Miller uniquely qualified to help Chubb move past off-field situation
Sep 8, 2021, 6:22 AM | Updated: 6:28 am
This preseason, it’s been a challenge to avoid the narrative that Von Miller and Bradley Chubb are both finally healthy at the same time and ready to wreak havoc on quarterbacks in 2021.
But now, the elder Broncos pass rusher has a unique opportunity to help guide Chubb through a difficult and embarrassing situation away from the playing field, one similar to his own past.
While staring down a six-game ban from the NFL for a failed drug test, in August 2013 Miller was arrested on a failure-to-appear warrant in Arapahoe County after missing a court hearing for several driving citations.
On Tuesday, Chubb found himself similarly detained in Douglas County for failing to appear in Arapahoe County court on charges of misdemeanor driving under restraint and having his license plates expired 60-plus days.
Said the Broncos in a statement on Tuesday: “We are aware of the matter, which was related to an unresolved traffic issue that has now been addressed.”
Chubb’s situation isn’t quite apples to apples with Miller’s, but the former can still take his cues from how the latter handled his.
In an October 2013 sit-down interview with then-Denver Post beat reporter Mike Klis, Miller said his traffic infractions were perhaps blown out of proportion because they got “mixed together” with his suspension. But he admitted he had to “be on top of all this stuff” and mature.
“The constant battle with procrastination is what it all boils down to. If you get a speeding ticket, you have to stay on top of it,” Miller said at the time.
Miller was able to somewhat shed those off-field issues and use it as motivation in the upcoming seasons, eventually coming away with the MVP trophy in Super Bowl 50.
At age 25, Chubb is still maturing. And his off-field situation Tuesday is far less serious than Miller’s was in 2013. But the young pass rusher can still find lessons in this situation and turn it into fuel on the field.
At the very least, Chubb should heed the mistakes Miller made in the past in order to avoid similar situations in the future. And for his part, Miller can help guide Chubb through to the other side.
