities.

During a May event at North Attleboro High School in Massachusetts, titled “Be Kind to Your Mind” for Mental Health Awareness Month, Gonzalez recognized that open discussions about emotions could empower students.

“There is definitely still a stigma in high schools,” Gonzalez notes. “I hope events like this inspire other high school and middle school students to speak about their feelings.”

He also had a conversation that day with Jim Johnson, father of Kyle, who shared his motivation for starting a foundation focused on mental health.

According to KyleCares, suicide ranks as the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 24 in the United States.

The Johnson family states on their website that they feel “a strong responsibility to share Kyle’s story truthfully. … He urged those battling mental illness to seek support, persevere through their struggles, and never feel ashamed to admit they need help.”

Remember, you are never alone

At 22, Gonzalez admits he didn’t give much thought to mental health in his youth. However, when he was a high school senior, he went on spring break and never returned, with COVID-19 taking away his senior year activities.

“It wasn’t until college that I began to consider it; being on my own made me reflect more,” he shares. “Balancing college athletics, away from home, and the associated pressures made me focus on my mental health.”

The pandemic canceled his freshman year season at Colorado, and for the first time since he was five, he found himself not playing football.

With ample time on his hands, he sought to comprehend his feelings, supported by discussions with his parents and sisters.

“I value family immensely, and I know not everyone has that support system,” he acknowledges. “I am fortunate that my parents are together, and I have two older sisters and a younger sister. They provide me with a strong support network.”

The NFL ensures access to a mental health professional at team facilities for 8-12 hours weekly. Additionally, Gonzalez has learned the importance of connecting with teammates.

“Since we work together daily, we build strong bonds. There are many older players who have experienced more in life; reaching out to them is immensely beneficial whenever needed,” he explains.

If you’re feeling mentally overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out to your family or teammates. Counselors at your school or family therapists are also available resources.

One of KyleCares’ aims, as well as Gonzalez’s, is to ensure you feel comfortable seeking help “without any shame or hesitation.”

“It’s incredible to see how, in just a year, professional sports and college athletes are starting to prioritize mental health and openly discuss it,” he remarks.

Make time for yourself: Engage in a stress-reducing activity beyond your sport

It’s crucial to surround yourself with positive influences — those who care for you as much as you care for yourself, says Gonzalez, which can also be instrumental in an athlete’s success.

Equally important is allocating personal time. Having played football from a young age, Gonzalez made it a point to spend time with his family and pursue hobbies unrelated to sports — ideally, a couple of hours every day.

“If you dedicate every moment to your sport, burnout becomes inevitable,” he cautions. “Achieving a balance between work and personal life is essential.”

This is a message Dr. Jennifer King, Pediatric Sports Medicine Section Chief at Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women and Children in Honolulu, shares with her patients.

“There is always a risk of injury,” she explains to YSL News Sports. “What happens when they can’t participate in their sport? If they’re not prepared with a stress relief strategy, it could worsen their stress levels rather than alleviate them. I encourage practicing relaxation techniques regularly, even if just for a few minutes a day, so they’ll be ready to use them when stress arises.”

“Experiencing some anxiety is normal for everyone,” she adds.

Gonzalez mentioned that various leisure activities, like playing video games or watching movies, can also provide relaxation.

Relaxation techniques can include various approaches like using meditation apps such as Calm or Headspace, along with music and reading materials.

“Discovering what brings you tranquility can significantly aid someone in reaching their fullest potential,” Gonzalez says.

In 2023, Gonzalez was selected as a first-round draft pick after transferring from Colorado to Oregon, where he played alongside Miller for two seasons. His Sunday cleats are adorned with images from their high school days and a memorable celebration they shared.

Additionally, they feature the phrases “Kyle Cares” and “Mental Health Matters.”

“There’s a growing conversation around mental health, but there’s still so much more that can be done to increase awareness,” Gonzalez states.

One way to honor his late friend is through his memory, highlighted on one side of the cleat, alongside a message that captures the essence of the friendship: “Miller Time 4L.”

What does it signify?

“Miller Time for life,” González explains.