To say 2013 has not been kind to Von Miller is an understatement. It started with him being suspended for six games after abusing the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. This is a repeat offense of him testing positive for marijuana after he was suspended for four games for doing the same thing in his rookie season in 2011.
There is a story that came out few days ago about him being arrested last week for driving on a suspended license and speeding. He also has an arrest warrant in California for failing to appear on a traffic ticket last year in a report yesterday.
There’s no defending Miller’s actions. It’s one thing to make one mistake, but these mistakes are becoming a pattern for him. He has to understand responsibility off the field. He knows he can’t be doing drugs or doing anything that violates the letter of the law.
If he can’t get this right, why should the Broncos think he will be responsible at anytime? Why would he be taken seriously as a leader?
Miller is a public figure whether he likes it or not. That’s what happens when a football star wears a Broncos uniform. There are responsibilities that come with being a star. It’s not only performing on Sundays. It’s everyday where he has to lead by example for the young players on the team.
His behavior has had an effect on the Broncos already. His suspension has hurt the Broncos in which they don’t have anyone who can sack the quarterback. It’s going to be like that for the next five games. When he comes back, it will take time for him to be in football shape. It will be until November when he is playing at the level he has been playing when he had 18 ½ sacks last year.
The Broncos now have to worry what else Miller can do wrong off the field. That’s not what they want to do. They expect grown men to behave like grown men the minute they enter the NFL. They shouldn’t be counseling a young man about right from wrong.
Miller has a problem, and the Broncos have no choice but to talk to him. They need him to straighten himself out. It would be foolish to give up on him because of his behavior. Players like him don’t come often.
Miller is going to need a mentor to help him figure out to stay out of trouble. He is also going to have to go through lessons on how he can grow up. It’s unfortunate that it has to happen for a grown man.
From all accounts, Miller is a good guy. He always works with young players. He is one of the first that attends practice. He always listens to coaching. He is attentive on the field. This is why the Broncos are not going to be quick to give up on him. They know players like him don’t come easily.
What the Broncos need to do is be stern with him. They have to help him get through it. They have to teach him the dos and don’ts when it has nothing to do with football. It’s the least they can do. Maybe Miller responds well to it.
The Broncos have to do something. They can’t let Miller self-destruct himself. He is too good of a player to continue to go down that road.
Miller is 24 years old. We have made mistakes in life at that age. Let’s not pretend we are perfect. It’s how one can learn from it. Miller is at a time where he has to grow up now.
The Broncos will work with him, but at some point, he has to figure out a way of staying out of trouble.
Miller should know better than to drive with a suspended license. It’s common sense that an individual would be arrested if he did. For the Broncos linebacker to think he would get away with it, it shows he has zero respect for the law. This is something no one should be doing. It’s disappointing he would do that.
Miller should also know there is nothing to be gained doing marijuana. Just because everyone does it, it doesn’t mean he or anyone should be doing it. Everyone drinks and smokes cigarettes, but it doesn’t mean a person has to do it, either.
Miller is embarrassing the Broncos and himself through his actions. The Broncos value guys who represent the community well, and they put importance on guys who stay out of trouble.
It’s up to him to shape up now. This has to be a moment where he has to do soul searching about how he can avoid screwing up. If he does not get it now, he never will. His problems will only get worse if he does not cut it out.
Miller is under contract until 2014. If he continues to go the wrong way, the Broncos will either trade him or let him go as a free agent. They are not going to give him a long-term deal with the idea they don’t know if he is reliable enough to stay out of trouble and avoid suspension in the process.
There’s plenty of time for Miller to change, but he has to learn from this experience now.
Miller’s career in the NFL depends on it.
Leslie Monteiro
Leslie is a contributor for Lightning Rod Sports. He covered high school sports in Bergen County out in North Jersey, and has written op-ed columns on sports such as Bleacher Report and NY Sports Digest.
