Von Miller faces a third-degree felony charge of assaulting a pregnant person. The alleged incident occurred at Miller and his girlfriend’s Dallas-area home Wednesday. The Bills defensive end posted bail Thursday night.
A police report indicates Miller and his girlfriend engaged in an argument Wednesday. The dispute escalated to the point Miller is alleged to have told his girlfriend to leave their apartment and, as the woman attempted to, the 34-year-old pass rusher broke her laptop and shoved her. He is later alleged to have put his hands on her neck, applying pressure but not restricting the woman’s ability to breathe and pulled out a chunk of her hair. Miller’s girlfriend told police she is six weeks pregnant. An arrest warrant went out for Miller, who had left the residence.
Treated at the scene for minor abrasions on her left hand and bruising on her neck, the woman was not hospitalized. The dispute took place after Miller’s girlfriend had said she did not want to travel on her birthday this week, according to WFAA’s Rebecca Lopez and Ryan Osborne. In a 911 call obtained by WFAA, the woman said, “My boyfriend is choking and hitting me. I have bruises all over me. My hair is out.”
Two days after the alleged assault, the woman has since said in a text message (via WFAA), “No one assaulted anyone. This is insane. And sad. We’re fine. Things were blown way out of context. This is actually outrageous!” She described the incident as a “huge misunderstanding” and a “verbal disagreement.”
Miller turned himself into the Glenn Heights Police Department, posting a $5K bond just after 6pm CT on Thursday. Even if this charge ends up being dropped, the future Hall of Fame defender will remain subject to a suspension under the NFL’s personal conduct policy. A ban, which would be Miller’s first under the policy, could have a significant impact on his future in Buffalo.
Miller, who was suspended for a substance-abuse policy violation in 2013, is in the second season of a six-year, $120M contract. The second of Miller’s two ACL tears has left him – thus far this season, at least – a shell of his pre-injury version. After tallying eight sacks in 11 games last season, Miller does not have any in eight contests this year. After parking Miller on the reserve/PUP list to start the season, the Bills have used the 13th-year veteran exclusively as a backup.
A suspension would give the Bills an easier out in 2024, with $17.1M of Miller’s ’24 base salary guaranteed for injury and $10.71M of that amount fully guaranteed. Those guarantees would void in the event of a suspension. If no suspension occurs, the Bills would face a $32.5M dead-money charge by cutting Miller without a post-June 1 designation; they would be charged $17.1M in 2024 by using the post-June 1 designation.
The NFL has not placed Miller on the commissioner’s exempt list, which doubles as paid leave. The Bills return from their bye week to play the Chiefs in Week 14.
If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault or domestic violence, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
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