James Willard McMillen was an American professional football player who was a guard for five seasons with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He was born in Grayslake, Illinois. He attended the University of Illinois where he played football, wrestled, and was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity. He was a consensus All-American in 1923, All-Big Ten in 1922 and 1923, as well as team captain. As a member of Illinois' wrestling team, he only lost one match in three years.