What Von Miller said about chasing Tom Brady’s NFL lifespan
The Buffalo Bills linebacker is a big admirer of the longevity of the legendary Buccaneers quarterback and is looking to emulate him.
Von Miller signed a six-year deal with the Buffalo Bills after winning Super Bowl LVI with the Los Angeles Rams and plans to play out at least that length of time despite already having reached the grand old age of 33, ten of those as a professional NFL player.
Tom Brady, a Miller inspiration
In an interview with Mark Gaughan of The Buffalo News, the linebacker said he admires the longevity of players like Tom Brady and Bruce Smith, who kept their careers alive past the age of 40.
“This is a six-year deal, so I’m looking forward to playing the whole thing,” the Super Bowl LVI champion declared, “I’m trying to play the whole thing out.
“Tom Brady’s done it, Bruce Smith has done it. All the guys that I look up to when it comes to longevity in careers.
“So I just take it one day at a time, and I’m just gonna take whatever God gives me. My intention is to play the whole thing out. I’m a real sicko when you get to know me. My mindset is different.”
Brady will be 45 when he enters his 23rd NFL season later this year. Smith played 19 seasons, 15 with the Bills and four with the Washington Redskins, before retiring at 40.
In the NFL’s official sack count, Bruce Smith leads the NFL with 200 and Miller is the closest active player to that mark with 115.5. In the past two seasons, the Bills’ new linebacker has not surpassed 10 quarterback catches and at that rate it would take him nine years to match the legendary Buffalo player’s mark.
Youthful sensation
By the time Miller’s contract with the Bills expires, the linebacker will be 39 years old. However, he has a sense of youth and explained the reasons he has detected that some reasons that trigger retirement in NFL veterans.
“I’m 33 but I honestly don’t feel 33,” he said. “I think mentally, once you start feeling old, it’s just done. I’ve been in the league a long time and when guys start complaining about, of course you’re gonna have injuries and stuff, but when guys start complaining about, man it’s cold out here. Or we got practice again today. Or just little things that I just try to stay out of. I try to keep my mind positive.
“Of course, I’m getting older. But I don’t feel 33 at all. The main thing is I don’t look 33 at all. When I’m running out here with the guys, I make it a point to show to my teammates and earn their trust that hey, I’m 33 years old but I can run with you. I can run with anybody and I’m healthy and I take care of my body.”