Broncos Coach Fox Comes To LB Miller's Defense
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Denver Broncos coach John Fox came to Von Miller's defense Thursday, 24 hours after publicly expressing frustration in his suspended star over multiple traffic transgressions.
Fox said the team is helping Miller stay out of trouble any way it can, and he pointed out that the All-Pro linebacker's infractions were nothing more serious than traffic citations.
Miller was arrested when he tried to purchase a weapon last month and a routine background check revealed an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in court on traffic charges from last year. He also was pulled over near his suburban Denver home last week and cited for speeding and driving with a suspended license.
A third citation surfaced in California late Wednesday but his agent disputed a Dallas TV report that there was an open warrant for Miller stemming from the 2012 speeding ticket in Orange County.
Fox didn't go into specifics on how the team was helping Miller, the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2011 and two-time Pro Bowler.
"Let me just say, anything that can be done, we're doing," Fox said. "I think in a good way, some of this is getting cleaned up. I would remind people it is TRAFFIC citations.
"I've had multiple traffic tickets to be honest with you," Fox added. "It's just a matter of handling it, getting it paid for because people want their money and handling that the right way and we're helping him to that."
Fox wouldn't say whether the team had designated anyone to make sure Miller takes care of his off-the-field matters in a timely fashion to avoid further embarrassment: "I'm not going to get into all our operations, but it'd be fair to say that we have a lot of great resources here," he said.
It's unlikely Miller's six-game suspension without pay would be extended by the NFL commissioner because traffic violations haven't generally been a part of the NFL's conduct policy.
Miller's agent, Joby Branion, told The Associated Press on Thursday that the California citation had been taken care of 14 months ago. Branion said Miller was cited for speeding less than 15 mph over the 65 mph limit on March 22, 2012. He said the ticket and all fees were paid in full on July 9 and three days later the case was closed.
"This was a traffic infraction and not a criminal matter," Branion said in an email, adding, "No warrant was ever issued for Von's arrest."
By Arnie Stapleton, AP Sports Writer (© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
