Von Miller Finds it 'Extremely Hard Not to Like Tom Brady.' On That We Agree.

Source – Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady are rivals on the field and frenemies on social media. Off the field, they’re straight up actual friends.

Miller served as a lifestyle correspondent for NBC at the Kentucky Derby earlier this month and Brady was among the NFL players he interviewed at the event. After practice Monday, Miller was asked about fraternizing with one of Denver’s conference rivals.

“It was cool,” Miller said. “It’s extremely hard not to like Tom Brady and all of those guys — [Patriots receiver] Julian Edelman, [Lions receiver] Danny Amendola, [former long snapper] Lonnie Paxton was there. …

“It was dope to be able to interview Tom Brady and spend time with all of those guys on the Oaks Day and on the Derby Day. It was definitely an experience. I’m a Tom Brady fan unless on Sundays.”

Unfortunately for Brady, that “unless on Sundays” statement is a big caveat. Miller has faced Brady seven times in the regular season. In those contests, Miller has totaled 13 quarterback hits, five sacks, one pass defended, two forced fumbles and one touchdown on a fumble return. Miller has also defeated Brady twice in AFC title games.

I have to admit I’ve got some mixed emotions at hearing Von Miller wax poetic about his appreciation for Tom Brady and all the Patriots the GOAT runs with. On the one hand, because that’s my thing. On the other hand, Von Miller is a great athlete and seems like a cool guy (even when PETA is after him for his shark hunting). Yet, on the other, other hand, I’m not sure I’m comfortable when Brady is getting praised by his nemeses.

Especially Miller, who at times has been the monster under Brady’s bed. Where the Patriots O-line was the furniture, and any part of the field that had Von Miller on it was lava. That 2015 AFC championship game in particular will always haunt my dreams. Miller was as close to unblockable as I can ever remember a defender being since probably Lawrence Taylor. Officially he was credited with four solo tackles, two for loss, one assist, four QB Hits and 2.5 sacks. But if you doubled all those numbers I wouldn’t have argued you were wrong. And that Carolina team the Broncos went on to beat was ripe for the picking, so that one cost us a ring. So part of me wants to hate that guy and wants him hating my quarterback. No matter how sincere his intentions, that mutual respect feels too close to pity. To sympathy. To how you feel about an opponent you own, lock, stock and both barrels.

The other part of me worries this is Brady entering some weird, Universal Respect phase of his career. And I am not ready for that. I’ve been pushing back for too long against mouthy opponents ripping him for being soft, being a cheater, a pretty boy, someone you can rattle, a guy who baits the officials into protecting him, a system quarterback, someone who’s only good because of his coach and I’ll mention “cheater” again. That’s my comfort zone. I like Generally Despised by Everyone Except His Teammates Brady. The one I’ve been embracing since around 2003. I’m not interested in adapting to a world where everyone feels the way Von Miller feels.

So hopefully this is just an isolated incident. A great player getting a sweet TV gig and in a vulnerable state because since that Super Bowl against the Panthers his team has averaged less than seven wins a season and he’s just feeling all the feelings of respect. I don’t want anyone in Denver being Tom Brady fans, any day of the week.