DENVER, Colo --On Friday, linebacker Von Miller added another award to his resume.
The 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year was honored as the Denver Athletic Club's Colorado Athlete of the Year at the 37th Annual Awards Banquet Friday night in downtown Denver. He joined a few former Broncos who have also received the award, including John Elway, Champ Bailey and Rod Smith.
"It's an award that came from here in Colorado," Miller said. "It's always great to get awards and accolades but I think it shows the type of team we had and the type of teammates and coaches that I had. I'm very appreciative to have those guys and I'm very appreciative for the award."
In his rookie season, Miller tallied 64 tackles with 11.5 sacks and two forced fumbles en route to a Pro Bowl selection.
The former Texas A&M Aggie and his family attended the ceremony, where he mingled with some of the guests and took pictures. He said the award is special to him because of where it comes from – a state where he's lived for barely a year, but one he now calls home.
"It's special coming from Colorado, being a Texas guy," Miller said. "It feels great to have this type of impact on the community."
Another man was honored Friday night that Denver Broncos fans are very familiar with. Dave Logan, "The Voice Of The Broncos", was given the Career Achievement Award. Logan played in the NFL for nine seasons (1976-1984) and has been the play-by-play commentator for the Broncos for more than 15 years. He and former Major League Baseball player Dave Winfield are the only two athletes to be drafted by the NBA, NFL, and MLB.
Like Miller, Logan credited his teammates for the accolade.
"To me, it signifies that I've been blessed in so many ways," Logan said. "I've had such great support staff, whether as an athlete, a broadcaster, a coach, you simply have to step back and acknowledge that you couldn't achieve those things by yourself without great people around you. It allows me to take that step back and acknowledge how much support I've had."
Logan spoke of the Miller as a player with incredible potential who he looks forward to watching for years to come.
"I'm excited about Von's career," Logan said. "Such a great player as a rookie. I think he has that kind of ability to turn into a once-in-a-decade or once-in-a-15-year player. I'm anxious to see him continue to develop, but what a great, great player in his first year.
The Athlete of the Year ceremony also honored six Denver Athletic Club athletes and the Denver Post/9News High School Student Athletes of the Year
