Von Miller

At 35 years old, Von Miller has this physical status:

Vonnie B'Vsean Miller Jr. (born March 26, 1989) is an American football outside linebacker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. (NFL).

Miller played college football at Texas A&M, where he was named the Most Outstanding College Linebacker in the United States and received consensus All-American honors and was given the Butkus Award as the best college linebacker in the country.

In the 2011 NFL Draft, he was drafted second overall by the Broncos.

He is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection who earned first-team All-Pro honors as a rookie and is regarded as one of the best defenders in the league.

Miller was named Super Bowl MVP by the Broncos after the Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

He appeared on season 22 of Dancing with the Stars following his Super Bowl victory.

Personal life

Miller was born in Dallas, Texas, to parents Von and Gloria Miller, and grew up in DeSoto, Texas. His parents, who were both active in high school and college, now own a power generation company. Vinsynzie "Vins," his younger brother. Miller, who majored in poultry science at Texas A&M, owns his own farm, raising chickens. In August 2013, Miller was arrested on a failure to appear warrant for driving-related charges. In September 2013, Miller was arrested in Arapahoe County, Colorado, for speeding and driving with a revoked license. Miller is accused of illegally landed and mistakenly captured and released a hammerhead shark while on a guided fishing tour off the coast of Florida in April 2018. Miller was diagnosed with COVID-19 in April 2020 and recovered from it by the following month.

"To provide low-income students with eye care and fashionable corrective eyewear they need to be their best in the classroom and in life," Miller wrote in 2012. The foundation has exclusively contracted with international eyewear store Etnia Barcelona to provide luxury eyewear as part of the charity's two-yearly "Vision Day" activities, in which students are also given eye examinations by local eyecare specialists.

The 'Vision Day' is a two-day program.' On the first day, students are given their eye exams and the opportunity to pick out their frames. Miller hosts a party where the students have their frames fitted and are able to communicate with him personally on the second day, after the prescription lenses are made for the frames. Vision of Von's Vision began hosting "Vision Days" for low-income students in the Denver Public Schools, when Miller was then a Denver Broncos player, and has since expanded to Texas A&M University, Miller's alma mater. Von's Vision Centers" in Texas and multiple locations in Colorado, as "mobile optometry kiosks that enable in-need students to receive vision care on an ongoing basis without the burden of transportation" - and "Von's Lockers," which are "mobile optometry kiosks that "include the Vision Centers," and "Von's Vision Centers" - which are "conveniently" ensure student access to eye care without having to worry about transportation. Students with current prescriptions can now buy a new pair of glasses, avoiding the screenings and exams."

The Broncos awarded him the Walter Payton Trophy for his charitable service and impact, as well as his leadership on the team and in the Denver area.

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High school career

Miller was born in Dallas on March 26, 1989. He attended DeSoto High School in DeSoto, Texas, where he competed for the DeSoto Eagles high school football team and ran track. He made 37 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and 12 quarterback hurries in his junior season. After completing 76 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 6 sacks, as a senior, he was named the District 8-5A Defensive MVP. Cyrus Gray, a future Aggie teammate, was a member of the Aggie team.

Miller competed in sporting events such as the 110m hurdles (PR of 14.38 s), triple jump (PR of 12.65 m), and javelin throw (PR of 37.24 m).

Miller, who was considered a four-star recruiter by Rivals.com, was ranked as the No. 1. In 2007, the country's lowest defensive end reached its 15th century. He preferred Texas A&M over Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech.

College career

Miller attended Texas A&M University, where he competed for the Texas A&M Aggies football team from 2007 to 2010. He was named Freshman All-Big 12 by The Sporting News in 2007, after making 22 tackles, including 10 solo stops, as a freshman at defensive end in 2007. He had two sacks, four tackles for injury, and a coerced fumble. He played in a 4-2-5 defense. During his freshman year, he weighed 220 pounds.

Mike Sherman, the newly hired head coach, was discouraged by Miller's habit of skipping class and failing to produce during practice in Spring 2008. Sherman has decided to suspend Miller for the foreseeable future. Miller considered moving, but decided against it at his father's request. Miller then took a more serious approach.

