Broncos LB Von Miller Named Super Bowl 50 MVP
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SAN FRANCISCO (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - Football fans in Denver are celebrating after the Broncos toppled the Carolina Panthers to win Super Bowl 50 on Sunday night. But some folks in North Texas are celebrating too, as they honor a hometown hero.
Broncos linebacker Von Miller was named the game's Most Valuable Player. Miller has come a long way since his days playing football at DeSoto High School. He forced two fumbles to set up Denver's two touchdowns, and the Broncos defense frustrated Carolina quarterback Cam Newton to carry Peyton Manning to his second Super Bowl title with a 24-10 victory on Sunday.
Manning threw for just 141 yards and committed two turnovers in one of the least productive games of his brilliant career that could be coming to an end. Manning ended an up-and-down, injury-riddled season with another championship to go with the one that he won with the Indianapolis Colts nine years ago.
But it was Miller who led a defense that recorded a Super Bowl record-tying seven sacks and forced four turnovers for Denver. The Broncos had the top-ranked defense in the NFL this season.
Click Here To See Miller's Stats
The game's MVP grew up in North Texas and attended DeSoto High School, playing football and running track. During his senior year with the Eagles, Miller was named the 2006 district's defensive MVP. He made waves early -- his teachers, coaches and classmates could tell that he was something special.
Miller maintains his ties to North Texas. According to the DeSoto High School athletic director, the famous NFL player helped his team get helmets by reaching out to one of his sponsors.
"It gives us pride, and the community becomes involved as well," stated Terrance Orr, Miller's former teammate and now wide receivers coach at DeSoto High School. "I'm pretty sure everyone in DeSoto is a Denver Broncos fan now."
Millions of other people around the world saw the 26-year-old linebacker shine on Sunday night, but he is not taking all of the credit. "I really appreciate those guys. This win is for those guys," Miller said about his team. "It was for Coach Phillips. It was for Peyton. It was for D-Ware, and all my teammates."
DeSoto assistant coach Brian Stansberry is not surprised about Miller's words. Even in high school, Stansberry said, Miller cared about his teammates. "On the football field, you just knew just how explosive he was, and his tenacity for the football. You knew he was going to be a good football player," the coach said. "You want your kids to be successful -- kids from DeSoto -- and it's just amazing. I mean, MVP of the Super Bowl, that's big time."
"Whenever you're doing something for your buddies, it means a little bit more," Miller added. "As human beings, we're selfish all the time. When you're doing something for somebody else, that's where magic happens."
After his time in DeSoto, Miller went on to attend Texas A&M and, five years ago, was then drafted second -- behind Newton.
Newton, meanwhile, watched as his season ended in disappointment. He lost two fumbles, threw an interception and failed to produce a touchdown for the only time this season.
(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
