All-Delco Football: From ‘Tubby’ to talk of the town, Mills made history at Ridley

RIDLEY TWP. — Tahir Mills recently exposed the truth about his popular nickname.

“I used to eat a lot as a kid,” the Ridley senior said. “And my favorite show was the Teletubbies. People just started calling me ‘Tubby.’ After a while, I was a chubby kid and I just went with it.

“At first I was angry about it, but then it grew on me.”

That’s the name his teammates and coaches know him by. One of his best friends on the team, quarterback John Heller, was asked at one point this season to talk about Mills’s excellent game, one of many from the star running back. Heller faltered: “Who? Oh, you mean Tubby?”

“I guess Tubby is easier to say, too,” Mills said.

Fans of Ridley football cheered his name throughout the Green Raiders’ 13-2 journey this fall. Mills had one of the greatest seasons in Ridley history. He became Delaware County’s single-season rushing champion with 2,519 yards and 31 touchdowns. His 36 total touchdowns were one off of tying the county record.

Little kids flocked to him after games for autographs, some even asking their parents to make sure Santa gets them a No. 4 Ridley jersey for Christmas.

His impact on the field and on the youth of Ridley Township, many of whom will now aspire to be the next Tahir “Tubby” Mills, makes him the 2021 Daily Times Player of the Year.

Joining Mills on the All-Delco offensive team are quarterback John Heller (Ridley); running backs Mason Peterson (Bonner-Prendergast) and Shane Reynolds (Garnet Valley); receivers Sean Gallagher (Garnet Valley) and Robby Longo (Springfield); and linemen Nick Bozzetto (Bonner-Prendergast), Sam DiTrolio (Garnet Valley), Isaiah Boyd (Haverford School), Hayden Brown (Ridley) and Ethan Barrar (Strath Haven).

Defensive All-Delco honors go to linemen Ibrahim Sanogo (Academy Park), Nolan Brennan (Garnet Valley) and Julien Laventure; linebackers Noble Thompson (Chester), Joey Halloran (Garnet Valley), Damian Falcone (Radnor) and Chase Barlow (Strath Haven); and defensive backs Eric Willis (Academy Park), Staring Reaves (Chichester), C.J. Wood (Garnet Valley) and Matt Shuler (Strath Haven).

Charlie Box (Marple Newtown) and Max Busenkell (Garnet Valley) were selected for their all-purpose abilities. Ridley’s Nick Volpone is the kicker/specialist.

The All-Delco team is selected after consultation with local coaches.

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