In the 18 years the Broncos have honored their employees in an annual service recognition day, never has a player asked to attend the ceremony. Never has one asked to speak at the event and never has one asked to be a part of the festivities.
Not until Von Miller on Thursday.
The Broncos’ all-pro linebacker and Super Bowl 50 MVP asked to join in honoring those who reached service milestones with the team — five years, 10 years, 20 years, even 40 years if you’re Steve Antonopulos, the director of sports medicine. Miller took to the podium inside the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse and, on behalf of the players, thanked the 200-plus employees from both the stadium in Denver and the team’s practice facility in Englewood for their year-round work.
To the team’s chefs, to the grounds crew, to all the stadium workers, to the equipment managers and the operations staff, to the business office and beyond, Miller’s message was simple: “We couldn’t do what we do if it weren’t for you.” Then he shook hands with the award winners and helped to raffle off signed items, hanging around for two hours following the team’s practice.
So classy for 5x All-Pro @VonMiller to thank 200+ Broncos employees for their hard work. "On behalf of our team, we appreciate all you do." pic.twitter.com/Hn9c3XmUhZ
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) May 18, 2017
The gesture was the first of its kind for the Broncos, but not out-of-the-ordinary for Miller.
Last year he and receiver Demaryius Thomas arranged for the Broncos football staff — more than 100 employees — to receive a two-night stay at an upscale resort in Colorado, all expenses paid.
Last year Miller also gifted every player in the AFC West, including practice squad players and those on injured reserve, with a custom bottle of wine and a thank you note for “for helping to make our game great.”
Consider it Von just being Von.
