TJ is a 12-year-old boy battling cystic fibrosis, and all he wanted was to beVon Millerfor a day. So with the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Broncos, TJ and his family flew to Denver for a day in Miller's shoes, with meals, activities and other details picked out by the Super Bowl 50 MVP.
Breakfast like Von
To start off the day, TJ and his family had the option to eat the same breakfast Miller usually eats. So, after he told them what that meal is — scrambled eggs, turkey bacon and hash browns — that's exactly what TJ ordered, along with some pancakes. And he wasn't the only one to order Miller's usual meal; the rest of the family followed suit, too.
Meeting fans like Von
Occasionally, when you're an NFL star like Von Miller, you get unexpected visits from some of your biggest fans. TJ learned that Saturday from his booth at IHOP, and of course he was happy to oblige for a few autographs, including signing a salt shaker and a syrup container.
Ridin' like Von
Then it was off to UCHealth Training Center. But before they left, they needed a ride. Miller, a noted car enthusiast, was able to suggest one of his favorite car models for the group.
Vibin' like Von
It wasn't a long ride to UCHealth Training Center, but Miller still made that a custom experience, too. He picked out music for the drive, including tunes by The Temptations.
In the locker room like Von
After touring UCHealth Training Center, TJ's Broncos tour guides showed him to a very special surprise in the locker room: his own locker, set up right next to Miller's. A custom jersey awaited TJ in the locker, as well as a special backpack full of goodies Miller helped pick out.
Geared up like Von
The goody bag that awaited TJ in his locker was full of gifts that Von chose. Of course, there was a Broncos football. It also included one of his favorite movies, "Finding Nemo"; a hat from Miller's alma mater, Texas A&M; as well as an Adidas backpack and Carhartt sweatshirt, products from companies that sponsor Miller.
Watching practice like Von
After training camp ends, the Broncos' practices can only be seen by team personnel, aside from brief viewing periods for the media. TJ got the VIP experience, though, and was able to watch practice from the sideline, just like the players do, when they're not on the field in the middle of the action.
Shooting the breeze like Von
During their brief periods of rest between reps during practice, some of Miller's teammates took the time to walk over and meet TJ. But it didn't seem like many players had more fun in conversation than defensive linemen Shelby Harris and Zach Kerr, who are always very eager to laugh.
After that, practice was over, and the day was pretty much done. TJ met Miller after practice to share stories and get to know each other better, and Miller left him with one final gift: a personalized note on the back of TJ's jersey to remember a day TJ won't ever forget.
TJ, a 12-year-old with cystic fibrosis from Maine, told the Make-A-Wish Foundation he wanted to be Von Miller for a day. With help from Miller and the Broncos, his Wish came true.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ meets Miller after practice.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he and his family finish their breakfast of eggs, hash browns and turkey bacon, Von's meal of choice.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, like Von, TJ has been asked for his autograph.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, like Von, TJ has been asked for his autograph.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, like Von, TJ has been asked for his autograph.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he and his family finish their breakfast of eggs, hash browns and turkey bacon, Von's meal of choice.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ steps into a car selected by Miller for the ride over to UCHealth Training Center.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ rides over to UCHealth Training Center in a car selected by Miller.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ steps out of the car selected by Miller at UCHealth Training Center.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ points out the players he knows on a mural of broncos legends.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he is drawn to the display of Lombardi Trophies.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he takes a photo next to the Lombardi Trophies.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he takes a tour of the weight room with Strength and Conditioning Coach Loren Landow.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he takes a tour of the weight room with Strength and Conditioning Coach Loren Landow.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he takes a tour of the weight room with Strength and Conditioning Coach Loren Landow.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he listens as Executive Director of Community Development Allie Pisching guides him through UCHealth Training Center.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. The day included a tour of UCHealth Training Center.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. The day included a tour of UCHealth Training Center.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he looks at the Super Bowl 50 and Lombardi trophies, as well as a replica of Von Miller's championship ring.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he looks at the inscription on the Super Bowl XXXIII Lombardi Trophy.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. The visit included a tour of UCHealth Training Center, including its new team meeting room.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. The visit included a tour of UCHealth Training Center, including its new team meeting room.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he is shown to his locker next to Miller's.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ looks at the custom jersey that was hanging in his locker.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he looks at the gifts included in his locker.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. The team set up a locker next to Miller's.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he looks up at his name plate next to Von's in the locker room.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he poses in front of his locker with his custom jersey next to Miller's locker.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he poses in front of his locker with his custom jersey next to Miller's locker.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ's mother straightens out his jersey after putting his Make-A-Wish button on the front.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he shows his family what was in his gift bag in his locker.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. His visit included being able to watch practice.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he and his brother watch practice.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ reacts in awe after Demaryius Thomas waved to him.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ meets Miller for the first time.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ meets Von Miller for the first time.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ meets Senior Personnel Advisor Gary Kubiak at practice.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ meets Senior Personnel Advisor Gary Kubiak at practice.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. He even wore a Broncos watch.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he takes in practice from the sideline.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, Will Parks shakes hands with him at practice.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, Shelby Harris and Zach Kerr share a moment with him on the sideline.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, Shelby Harris and Zach Kerr share a moment with him on the sideline.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ helps Emmanuel Sanders at practice by playing catch.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ helps Emmanuel Sanders at practice by playing catch.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ helps Emmanuel Sanders at practice by playing catch.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ helps Emmanuel Sanders at practice by playing catch.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ helps Emmanuel Sanders at practice by playing catch.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. As practice ended, TJ was able to watch from the outside of the huddle.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ meets Brandon Marshall after practice.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ meets Miller after practice.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ meets Miller after practice.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ meets Miller after practice.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ meets Head Coach Vance Joseph after practice.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ meets Head Coach Vance Joseph after practice.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ meets Miller and Head Coach Vance Joseph after practice.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ meets Miller after practice.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he meets Garett Bolles outside the locker room.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, he meets Phillip Lindsay outside the locker room.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ's mom shows Miller his Von-themed folder featuring a Broncos chicken.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, Miller and the family take a group photo.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, Miller and TJ take a photo together.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, TJ and his family take a photo with Miller.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, Miller autographs and writes a note on his jersey.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, Miller autographs and writes a note on his jersey.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, Miller autographs and writes a note on his jersey.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, Miller gives TJ a fist bump.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, Miller autographs a football for TJ.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, Miller gives TJ a hug as they say goodbye.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018. Here, Miller greets TJ's brother and his dad.
TJ, a 12-year-old fighting cystic fibrosis, wanted to be Von Miller for a day, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make that dream come true on September 29, 2018.
