Broncos’ Miller admits breaking rule on key play


Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) strips the ball from Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) in Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) strips the ball from Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) in Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller got away with breaking the rules on a key play in the Super Bowl.

Speaking recently with Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, the Super Bowl MVP confessed that he illegally batted the ball toward the Panthers’ goal line after forcing a fourth-quarter fumble from Carolina quarterback Cam Newton. The Broncos recovered the ball, setting up the touchdown that sealed their win.

“I was being held for a minute, so I couldn’t get to the ball right away,” Miller told King. “I thought Cam was going to jump on it, but I guess, I mean, he didn’t want to dive down there on it. I couldn’t fall on it, so I was just trying to, I don’t know, get it to one of our guys.”

Had a penalty been called on Miller, Carolina would have retained possession. Instead, Newton wound up taking heat on social media for failing to dive on the ball, and the Broncos soon wrapped up the championship.

Miller is about to become a free agent, but the Broncos almost certainly would use the franchise tag on him if the sides can’t reach a contract agreement.