Entertainment

Meet 'DWTS' Competitor Von Miller

by Kayla Hawkins

A new season of Dancing with the Stars is about to begin, and a dozen... "celebrities" are prepared to learn their way around a few dance steps. So, who is Von Miller, one of the new DWTS competitors? Is he destined to suffer an early mistake and elimination, or will he last all the way until the finals? The cast of DWTS is chosen for their success in other fields, but if there's any group of people who have had unlikely success on the dance floor, it's been the professional athletes. Going off of Entertainment Tonight's list of DWTS winners, Emmitt Smith, Apolo Ohno, Helio Castroneves, Kristi Yamaguchi, Shawn Johnson, Hines Ward, Donald Driver, and Meryl Davis all took home the trophy for their performances on the show. And, out of those eight champions, three have been NFL players like Miller.

So, even though football players may be known for running fast, bulking up, and hitting one another, they also have the finesse and the coordination needed to learn complicated dances week after week. Plus, dancing is an incredibly athletic pursuit, so being used to the physical demands also comes in handy. And, if you're still not convinced that he has a shot a winning the trophy, here are a few more reasons why Miller will surely be in luck when it comes time for him to compete on Dancing with the Stars.

He Just Won The Super Bowl

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As a member of the Denver Broncos, he just won Super Bowl 50, in an incredible upset over the Carolina Panthers. Miller's used to winning, and I don't think he's going to want to stop now.

And, He Received A Special Distinction

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Miller was given the Most Valuable Player award after his performance in the Super Bowl, which certainly will make him even more determined to succeed.

He's Paired With Whitney Carson

Miller has decided that Carson, who's his pro dance partner, will be his "secret weapon" in the competition, or so he told The Star-Telegram. "When I’m doing something, I’m all the way into it. I can tell that she’s the same way. I can tell that the chemistry’s going to be good," he promised the paper.

He's Already Preparing

On Instagram, Miller has shared some of his rehearsal footage — he's not leaving this contest up to chance; he's going to practice his way to victory. It's always easy to tell which DWTS competitors have worked to perfect their steps, as opposed to the ones who look sloppy on the dance floor.

He Already Has Some "Dance" Experience

Miller is a defensive player, and frequently sacks (tackles) the opposing team's quarterback or knocks the ball out of his hands. You may have seen this a few times at the Super Bowl a few months ago. And, after a sack, Miller has a signature dance move that's a little bit Key & Peele , a little bit MC Hammer.

And, He's A Dance Innovator

In a hilarious appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Miller and the host worked together to update the "dab," a dance craze that's particularly beloved by none other than Cam Newton. I think with that willingness to have a sense of humor while still working hard to master the dance steps suggests Von Miller has a real shot at success on Dancing with the Stars Season 22.

Image: Craig Sjodin, Aaron Poole/ABC