Von Miller has fought through adversity to get to his first Super Bowl

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller has overcome a lot in his first five years in the league.

The Texas A&M product was selected second overall by the Broncos in the 2011 draft, an almost unheard of slot to be taken for a player playing the linebacker position.

“I just wanted to come in and be the best Von Miller I could possibly be,” Miller said today. “When I was a rookie, I had dreams and aspirations of coming in and doing great stuff. But what got me through everything was just keeping my head down, just focusing on what I needed to do. I just focused in (with) my teammates.”

After being selected, Miller went on to have two very successful seasons in the league to start off his career.

In his rookie year he was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl starter after tying the franchise sack record with 11.5.

He followed it up with another Pro Bowl season in 2012, finishing the year with an incredible 18.5 sacks en route to a runner up for the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Miller was on top of the world as he developed into one of the best defensive players in all of football.

His third year brought with it great adversity though, as the rising star had to have a growing up moment and even get a test as to whether he wanted to continue playing the game.

Miller was suspended for the first six games of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

To make matters worse, he struggled in his return, registering just five sacks through nine games.

And then he was hit with an ever-bigger blow.

On December 22, 2013 Miller tore his ACL in a late season win over the Seattle Seahawks, ending his season.

He then had to watch from the sidelines as the Broncos went on a Super Bowl run without him.

“I still didn’t fully get it until I got hurt that I’m in a situation that’s tough, extremely tough and only me,” Miller said. “When you’re hurt, somebody is not going to come in and make you rehab. You do all that stuff on your own. So it was all coming from within. Of course, my teammates motivated me and pushed me, but it was all coming from within, and I had to do it personally.”

He came back in 2014 with a vengeance.

Miller was named to his third Pro Bowl, finishing the year with 14 sacks and becoming one of six players in team history to make at least three Pro Bowls during his first four years in the league.

He hasn’t looked back since.

“Every guy that’s up here has had to deal with adversity and had second thoughts like, ‘Man, do I really want to do this?’ But those were the times where I really – those were my strongest times, when I questioned myself and questioned (whether) I really want to play the game,” Miller said. “Those were my finest hours getting back right and grinding and getting back with my teammates and becoming the Von I am today.”

A key to the comeback has been the support he has had from home, especially that from his mother.

“My mom and dad, they’re probably the most supportive parents in the world,” Miller said. “My mom, she has never missed a game – football, basketball, PTA (meetings), anything. They’re extremely supportive when I was going through that time [in 2013].”

“It’s great,” Miller added. “I know that somebody is going to be watching (the game). I talk to guys, (and) they have very supportive parents, too, but I know for a fact that my mom, she’s going to be there before the game starts in her seats. I’m going to see her every time. She’s my biggest fan. She’s going to be there every time no matter what,”

“I remember playing little league football, (and) she would come out there, and I would tell her, ‘This is tough.’ (She said,) ‘If you don’t want to play team sports, you could play tennis. Go play tennis or run track. This is a team sport. It’s not all about you.’ She’s my biggest motivator even when I was a little boy. To see my have success now, it’s just like she feels the exact same way I’m feeling. She knows how big (of a) deal this is for me. She’s very, very supportive. After the game, she’s giving me some pointers like, ‘What do they hold you so much?’ I’m like, ‘Mom!’ She’s like, ‘Why don’t you tell the refs?’ (I am) like, ‘Mom, what would I look like going to the ref every play (if) they’re holding?’ She’s very into the game, and she knows what type of player I am. She loves my style of play, and she’s very (the game) She doesn’t like missing games.”

His personality and spirit isn’t lost on his coach or the rest of the team.

“It’s great for our team chemistry,” head coach Gary Kubiak said earlier in the week. “He’s a character, but in the right way. He loves to play. I don’t think Von has missed a practice this year other than me maybe sitting him down back there in the offseason (during) OTAs or training camp. He has been exceptional. He loves to play. He has bought into what Wade (Phillips) wants him to do. I thought he has done a great job with him. (Defensive Line coach Bill) Kollar works with him a lot in pass rush. He has become a heck of a player. I’ve known Von for a long time (with him) being a (Texas A&M) Aggie. I knew him when he was young. He has really grown up to become a really big time pro. He studies hard getting ready to play.”

And after battling through it all, he’s one win away from being at the top of the sport; hosting the Lombardi Trophy over his head if the Broncos can pull off a win for Super Bowl 50.

Just like in crunch time during games, Miller isn’t worried in the least about being nervous for the big game.

“I’m just chilling,” Miller said. “I feel like I’ve been here before. I’ve imagined this 50 million times (since) going to the Super Bowl two years ago. I feel like I’ve been here before.”

“I got a huge opportunity in front of me,” Miller added. “I want to take advantage of it. I didn’t get to play in the first one. Now, I’ve been playing all season long. It’s totally different from the first Super Bowl. I want to come in, and I want to play just like (Denver CB) Chris (Harris Jr.) and (Denver DE) Derek Wolfe,”

“I want to make my impact on this one.”