SAN JOSE — A San Jose State football player is expected to survive after being stabbed in an altercation late Saturday or early Sunday in downtown San Jose, according to university officials.
SJSU officials identified the victim as Chad Miller, who started three games at safety for the Spartans last season. University staff were at Valley Medical Center on Sunday evening, waiting to hear more news but said doctors have indicated Miller’s prognosis looks good.
“He is hospitalized and is expected to recover,” reads the university statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Chad and his family for his prompt recovery.”
While some teammates were at the hospital earlier Sunday, they had departed by early evening. Miller’s family has asked for privacy and is declining interview requests.
A San Jose police officer was flagged down Sunday at about 1 a.m. and told a person had been stabbed near Post and South First streets, according to Sgt. Enrique Garcia. Police did not identify Miller as the victim in the stabbing, per department policy.
Police have not identified any suspects and did not provide any information about the altercation or stabbing.
Miller has played four seasons with the Spartans, according to his online bio. He is a communications studies major originally from Reno, who played football at Bethel High School in Vallejo, where he also lettered in track and field.
Miller did not play in his second season with the Spartans. He had been involved in an incident on campus with a teammate, defensive back Bomani Bassette-Hairston, who was booted from the team.University police went to the Joe West Hall dormitory in July 2015 after learning of an altercation there that sent Miller, then a redshirt freshman, to the hospital with broken bones in his face.
Bassette-Hairston, who hailed from Oakland’s McClymonds High, was alleged to have hit Miller in the face with a skateboard following a disagreement that happened at practice earlier that day.
According to his bio, Miller played in all 12 games of the 2016 season.
San Jose police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact their assaults unit at 408-277-4161. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867.