Von Miller won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award for the 2011 NFL season.
The Denver Broncos selected Miller second overall in the 2011 NFL Draft after his standout career at Texas A&M. He immediately became a disruptive outside linebacker, recording 11.5 sacks in 15 games and helping transform Denver’s defense during a season when the team reached the playoffs.
Miller received 39 votes from the nationwide Associated Press media panel, defeating San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith, who received 11 votes. The award was presented during the first NFL Honors ceremony in February 2012, covering the 2011 season.
A common mix-up is confusing this award with the AP Defensive Player of the Year honor. That separate award went to Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs in 2011. Another nearby fact: Cam Newton won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award that same season, making 2011 a year in which both rookie honors went to highly drafted players.