Miller played as a sophomore under Joe Kines's 4–3 defense. He appeared in all 12 games, including 25 solo stops, and led the team with 3.5 sacks. He made 7.5 tackles for loss, caused two fumbles, and recovered two more. His job was more restricted to pass reporting rather than rushing the quarterback, so he wasn't able to demonstrate his pass-rushing skills. He had only eight tackles in the last seven Big 12 games.

Miller assumed the role of the jack in 2009, a defensive end/linebacker hybrid, allowing him to utilize his pass rushing abilities. He had a breakout season with the Aggies, leading the country in sacks with 17 and ranked fourth in the country with 21 tackles for loss. Von Miller was named first team All Big-12 at defensive end and named first team All-American by Sporting News and Sports Illustrated for his efforts, and he was named a first-team All-American. He was the first Aggie to be named as a first team All-American since Jason Webster in 1999. Joe Kines, then-Aggies' defensive coordinator, likened Miller to the late Derrick Thomas. Miller then spent time and watched Thomas' film to familiarize himself with the game.

Miller went from playing as a senior in 2010 to a 3–4 outside linebacker under Tim DeRuyter's defense. Miller was forced to miss the first six games due to a high ankle sprain early in the season. For loss, he had 10.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles. He earned the Butkus Award as the country's top linebacker once more, earning first-team All-Big 12 recognition and earning the Butkus Award. He was also selected as a consensus first-team All-American. Walter Camp, Scout.com, Pro Football Weekly, ESPN.com, and the Associated Press named him first team All-American honors. Miller obtained a bachelor's degree in poultry science and raised chickens in his spare time.

Professional career

If Miller did not pass on his senior season, he was expected to be a second round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He was rated as one of the top 3–4 outside linebackers available by NFL draft analysts and scouts in 2011 and was forecast to be a top-five draft pick. Miller was the Defensive MVP at the 2011 Senior Bowl. Miller finished second in the 40-yard dash, 3rd in the vertical jump, 1st in the T-1st, and 1st in the 60-yard shuttle, among linebackers at the 2011 NFL Combine, and 1st in the 60-yard shuttle, 3rd. His 11.15-second 60-yard shuttle set a new combine linebacker record. Miller made a 4.49-yard dash at the Texas A&M Pro Day in March 2011.

Miller was selected to represent top-flight rookies in the NFL Labor Union in March 2011. Former NFL running back LaDainian Tomlinson had advised him not to participate in the lawsuit. One scout compared him to Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas, while Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer likened him to Cardinals linebacker Joey Porter during the Texas A&M Pro Day. Miller reminded him of a smaller version of DeMarcus Ware, according to NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock, who rated him as the second best player in the draft. Miller's then-personal trainer, Dan Brandenburg, who also worked with first-round picks Clay Matthews III and Sean Weatherspoon, said Miller is the best of all three.

Miller was drafted second overall by the Denver Broncos in the 2011 NFL Draft. Since LaVar Arrington went No. 1, he was the most highly ranked linebacker since LaVar Arrington went No. 1. In 2000, the Washington Redskins defeated the 2nd time. Quentin Coryatt, the Aggies' top draft pick since 1992, was also voted second overall. Certain analysts were taken aback by Miller's pick. Denver went from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 defense, a defense that seemed counter-intuitive to Miller's strengths. Miller, according to former Broncos quarterback John Elway, who also serves as the franchise's executive vice president, is "a type of guy who appears around every ten years." Miller signed his rookie deal on July 28, 2011. He wore No. 5 on his head. Derrick Thomas, a former member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was honoured at 58.

Miller sparked a fumble against the Oakland Raiders on September 12, 2011, his first career play from scrimmage. Andy Dalton was fired by the Broncos on September 18, 2011.

