Buffalo Bills edge rusher Von Miller on Thursday disputed the allegations that he assaulted his pregnant girlfriend, calling them 鈥�100 per cent false鈥� and 鈥渂lown out of proportion.鈥�
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 to have done.
鈥淓verything was blown out of proportion. It was a crazy day,鈥� Miller said, noting there are details of what happened that he can鈥檛 reveal because the matter is still under investigation.
鈥淲hatever happened, I hate that it happened. I hate my name is attached to anything like that, and it鈥檚 just a matter of time until I can clear it up,鈥� he added. 鈥淢e 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.鈥�
The 34-year-old Miller was charged by police with third-degree felony assault of a pregnant woman, which is punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and a US$10,000 fine. He is free after posting a US$5,000 bond. The woman and Miller have been in a relationship for seven years and have two other children together.
Prosecutors have yet to file charges against Miller, according to Judge Steven Autry, the chief magistrate judge in Dallas County. The Dallas County District Attorney鈥檚 Office did not immediately respond to phone calls and emailed questions about the status of Miller鈥檚 case.
Miller鈥檚 case is not listed in Dallas County鈥檚 online court records system and an employee of the district clerk鈥檚 office said it has yet to be assigned to a judge.
According to a police affidavit regarding the alleged assault that occurred on Nov. 29, 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, officers wrote.
Police wrote that Miller became 鈥渧isibly angry鈥� when the woman went into an office in their shared apartment and slammed the door behind her.
Miller then told her to 鈥済et out,鈥� police wrote, and when she tried to collect her laptop and cellphone, Miller began pushing her. She repeatedly yelled, 鈥淪top. I鈥檓 pregnant,鈥� the affidavit said. She fell into a chair after being pushed, and Miller then put one hand on her neck and held it with pressure for 3 to 5 seconds, police wrote.
According to the document, Miller then threw the woman鈥檚 laptop on the floor and stomped on it. She told police she recorded some of the attack and, when she threatened to call police, he left.
The NFL, which is following all legal developments in the case, had no update on its investigation. The Bills are following the the NFL鈥檚 lead in allowing Miller to play because no charges have been filed.
The alleged assault 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, general manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott, and with the Dallas DA鈥檚 office listening in by phone.
鈥淭hese guys know me, they鈥檝e been around me,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淓veryone can have a lapse in judgement, but that鈥檚 just not been me.鈥�
Miller said it was important for him to speak out after nearly a month of silence in a bid to clear his name.
鈥淎ll of it is incorrect,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou know, it鈥檚 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.鈥�
Miller is the NFL鈥檚 active leader in sacks and a two-time Super Bowl winner. He is in his second season with Buffalo.
On the field, Miller鈥檚 production has dropped significantly as he continues to overcome the effects of having his right knee surgically repaired a year ago.
In 11 games since being activated off injured reserve, Miller has been credited with being in on only three tackles, and three tackles for a loss. He was averaging close to playing 25 per cent of the defensive snaps before his participation jumped to 46 per cent in a 24-22 win at the Los Angeles Chargers last weekend.
Miller acknowledged he鈥檚 still not close to playing at the level he expects.
鈥淲hen you watch the film, it鈥檚 obvious I鈥檓 not all the way back to where I can be. So you just got to keep pushing,鈥� Miller said, noting he鈥檚 not experienced any setbacks. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all on me, and that鈥檚 where I want it. It鈥檚 all on me, and it will happen.鈥�
Buffalo (9-6) is in contention to secure its fifth straight playoff berth, and closes its home schedule against New England (4-11) on Sunday.
