Von Miller Bio
Vonnie B’VSean Miller, known professionally as Von Miller, is an American professional football linebacker who currently plays for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). A two-time Super Bowl champion, Miller is widely regarded as one of the premier pass rushers of his generation, holding the record for the most career sacks in Denver Broncos history. Over the course of his career, he has earned eight Pro Bowl selections, seven All-Pro honors, and a Super Bowl MVP award.
Born in DeSoto, Texas, Miller starred at DeSoto High School before playing college football at Texas A&M University, where he became a consensus All-American and won the Butkus Award. Selected second overall by the Denver Broncos in the 2011 NFL draft, he went on to enjoy a decorated professional career that has included stints with the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills. Miller remains one of the most recognizable defensive players in the league and continues to add to his legacy with the Washington Commanders.
Early Life and Background
Vonnie B’VSean Miller was born on March 26, 1989, in DeSoto, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. He grew up in a sports-oriented household. His parents, Von and Gloria, were both college athletes and later built a power supply business. Miller also has a younger brother, Vinsynzie, known as Vins, who has been part of his support system throughout his athletic journey.
He attended DeSoto High School, where he played for the DeSoto Eagles football team and also competed in track and field. In his junior year, he recorded 37 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks. As a senior, he was named the District 8-5A Defensive MVP after totaling 76 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 6 sacks. In track, he competed in the 110-meter hurdles, triple jump, and javelin throw. Rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Miller was listed as the number-15 weakside defensive end in the nation in 2007.
Path to the NFL
Miller chose to attend Texas A&M University over scholarship offers from Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech. He joined the Texas A&M Aggies in 2007 and quickly earned Freshman All-Big 12 honors from The Sporting News after recording 22 tackles and two sacks. His early path included a suspension in the spring of 2008 under new head coach Mike Sherman for skipping class and underperforming at practice, a moment that prompted a serious change in attitude at his father’s insistence.
As a sophomore in 2008, Miller transitioned to weakside linebacker in Joe Kines’s 4-3 defense and led the team with 3.5 sacks. His true breakout came in 2009, when he moved to a hybrid jack position, leading the nation in sacks with 17 and earning first-team All-American recognition. In his senior year of 2010, he recorded 10.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss, won the Butkus Award, and graduated as a consensus All-American with a degree in poultry science. He entered the 2011 NFL draft as one of the top-rated 3-4 outside linebackers available and was selected second overall by the Denver Broncos.
Von Miller Career
Early Career (2011-2013)
Miller signed his rookie contract with the Denver Broncos on July 28, 2011, choosing jersey number 58 in honor of Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas. He made an immediate impact, forcing a fumble on his very first career play against the Oakland Raiders and recording his first sack the following week against the Cincinnati Bengals. Named the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, he earned his first Pro Bowl selection and finished his rookie season with 11.5 sacks.
In his second season, Miller emerged as an elite pass rusher, recording 18.5 sacks to set a new Broncos single-season record and earning first-team All-Pro honors. In 2013, however, he was suspended for the first six games of the season for violating league policy, and his year ended prematurely when he tore the ACL in his right knee during a December game against the Houston Texans. The Broncos went on to reach Super Bowl XLVIII without him.
Denver Broncos Breakthrough (2014-2018)
After recovering from his ACL injury, Miller returned in 2014 to record 14 sacks, earn a Pro Bowl nod, and help Denver reach the Divisional Round of the playoffs. In 2015, he became the third-fastest player in NFL history to reach 50 career sacks. In Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers, he delivered one of the most iconic defensive performances in league history, recording 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception return to set up a score on the way to a 24-10 victory. He was named Super Bowl MVP.
Following the Super Bowl win, the Broncos signed Miller to a six-year, $114.5 million extension, making him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history at the time. He continued to dominate, earning three consecutive first-team All-Pro selections from 2012 through 2016 and reaching 100 career sacks in 2018, becoming the fifth-fastest player in league history to hit the mark. During this era, he was selected to multiple Pro Bowls and consistently ranked among the top defensive players in the annual NFL Top 100 list.
Buffalo Bills Era (2022-2024)
On March 16, 2022, Miller signed a six-year, $120 million contract with the Buffalo Bills. He made an immediate impact in his debut, recording two sacks and three tackles for loss against his former team, the Los Angeles Rams. Unfortunately, his season was cut short when he suffered a torn ACL in his right knee, the same injury he had endured in 2013.