Miller was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his Week 11 appearance against the New York Jets. In the Wild Card Round, the Broncos made the playoffs and met the Pittsburgh Steelers. Miller had three solo tackles and one quarterback hit in the 29-23 overtime victory in his playoff debut. In the Divisional Round against the New England Patriots, he had two quarterback hits.

Miller was drafted into the 2012 Pro Bowl and named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. In 907 snaps, he had 11.5 sacks, 19 quarterback hits, and 29 quarterback hurries. During the season, he was fined three times. On the NFL Top 100 Players of 2012. He was ranked 52nd by his peers.

Miller got off to a good start in his second season, with ten sacks in nine games. He had 30 quarterback hurries in this period, more than during his entire 2011 campaign. He was voted MVP candidate after this spectacular start. In Week 10, he was fined $21,000 for a hit on Carolina Panther quarterback Cam Newton. After racking three sacks and two forced fumbles against the San Diego Chargers the following week, he earned his second AFC Defensive Player of the Week award. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for his efforts during the month of November. He was named the starting Outside Linebacker in the AFC division for the 2013 Pro Bowl on December 26, 2012. Miller ended the season with eighteen and a half sacks, breaking a Denver Broncos record of seventeen previously held by Elvis Dumervil. He also ranked second in voting for Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-Pro in 2012. In the 38-35 2OT loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Miller had nine total tackles and two quarterback hits in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

Miller created his own sack celebration dance based on the video game "The Hip Hop Dance Experience" in 2012. Every time he performed the dance at a game, Ubisoft made a charitable donation to Von's Vision, a charity dedicated to offering eye care and glasses to homeless children. He was ranked 9th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013.

Miller had been suspended four games for breaching league rules, according to ESPN, pending appeal. He did "nothing wrong" on Twitter. He lost the appeal and was suspended for six games in August 2013. Since the NFL discovered that he was attempting to cheat a drug test, the six-game suspension was a result. On October 20, 2013, the Broncos took on the Indianapolis Colts, making him eligible to play. In a loss to the New England Patriots on November 24, he recovered a Stevan Ridley fumble and hurled it 60 yards for a touchdown. It was his second touchdown of his career. On his return to action, he did a good job, but his season was prematurely ended when he tore his ACL against the Houston Texans on December 22, 2013. Without Miller, the Broncos reached Super Bowl XLVIII, but they lost 43–8 to the Seattle Seahawks. He was ranked 76th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014.

Miller returned to the Broncos for his fourth season after recovering from his ACL injury. For October, Miller was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month. He had 14 sacks, 59 tackles, and a forced fumble. In the 24–13 loss, he had six total tackles and one quarterback hit in the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Indianapolis Colts. He earned his Pro Bowl nomination for his 2014 season. On the NFL Top 100 Players of 2015, he was ranked 33rd by his fellow participants.

Miller became the third fastest player in NFL history to reach 50 sacks in a career (58 games) on September 17, 2015. Reggie White (40 games) and Derrick Thomas (54), the only ones to get there faster than him, were Derrick Thomas (54). Miller finished with 11 sacks, 35 total tackles, 32 quarterback hits, one pass defense, and four forced fumbles in the 2015 season.

In the Divisional Round against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he had two total tackles, leading to the 23-16 triumph. Miller sacked Tom Brady 2.5 times during the AFC Championship against the New England Patriots, breaking a Broncos single-game playoff record and also having an interception in the second quarter of the game.

The Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers, who dominated Super Bowl 50, defeating the heavily favored Carolina Panthers who dominated the top-ranked offense, 24–10. Miller knocked the ball out of Panther quarterback Cam Newton's hands while sacking him, giving the team a 10–0 lead in the first quarter. This was the first fumble return touchdown in a Super Bowl since Super Bowl XXVIII. Miller caused a second fumble from Newton to end the Panthers' potential game-winning drive, with 4:51 remaining in regulation and the Broncos leading 16–10. Miller had six tackles, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two player fumbles, and two quarterback hurries, and was named Super Bowl MVP for his effort.

Miller was named to his fourth Pro Bowl, earned his second All-Pro All-Pro and ranked 15th by his fellow NFLers in 2016.

