DENVER — Just a day after 19 Broncos players stood for the national anthem to publicly protest controversial messages by President Donald Trump, the team's star outside linebacker Von Miller is at the center of another media storm.
Denver-based auto dealership Phil Long Ford dropped ads featuring Miller, their one-time spokesperson on Monday morning, although in a late-day statement, the group said they feel Miller is a "good person."
Miller had appeared in several advertisements on television endorsing the dealership. According to Denver7 Broncos insider Troy Renck, the last commercial deal struck between the two parties was in March.
Some of the advertisements which had previously been posted to YouTube had already been removed from the dealership's page.
Although the dealership confirmed the move to drop the ads, the company's statement said they're "in the middle of a contract renewel:
"We are evaluating the events of the weekend. It is important to state that we haven't fired Von. We are in the middle of contract renewal and this weekend's events remind us that sometimes we feel that we best represent ourselves. We support Von and his first amendment rights, we know Von and he's a good person. He donated a police car to his hometown police dept. All that notwithstanding when we bring in celebrities to represent us we run the risk of being misrepresented."
We, like millions of Americans are concerned and will respond consistently with our values as a proud American company founded by a war hero (Phil Long). While we can't control the actions of others we can be responsible for how we support our nation and community. That is why, years ago, our principal owner, Jay Cimino, founded the Mount Carmel Veteran's Service center, and is supported by all Phil Long Dealerships. We support this cause not just with our words, but financially as well, and it is serving hundreds of veterans in need right here in Colorado. This would be a great time for our community to show support for our military community by supporting this cause or others that continue to serve them after they serve us."
