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There’s a lot of bad news out today about the Broncos.
But don’t let the TMZ fan boys on Denver radio convince you that Von Miller’s cowboy-themed party is among them.
The flyer to Von’s party held last night at the Gothic. Definitely a Western theme. #9sports pic.twitter.com/xS1WByrgOy
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) October 23, 2018
Granted, any time TMZ decides your party is worth writing about, you can be sure there will be some talk - and probably not the kind you want (just ask John Elway).
But the local sensational journalism machine worked overtime today when several outlets jumped on a false story that Von Miller “threw a cocaine-themed party.”
Many of the tweets have been deleted - and Les Shapiro did admit and apologize for his mistake - but Broncos Twitter has been afire all afternoon with this side story.
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Just stop.
Miller hosted his annual Western-themed costume party in which a couple players dressed up as cocaine-using characters - Emmanuel Sanders as fake-but-legendary “Chappelle Show” crackhead Tyrone Biggums, and Brandon Marshall as Bobby Brown, a pop star/actor once addicted to cocaine.
Tyron biggums is who I chose to be for Halloween. A character off the Chappelle show. For those who don’t know, for halloween you can be spooky, a superhero, funny. Etc.. I chose to be funny and I don’t see problem with that. I had alot of good laughs throughout the night.
— Emmanuel Sanders (@ESanders_10) October 23, 2018
Two players. Pretending. In costume. For an annual Halloween party.
Lmao y’all gotta stop with Fake news . Cowboy western theme party and We have done this since I’ve been here .
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) October 23, 2018
If you want to be mad, be mad that they weren’t at home studying more Chiefs’ film before the game Sunday.
But players are allowed to have social lives too - and not only was it was held the night before the players’ day off from practice, Miller made sure players were not driving if they had anything to drink.
Just talked to Brandon Marshall: He said Von let everyone know if they were driving, they couldn’t drink. They got yellow wrist bands when they entered so they wouldn’t get served. Ubers and shuttles were available. Security was present. It was a secure environment. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) October 23, 2018
Although the fact that Chad Kelly was arrested at 1 a.m. after having attended the party earlier is a serious matter for Kelly and the team, it’s not about the party.
And making an issue out of the party itself and the costumes worn is nothing more than shock jocks looking for attention or wanting another reason to blame the coach and front office for a bad “culture” in Dove Valley.
There may be issues with the team culture, but an annual party does not inherently equal such accusations - as Elway pointed out on Orange and Blue Radio.
Elway to @OrangeBlue760: “We’re very, very disappointed in Chad and the situation he put himself into... When the team has a get-together, that’s always a good thing... One person put a dent in it... We take it very seriously and will make decisions as we go.”
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) October 23, 2018
So all this talk of stripping Miller of his team captain rank or calling for shipping Miller and Sanders out is just D-Mac needing to be in the headlines again.
Broncos insider Mike Klis pointed out that the Broncos front office is very upset with Kelly - but that situation has nothing to do with the fact that Von Miller had a party and players dressed up for it.
To be clear Von Miller takes it upon self as leader to hold this team-building event. Invites players/spouses/support staff and players from other Denver teams. Chad Kelly left the party and allegedly committed crime. Broncos disappointment is only with Kelly. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) October 23, 2018