Von Miller said before the Super Bowl that he wanted to be the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. He made quite the case for that request on the biggest possible stage, taking home Super Bowl MVP honors with one of the best defensive performances in recent Super Bowl memory. John Elway will need to get his accountants to work fast, as Miller is a free agent (who can be franchised) heading into the offseason.
Miller was simply outstanding on the game’s biggest stage, forcing two fumbles of league MVP Cam Newton. The first went for a Denver touchdown recovered by Malik Jackson. The second set up the nail-in-the coffin touchdown, a two-yard run by C.J. Anderson.
Carolina had no match for Miller, at times being forced to triple-team the linebacker, which created opportunities for other defenders to make plays as well. In total, the defense hit Newton 13 times, by far the highest total of the season. Mike Remmers, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2012 before being cut, was simply no match for Miller on his own.
Postgame Miller was jovial and humble in his MVP speech, giving much credit to his teammates and the organization for believing in him and sticking by him. Miller was just cleared from the NFL’s drug program this year after violations put him one strike away from being out of the league. Much of the credit for that turnaround can go to DeMarcus Ware, the veteran linebacker who joined the Broncos last season and has been a phenomenal mentor to Miller.
As one of the MHS team, Les Shapiro, observed, “That’s a nice comeback story, huh? Von Miller. His career, his life could’ve gone one of two ways. He chose the right way. Happy for him.”
Here’s how the rest of the MHS team, the Denver media and some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment tracked Miller’s MVP-worthy performance as it unfolded…
Carolina doubled Von Miller twice on the edge to start and he stunted both times, so they just stood there.
— Nick Groke (@nickgroke) February 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/davidlukeramsey/status/696486024134823937
Remmers had a false start that wasn't called. Got scared of 58.
— Charean Williams (@NFLCharean) February 8, 2016
I know the line is, "You can call holding on every play". Von can actually say that with a straight face. #Broncos #SB50
— Delano White Jr (@bigdeewhite) February 8, 2016
Von gets fewer holding calls than any elite pass-rusher in the game.
— Zach Fogg (@zachfoggsports) February 8, 2016
Another non-call on a blatant hold against Von. Wow
— Zach Fogg (@zachfoggsports) February 8, 2016
Von Miller was the best athlete on the field tonight. He's little faster and much quicker than Cam. Can cover downfield at 250 pounds.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) February 8, 2016
Von Miller should be MVP if this holds up. #Broncos
— Jason Cole (@JasonCole62) February 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/TheCauldron/status/696530794760818691
#Broncos linebacker Von Miller: 6 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. #SuperBowl50MVP
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) February 8, 2016
Tonight was truly Miller Time!! @Millerlite40 .. U could see flashes of what he's done this post season from day 1!!
— Brian Dawkins (@BrianDawkins) February 8, 2016
.@Millerlite40 stole the show from Cam and Peyton with a dominating defensive performance!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 8, 2016
@Millerlite40 had an amazing game!! BALLIN'!!! MVP for sure!
Also… All you weirdos hatin… Let me give my brother some props! #SB50
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) February 8, 2016
There were people who believed Von Miller played the best game of his NFL career in AFC Championship vs NE. Then he topped it vs Carolina.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 8, 2016
"Wade is amazing. He always says the losses are on him. Well, the Super Bowl is on him too." – @Millerlite40 pic.twitter.com/QSmzWoc4OK
— Doctor of Words (& tights & over/under guesses) (@docllv) February 8, 2016
"M-V-P …" pic.twitter.com/bn4xW1PRUc
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) February 8, 2016
That's a nice comeback story, huh?—Von Miller. His career, his life could've gone one of two ways. He chose the right way. Happy for him
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) February 8, 2016
#SB50: Your Super Bowl MVP, Von Miller, with his mom and dad #Broncos pic.twitter.com/zu6cX6VqQh
— Mile High Sports (@MileHighSports) February 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/ChaseVaughn/status/696539238091739136
Peyton gets another $2 mil bonus forwinning tonight, but Von just made himself $105 mil this offseason. #Broncos #SB50
— Delano White Jr (@bigdeewhite) February 8, 2016