Dontae McMillan spent his childhood in the same city as its NFL franchise, yet the team’s presence felt distant, almost symbolic, rather than personal.
His early years unfolded in West Seattle, where he navigated both personal and academic challenges without immediate guidance from his biological parents. Born with health complications at birth, linked to his mother’s reported substance use. McMillan and his twin, Jalanie, faced a reduced life expectancy. Their father, Donnie McMillan Sr., was incarcerated shortly before their 2001 arrival and remained away until the boys turned 13.
Both twins encountered learning disabilities that made progression through school demanding. “I’m always going to be uncomfortable,” McMillan reflected Thursday, “and never comfortable.”
Their grandmother, Vera McMillan-Jimerson, became their primary caregiver and formally adopted them in 2009 when they were eight. McMillan described her as his first love and foundational influence, instilling discipline, resilience, and faith. “She taught me to be the man I am today, a God-fearing man,” he said.
His introduction to football came at age six with the Southwest Athletic Center Cougars, where he and his brother played side by side. Later, they spent countless hours at the nearby Southwest Teen Life Center while attending Chief Sealth International High School, overcoming academic hurdles through consistent effort and support.
As a senior, McMillan, slightly larger than his twin, rushed for 2,019 yards and scored 44 touchdowns for Chief Sealth. Though Oregon had extended an offer, he ultimately chose Weber State for college, where he first felt a strong sense of belonging. In 2023, he transferred to Eastern Michigan, joining coach Chris Creighton’s program. There, he topped 1,000 yards in his final collegiate season.
Despite his production, no NFL club selected him in the draft, a pattern he’s grown accustomed to. The Baltimore Ravens signed him as an undrafted free agent, keeping him through training camp before releasing him during final roster cuts.
Then, unexpectedly, Seattle reached out. With the Seahawks’ backfield in flux. Jadarian Price, their newly named starting running back, landed on injured reserve; Zach Charbonnet remained on the physically unable to perform list after knee surgery; and George Holani dealt with rib soreness. McMillan received a call this week. He joined the practice squad on Tuesday.
Standing in the Seahawks’ locker room ahead of his second practice, McMillan spoke with quiet pride. “It’s an honor to be here representing my home, my home team, and my community,” he said, “my last name, McMillan.”
Reaching the League
The prospect of competing at the professional level still feels surreal to the athlete, who notes that the entire journey has unfolded with remarkable speed. He describes the reality of being on a roster as difficult to process, stating that the situation remains mind-blowing. Local players in the NFL played a significant role in guiding his path.
One individual, in particular, made him feel as though he had found a family at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. That person is Rashid Shaheed.
The Seahawks wide receiver and kick returner, who carries a $51 million contract, was entering his junior season at Weber State when the athlete arrived from West Seattle as a freshman in the summer of 2019.
The athlete refers to Shaheed as a close friend and a big brother, noting that he looked up to him significantly. He redshirted during his initial year.
Shaheed commented on Thursday that he is proud of the player, noting that he tried to guide him early on regarding preparation and readiness for major moments. Shaheed added that the player learned quickly, performed well at Weber State, and throughout his career, which led to him earning a spot on the current team.
Following his release from the Ravens on August 30, he spent time training with Myles Gaskin. The former University of Washington and O'Dea High School star, who has played in the NFL for Miami, Minnesota, the Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville, and briefly with Seattle, joined the Seahawks practice squad last October. The two trained throughout September at Ford Sports Performance in Tukwila and at the nearby Starfire Athletic Complex.
The athlete stated that his daily routine consisted solely of training, waking at 6 a.m. to work with Gaskin. He emphasized that their focus was entirely on improvement and readiness for a call from a team.
That call arrived this week from his hometown franchise. On Sunday, he will be on the sidelines when the Seahawks (3-1) host the San Francisco 49ers (4-0) in an early NFC West contest at Lumen Field. The location is across the West Seattle Bridge from where Vera Jimerson raised him and his twin brother.
His twin brother, Jalanie, resides in Seattle and has his own young family, while working a union job to provide for his life.
If he successfully learns the playbook of offensive coordinator Brian Flores and adapts to coach Mike Macdonald's culture, the athlete has an opportunity to contribute for the defending champions at a position of need.
His grandmother, who passed away in 2022 at age 60 from liver cancer, will be watching proudly. He noted that the condition was not detected for a couple of years. He described her passing as a heartbreak but stated that she knew he was destined to be in the NFL and successful. He intends to make her proud every day.