Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after being named the Super Bowl MVP after beating the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
SAN FRANCISCO — Von Miller laughed and danced into the early hours of Monday morning and said the Denver Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 celebration is not scheduled to end any time soon.
“I asked Coach (Gary) Kubiak, ‘Can we get the plane home to do backflips?'” said Miller, the Super Bowl MVP with six tackles, 2.5 sacks, two quarterback hits and two forced fumbles that led to points.
The Broncos are due to arrive in Denver via team charter on Monday afternoon with a downtown parade Tuesday. They soon will navigate Miller’s contract and the future of other big-name stars who contributed to the Super Bowl 50 win.
Miller and bookend linebacker DeMarcus Ware led a dynamic Denver defense that clamped down on Carolina’s No. 1-ranked offense. The Panthers were dominated, scoring 10 points after averaging more than 31 in going 17-1 to win the NFC.
Ware, an eight-time All-Pro, signed with the Broncos two years ago and helped form a fearsome outside pass rush with Miller, who said it means everything to have a “percentage of the credit” for getting Ware a Super Bowl ring.
“DeMarcus is everything — All-American person, All-Pro player,” Miller said. “He’s a leader, he’s a big brother to me, coach, mentor. It’s something I hold very close to my heart. I remember when I first got into the game, I wanted to pattern my game, mimic what I did after him.”
Miller said the Broncos did not change much entering Super Bowl 50. But Denver did feed off being labeled the underdog to the Panthers.
“Hats off to the media,” Miller said. “We knew what type of team we were playing. A very talented team. We knew what type of game we were going to have to play.”
Two of Miller’s sacks resulted in fumbles that gave the Broncos their first touchdown and led to the second.
“It’s those guys that bring me up on those Thursdays and Wednesdays,” Miller said. “My mom, she’s my biggest fan. She’s never missed a game. Little league football, flag football.”
Miller is the fourth linebacker to win the award, joining Malcolm Smith, Ray Lewis and Chuck Howley. He is the 10th defensive MVP in Super Bowl history.
Several teammates said they were glad to get a win for veterans, including Ware and Peyton Manning. Miller felt the victory was symbolic of the 2015 season, when the Broncos won 11 times by seven or fewer points.
“We carried each other. It was truly a team effort,” Miller said. “Everybody is used to seeing Peyton go out there and throw the ball for 45 points a game. This was truly a team effort.”
Miller thrived in defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ defense with 17 sacks in 19 games, including 5.0 in the postseason. He is scheduled to become a free agent in March. However, vice president and general manager John Elway said in the winning locker room Sunday night that Miller wasn’t going anywhere. It’s expected the Broncos will use the franchise tag to retain Miller while working toward a long-term deal.
“The first coach that believed in me, coach (John) Fox, if it wasn’t for those guys instilling what it means to play in the National Football League, I wouldn’t be here,” Miller said.
He is expected to match or exceed the most recent top-of-market contracts for defensive stars including J.J. Watt of the Texans ($100 million contract signed Sept. 2, 2014) and Justin Houston of the Chiefs (six-year, $101 million, $52.5 million guaranteed signed in July 2015).
“The Super Bowl MVP is special. The Super Bowl ring is something I’ll keep with me the rest of my life,” Miller said. “As far as my situation coming up. Mr. Elway, he’s played in the National Football League. He’s one of the best general managers there is. … I have people representing me. It’s going to be a peaceful thing.”
Miller has 60 career sacks and 16 forced fumbles in his career.
Kubiak said the Broncos are not yet thinking about what to do with key roster decisions, which include the status of 39-year-old quarterback Peyton Manning and his backup, free agent Brock Osweiler, in addition to Miller.
“I’ve known Von since he was a very young man at Texas A&M,” Kubiak said. “So proud of his path and how got to where he’s at. The thing that people don’t know — they don’t see the work he puts in to get there. He did not miss a practice this year. Unless I sat him down in training camp and made him take a rest day. I was telling his mom, he just loves to play. His future is so bright. I know he loves to play, but I’m very proud of him as a man.”
