Two for one special

Bethany Miller-Smith has a cool role as a parent that ranges from sports mom to band mom, depending on what day it is.
However, Miller-Smith will be both during next Saturday’s State Farm Bayou Classic in New Orleans. Miller-Smith and her husband David will watch their son Jordan, a sophomore defensive lineman at Southern, take the field for the Jaguars and their oldest son, David James, take to the stage with his band Ndelivle.
“I think it’s sweet that we’re going to get to watch Jordan and David James at the same time,” Miller-Smith said. “Jordan is just starting out, but he’s doing very well. He has a lot of potential. They’re both doing big things and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Talented may be an under-statement when describing the Miller family.
In Southern’s last outing, a 15-0 shutout of Alabama State, Jordan had a sack and one quarterback hurry. Because of his performance down the stretch, he could potentially see more playing time against Grambling State.
On the season, Jordan has four tackles (three for loss) and three sacks.
David James on the other hand, graduated with a degree in music and has been playing with Ndelivle for two years. Ndelivle has since traveled throughout the Washington, D.C. area performing.
But it doesn’t stop there. Miller-Smith’s youngest son Jonathan, has blossomed into a Division I basketball prospect in his senior year at Patterson School (Lenoir, N.C.).
“It’s wonderful seeing my kids grow and be successful,” Miller-Smith said. “They’re all very talented.”
And similar to the Bayou Classic’s rich ties to Louisiana, the Miller family has strong ties to SU.
Bethany grew up in Southern Heights, a community just over the Harding Boulevard overpass and graduated from SU. Her parents and grandparents also attended SU. So did her husband.
So, how did all this come together?
The secret lies with Miller-Smith. But one thing is for sure, it will certainly be a memorable Bayou Classic for the Miller family this year.
“Our family is blessed to be so different at what we do, to have an opportunity to put something together like this,” Jordan said. “I’ve never heard of anything else like that.”
Saturday will also be the first time David James sees Jordan play college football.
“It’s going to be really cool, I feel like I have to elevate my play because I have to show up for my bro,” Jordan said. “We’re always in competition.”
Added David James, “All three of us kind of have this mentality to work hard to achieve our dreams. We kind of push each other to keep working hard.”
Their efforts in pushing each other have definitely paid off because David James is no slouch either.
Not only does he play neo-soul, rock, rap and varies other genres with Ndelivle, but David James is also a songwriter. He also sings and plays guitar.
So how versatile is Ndelivle?
“It’s not your typical music, I guess you could say,” David James said. “But it’s pretty cool.”