Buffalo Bills edge rusher Von Miller on Thursday disputed the allegations of him assaulting the mother of his children, who is pregnant, by calling them “100% false” and “blown out of proportion.”
In addressing the media for the first time since turning himself into police in suburban Dallas on Nov. 30, Miller indicated something happened between him and his girlfriend, but stressed it did not approach what he is alleged of doing.
“Everything was blown out of proportion. It was a crazy day,” Miller said, noting there are details of what happened that he can’t reveal because the matter is still under investigation.
“Whatever happened, I hate that it happened. I hate my name is attached to anything like that, and it’s just a matter of time until I can clear it up,” he added. “Me and my girlfriend, we have problems just like any other couple does, but there has never been any of those things that was alleged against me.”
The 34-year-old Miller faces a charge of third-degree felony assault of a pregnant woman, which is punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. He is free after posting a $5,000 bond. The woman and Miller have been in a relationship for seven years.
The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to phone calls and emailed questions about the status of Von Miller’s case. And prosecutors have provided no updates on their investigation since Miller turned himself in a day after the alleged assault occurred on Nov. 29.
Miller’s case is not listed in Dallas County’s online court records system and an employee of the district clerk’s office said it has yet to be assigned to a judge.
According to a police affidavit which officers wrote, Miller twice put his hands on the neck of the woman, pulled out a chunk of her hair and threw her onto a couch. The woman was treated for minor injuries, including bruising on her neck, police said.
The NFL had no update on its investigation, while the league is also following all legal developments. The Bills are following the the NFL’s lead in allowing Miller to continue playing because no charges have been filed.
The alleged assualt happened during the Bills bye week. Upon returning to Buffalo, Miller said he provided his version of what happened in a meeting that included team owner Terry Pegula, GM Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott, and with the Dallas DA’s office listening in by phone.
“These guys know me, they’ve been around me,” Miller said. “Everyone can have a lapse in judgement, but that’s just not been me.”
Miller said it was important for him to speak out after nearly a month of silence in a bid to clear his name.
“All of it is incorrect,” he said. “You know, it’s not a funny situation, but all of it is incorrect and all of it is untrue. The only thing that is true is we do have a third son on the way.”
Miller is the NFL’s active leader in sacks and a two-time Super Bowl winner. He is in his second season with Buffalo.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
