Photo Credit: Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports
After his explosive performance against the Carolina Panthers led to him being named MVP of Super Bowl 50, Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller has become a household name. Here are a few things you may not know about him.
- COLLEGE Miller attended Texas A&M over offers from Texas Tech, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Florida. In 2008, new coach Mike Sherman suspended Miller for skipping class and performing poorly in practice. Miller almost transferred, but his father convinced him to stay and he got his act together. While at A&M, he won the Butkus award in 2012 for the nation’s best linebacker.
- CHICKEN FARMER He majored in poultry science at Texas A&M University and started raising chickens in 2013. In an interview with USA Today, he said he has a chicken coop with 40-50 chickens in his backyard and even has chicken tattoos. His plans after the NFL include expanding his chicken farm.
- PRO-BOWL Since being drafted second overall in 2011 by the Denver Broncos, Miller has been selected to the Pro-Bowl four out of the five seasons he has played in the NFL. In his rookie season in 2011 and again in 2014, he made the second-team All-Pro and he made first-team All-Pro in 2012 and 2015.
- LEGAL TROUBLES In 2011, Miller tested positive for marijuana and an amphetamine, so he was added to the NFL’s substance abuse program. In 2013, he was suspended for six games after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He was arrested in August 2013 after he failed to appear in court for a traffic violation. Later, he had a similar issue in California and was given citations in Colorado for driving with a suspended license and speeding. His parents were so worried about him that they moved into his house to help him get his life straight and he has stayed out of trouble since.
- SUPER BOWL Miller missed out on playing in the Super Bowl with the Broncos in 2014 because of a knee injury. His first Super Bowl performance led to him being named Super Bowl MVP, one of only three linebackers to be awarded that title; the other two are the Baltimore Ravens’ Ray Lewis and the Dallas Cowboys’ Chuck Howley. He racked up 2.5 sacks, six tackles and two forced fumbles that lead to touchdowns in the 24-10 win over the Panthers.
- FASHION Miller has garnered attention for his interesting sense of style, ranging from cowboy hats and boots to a giant fox hat, to socks featuring the likenesses of Tupac and Deion Sanders.
