Story by
Von Miller gives ‘free chicken for life’ to Cowboys teammate for jersey number
- Story by
- Von Miller gives ‘free chicken for life’ to Cowboys teammate for jersey number
Von Miller wanted his No. 40 jersey back with the Dallas Cowboys . To get it, the veteran linebacker apparently had to offer his teammate a deal that went far beyond football.
Miller and Cowboys fullback Hunter Luepke were sharing No. 40 throughout training camp. However, NFL rules do not allow both players to wear the same number during the regular season. Luepke had worn No. 40 since joining Dallas in 2023, while Miller had worn the number throughout high school, college and NFL stops with the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills . He wore No. 58 early in his career with the Denver Broncos and No. 24 last season with the Washington Commanders .
Advertisement
MORE: ESPN's Dan Orlovsky calls Cowboys' Von Miller signing 'meaningful'
The two players reached an unusual agreement Thursday, Sept. 3. Miller secured No. 40 by giving Luepke a percentage of his chicken business, Greener Pastures Chicken. Luepke will now wear No. 30, but with that comes free chicken for life.
" You got to give Hunter a great [shout] out ," Miller said, via The Athletic. "He's learned from the best with the negotiators here with the Cowboys. It went down to the final hour, but we were able to get it done.
"I don't want to get into the details of it, but I'm happy to say he's my business partner. He's a part owner of Greener Pastures Chicken. The chicken of champions."
Advertisement
Von Miller returns to Texas with Cowboys
NFL: New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys
Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Von Miller (40) poses with his family before the game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Miller's return to Dallas added another chapter to his Texas connection. The Cowboys signed the eight-time Pro Bowl pass rusher to a one-year deal in mid-August, bringing him back to the state where he grew up and played college football.
Miller was raised in DeSoto and attended Texas A&M, where he also studied poultry science. He enters Dallas after a productive 2025 season with the Washington Commanders, where he recorded nine sacks while appearing in all 17 games.
Advertisement
The two-time Super Bowl champion also made his excitement clear after joining the Cowboys. Miller posted on X, " Dallas! Let's make this one Special! 😈"
His arrival gives Dallas another veteran presence in a revamped pass-rush group.
MORE: Danny Parkins explains why Cowboys could be 'really good' in 2026
Miller could play a rotational role in Dallas while helping younger pass rushers. He played 36.9 percent of Washington's defensive snaps last season but still recorded the nine sacks and 15 quarterback hits.
The Cowboys allowed 511 points in 2025, the most in the NFL. Miller's experience could help address that issue as Dallas prepares for its season opener against the New York Giants on Sept. 13.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —
