Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller said he broke an NFL rule during Super Bowl 50 after knocking the football away from Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton on Feb. 7.
Newton has been widely panned for failing to dive on the loose ball. But when Miller got into the scramble, the former Auburn quarterback was on the ground and nearly had his hands on the football. That's when Miller knocked the ball away with a lightning sweep of his left arm.
"I was being held for a minute, so I couldn't get to the ball right away," Miller told King. "I couldn't fall on it, so I was just trying to, I don't know, get it to one of our guys."
Denver outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware nearly came up with the fumble initially, but Carolina center Ryan Kalil jumped on him just as the former Troy standout was about to corral the ball. That's when Newton had his shot at it, but Miller intervened.
It's illegal for a defensive player to bat the ball back toward the goal line. Referee Clete Blakeman was behind Miller when the bat occurred, and he then almost got bowled over by players pursuing the bouncing ball.