Miller returned to the field in 2023 but struggled to regain his prior form, finishing with zero sacks in twelve regular season games. In 2024, he recorded six sacks and contributed a key fumble recovery in a Divisional Round win over the Baltimore Ravens. The Bills released him on March 9, 2025.
Washington Commanders Era (2025-Present)
On July 21, 2025, Miller signed a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders worth $6.1 million, with the potential to earn up to $10.5 million in incentives. He chose jersey number 24 as a tribute to the late Kobe Bryant and to his former Broncos teammate, Champ Bailey, who began his career in Washington. By the end of the 2025 season, he had already re-established himself as a productive pass rusher, leading the team with nine sacks.
Driving Style and Strengths
Miller built his reputation on explosive first-step quickness, a deep repertoire of pass-rush moves, and the ability to bend the edge against offensive tackles. Throughout his career, he has excelled at tracking the quarterback, forcing fumbles, and converting speed into power at the line of scrimmage. His pass-rushing intelligence and ability to read offensive schemes have made him a central figure in defensive game plans for over a decade.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining moment of Miller’s career came in Super Bowl 50, when he recorded 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles to lead the Denver Broncos to a 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers and earn Super Bowl MVP honors. He also tied the all-time record for most career Super Bowl sacks, set a Denver Broncos franchise record for career sacks, and became one of only two players in NFL history to record multiple sacks in multiple Super Bowls. His 100th career regular-season sack in 2019 cemented his place among the all-time greats at the linebacker position.
Von Miller Career Wins
Across his NFL career, Von Miller has built a long list of victories, milestones, and championship moments. He is a two-time Super Bowl champion, winning Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos and Super Bowl LVI with the Los Angeles Rams. He was named the MVP of Super Bowl 50 after one of the most dominant defensive performances in championship game history. Miller has also earned eight Pro Bowl selections and seven All-Pro honors, including three first-team selections in 2012, 2015, and 2016.
NFL Highlights
Miller has tallied 138.5 career sacks as of the 2025 season, ranking him among the most productive pass rushers of his era. He set the Denver Broncos single-season sack record with 18.5 in 2012 and later became the franchise’s all-time leader in career sacks. He has earned multiple AFC Defensive Player of the Week and Month honors throughout his career, and he was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the 2010s. With the Los Angeles Rams, he recorded two sacks in Super Bowl LVI to help secure a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his NFL achievements, Miller won the Butkus Award in 2010 as the nation’s top collegiate linebacker and was a consensus All-American at Texas A&M. He was also named the Senior Bowl Defensive MVP in 2011 and earned the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award that same year. Miller was selected to the Pro Bowl eight times between 2011 and 2019, an unprecedented run of recognition that established him as one of the premier linebackers of his generation.
Von Miller Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Von Miller comes from a deeply athletic family. His parents, Von and Gloria, both competed as college athletes, instilling a competitive foundation in their sons from an early age. His father later partnered with his mother in building a power supply business, providing additional stability for the family. His younger brother, Vinsynzie, has remained a close presence in his life.
Personal Life
Majoring in poultry science at Texas A&M, Miller has long operated his own farm and raises chickens in his spare time. He has had two children with a longtime girlfriend. Outside of football, he appeared on season 22 of Dancing with the Stars in 2016 alongside professional dancer Witney Carson, finishing in eighth place. He is also the founder of Von’s Vision, a charitable foundation dedicated to providing eye care and glasses to underprivileged youth.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Von Miller joined the Washington Commanders on a one-year deal and quickly established himself as a key piece of the team’s defense. He led the Commanders with nine sacks by the end of the season, providing veteran leadership and a reliable pass-rushing presence opposite the team’s younger edge defenders. His production helped stabilize a defense that relied on his experience in critical late-game situations.
Beyond the stat sheet, Miller’s presence in Washington offered a steady veteran voice in the locker room and on the practice field. The Commanders leaned on his playoff experience, which included a Super Bowl MVP and a championship run with the Los Angeles Rams, to mentor younger players and reinforce a winning culture. By the end of the 2025 campaign, he had already proven to be one of the more impactful midseason signings in the league.