Miller's exclusive franchise tag was unveiled by the Broncos on March 1, 2016. Miller signed a six-year contract with the Broncos that includes $70 million guaranteed. He became the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, with the most significant amount of guaranteed income.

For Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts, Miller earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week. For September, he was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month. Miller had 13.5 sacks and 24 quarterback hits during the 2016 regular season. Miller did not record a sack in the last four games of the season, the longest streak in his career. He was ranked second by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017 as the top defensive player in his fourth career and third straight Pro Bowl, as well as his third First-Team All-Pro, and his third Pro Bowl appearance.

Miller was named to his sixth Pro Bowl on December 19, 2017. Miller was named as the 2018 Pro Bowl defensive MVP. He had his fourth straight season with at least ten sacks in the 2017 season. He was ranked ninth by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.

Miller had three sacks and seven total tackles in the Broncos' 2018 season opener against the Seattle Seahawks. Miller intercepted Philip Rivers and recovered it 42 yards to score a touchdown, sparking a 23-22 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, earning him AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Miller earned his 100th career termination (including postseason sacks), becoming the 5th fastest player in NFL history to do so during the 2018 season. He was also selected to the 2019 Pro Bowl as a starting linebacker, his seventh season and fifth in a row. He was ranked 10th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.

In Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miller fired Gardner Minshew twice, resulting in a 26-24 loss. Miller's second dismissal of the game was the 100th sack of his career.

He was also selected to the 2020 Pro Bowl as a starting outside linebacker, marking his eighth appearance and sixth consecutive Pro Bowl. On the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020, he ranked 26th among his fellow athletes. For the 2010s, he was accepted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team.

Miller sustained what was described as a "freak injury near the ankle," during practice on September 8, 2020, and it was feared that season-ending surgery was required. Miller was then put on injured reserve after an MRI the next day revealed that the injury was a dislocated peroneal tendon.

In March 2021, the Broncos exercised the 2021-year option in Miller's deal. In 2021, his deal, which was in its last year, guarantees $7 million in base pay.

In six games, Miller had 4.5 sacks and 17 tackles. Miller was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for September. On October 21, 2021, he strained his ankle against the Cleveland Browns, marking his last game as a Bronco.

On November 1, 2021, Miller was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a second and third-round draft pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Miller was the longest-tenured Bronco and the only remaining non-special teams player from Denver's Super Bowl 50 roster at the time of the trade, and he was the first-tenured Bronco. Miller fought tears in an emotional interview after his trade, saying, "I love Broncos Country." I meant 'Broncos for life.' Miller wore number 40 for the Rams, his number at Texas A&M, with the familial blessing of Rams legend Elroy Hirsch since his number 58 was stolen by Justin Hollins.

In a 31–10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10, Miller made his Rams debut and tallied three tackles in his debut in Week 10. Miller was fired in Week 15, after losing 20-10 at home against Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. In a 30–23 road victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16, Miller fired Kirk Cousins. Miller had his best game as a Ram in Week 17, scoring two sacks and five tackles, with the game-sealing sack of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley in the 20-19 victory. Miller finished with 50 tackles, 9.7 sacks, one pass denied, one pass blocked, and one fumble in 15 games played in the 2021 season. Miller was able to help the Rams win Super Bowl LVI 23-20 over the Cincinnati Bengals. In the game, Miller had two sacks. Due to his multi-sack success, he became only the second player to play multiple Super Bowl games with multiple sacks. The other is Justin Tuck of the New York Giants. Despite playing in three fewer Super Bowls than Haley, he tied Charles Haley's record for most consecutive Super Bowl sacks at 4.5 sacks. On the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022, he ranked 93rd by his peers.

Miller signed with the Buffalo Bills on a six-year, $120 million contract on March 16, 2022. In a 31–10 Bills win over his former team, the Los Angeles Rams, he had two sacks, two QB hits, and three tackles for loss.

NFL career statistics

Miller has five Broncos franchise records for sacks as a result of his departure from the team in 2021.

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