Two years after being selected by the Broncos with the second overall pick in the draft, outside linebacker Von Miller was suspended six games in 2013 after turning in a diluted drug test.
After returning from the suspension, Miller played in nine games before suffering a season-ending ACL injury. Denver went on to reach the Super Bowl but Miller was unable to participate and the Broncos were blown out by the Seahawks, 43-8.
Just three years into his career, Miller would have to try to recover from a serious injury while being frequently drug tested by the NFL after his violation in 2013. The edge defender was at an important point in his life.
“You know how some people say take it one day at a time? I took it six hours at a time,” Miller said during a conference call with reporters on April 6. “I went to work and did what I had to do. Then I went home and did what I had to do. I made it small and achievable. Every day that passes you can gain trust or you can lose it. I just tried to put together a lot of good years, just try to learn from that.”
The following offseason, Denver signed DeMarcus Ware, who became a mentor for Miller. After recovering from his ACL injury, Miller totaled 14 sacks in 2014. He was cleared from the NFL’s drug program in 2015 and he hasn’t faced any trouble with the league office since then.
“I was young in my career,” Miller said. “If I would have made the same mistake later in my career, it would have been different. I was young in my career and I was able to be around a lot of great players. They helped me develop. Here we are today. It’s a huge blessing. I’m very appreciative and grateful to be here and still be a Bronco here.”
Miller and Ware helped the Broncos defeat the Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50, combing to total 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Miller took home Super Bowl MVP honors and five years later, he was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team. Miller’s come a long way since the 2013 season.
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