VIDEO: Matt Millen\'s Christmas miracle

Radar and much more.

>>>rob vaughn: this christmas is extra special for sports broadcaster matt millen and his family.

Millen... as many of you know... is a lehigh valley native?

He's been sick for a while.... and today he got a second chance at life through a heart transplant.

Wfmz's julia rose caught up with millen's son for an update on the successful surgery.

>>reporter: on this holiday filled with gif?giving...former nfl linebacker and team executive matt millen got the greatest gift of all...life.

>>matthew millen: "we've been waiting and we're just very thankful that it finally came."

>>reporter: after three long months in the hospital?the whitehall and penn state grad got a heart transplant this morning.

Millen's son?

Matthew h.

Millen?

Calls it a christmas miracle but one that comes with mixed emotions knowing someone lost his life to give his father another shot at it.

>>matthew millen: "that person's passing has given my dad life and so very fitting when we're celebrating the birth of jesus."

>>reporter: millen is 60 years old.

He was diagnosed a few years ago with a rare disease called amyloidoisis ... which attacked the lining of his heart.

Millen's son says it's been a tough battle but his dad can take a hit.

He won four super bowls during his 12 year career in the nf?

And off the field he beat his disease...coming out of surgery like a pro.

>>matthew millen: "the doctors reported that it was a wild success."*butted wit* "he feels good and the doctor said the heart is pumping and doing everything it's supposed to."

>>reporter: millen's son is the pastor at cornerstone church in easton.

As he led the christmas eve service tonight?

He had his father and a stranger's loved ones in his prayers.

>>matthew millen: "we feel so bad for the other family but at the same time we're just thankful."

>>reporter: ...thankful that his dad now has a new heart...and grateful for everyone in the lehigh valley and beyond who kept his father's recovery in their hearts...and prayers.

>>matthew millen: "it's been a tremendous snowing and we're just so overwhelmed by the love and outpouring of prayers and well wishing."

>>reporter: julia rose, 69 news.

>>>rob