ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – The Denver Broncos have never lacked for confidence in Von Miller on the field, and that confidence has not wavered now that the star linebacker is participating in training camp under the threat of a four-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy.
Miller has filed an appeal with the NFL to get the suspension lifted, and though such wins are rare, those close to Miller believe he will eventually be cleared. A person with knowledge of Miller's situation told USA TODAY Sports that the suspension was not the result of a failed drug test.
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"He didn't test positive for anything," the person said.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because drug test results are to remain confidential. The NFL does not announce suspensions until after the appeal process is over.
The person also confirmed a report from The Denver Post that Miller had tested positive for marijuana in 2011, Miller's rookie season, a result that landed Miller in the league's drug offender program. That program has several phases, and includes random, unannounced drug tests.
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According to the NFL's drug policy, passed by the league and players' union in 2010, players in the second phase of the program also can be suspended for failing to comply with the terms of the policy.
That could include a player missing a drug test or providing a diluted urine sample.
Miller, who finished second in defensive MVP voting last season and has 30 sacks in his two seasons, did not speak to reporters Friday. On Wednesday, when he reported to Dove Valley, he declined to offer any specifics about his case. He said that when his situation is resolved he would speak candidly about what happened, but for now is standing behind his Twitter statement that he "did nothing wrong."
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That is the same message he has relayed personally to his Broncos teammates. Some have asked for specifics about Miller's case, but most are just choosing to believe him when Miller says he will be cleared.
"I just believe that what he says is right, and what believes is going to happen. I have his back 100 percent, no matter what happens. He seems quite faithful that he's going to be it, and we're quite faithful he's going to beat it," said linebacker Wesley Woodyard, a team captain who occupies the locker adjacent to Miller. "There must be something to [his confidence]. We don't know what it is, but we believe in his confidence."
Miller on Wednesday, in his most revealing quote of his short press conference, said he has matured since he joined the Broncos as the No. 2 pick in 2011.
"The guy I was two, three, four years ago is not the guy I am," Miller said.
Yet Miller remains one of the most unique personalities in the league. He has an outlandish fashion sense, from choice of bright-colored pants and designer shoes, to his massive collection of eye glasses. A poultry science major at Texas A&M, Miller has started raising chickens on his property in Dallas, and considers himself an amateur filmmaker after documenting much of NFL experience.
"There is only one Von Miller. He's different than the average person, and that's why he's Von Miller," said cornerback Chris Harris, who was part of Miller's rookie class in 2011. "That's why people love to watch him play, why they love to watch him dance on the field. He's a totally different character."
Defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson said Friday that while Miller remains "silly," he has accepted a role as a defensive leader, and understands just how much his teammates count on him.
Vickerson, who considers himself the veteran leader on the defensive line, said he has spoken at length with Miller this week, but is choosing to keep those conversations private. What Vickerson would share, like Woodyard, is his confidence that Miller would be on the field with him on Sept. 5 when the Broncos open the regular season against Baltimore.
"No doubt," Vickerson said. "There will be due justice. We have to watch and see how it plays out. Right now, he's not suspended, and he'll be with us the first game."
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