To truly appreciate what Von Miller accomplished to become Super Bowl MVP on Sunday, it's important to look back.

To 2013.

To the year Miller started down a path that could have made his NFL experience very different than it is today.

The No. 2 overall draft pick in 2011 and Broncos' No. 1, Miller did exactly what the Broncos hoped and even expected - 11.5 sacks, 64 tackles and a message to the entire league that he was on his way to greatness.

The Texas Aggie even earned AP Defensive Rookie of the Year just to prove it.

The following season, he logged a massive 18.5 sacks on the season and six forced fumbles. With Peyton Manning running the offensive show that year, Miller had the defense firing. Had it not been for one very unfortunate play against the Ravens in the playoffs that year, the Broncos - armed with possibly its most healthy and complete team - likely could have gone on to greatness that year.

It was not to be, so the dreams of a Lombardi would get pushed to 2013. But for Miller, that third year would prove a trying one as it began with a six-game suspension over a drug violation and ended with an ACL injury suffered just one week before the end of the season. The historic Broncos offense that year would head to the Super Bowl without its biggest defensive weapon - and that would prove a huge blow when the Broncos faced a wily Russell Wilson in Super Bowl 48.

As a depressing offseason loomed, fortifying the defense was priority No. 1, but Miller's role in that was a little in question given the recent season.

Flash forward two months to the Broncos' free agency pickups that included former Cowboys' edge rusher DeMarcus Ware. Brought in as much for his sack production as for his leadership, whatever vision Elway had of Ware's potential impact on Miller, it should not be categorized as anything less than brilliant.

DeMarcus has been everything for me - older brother, uncle, mentor, friend, idol. He influences me on a whole other level. -Von Miller, Super Bowl MVP

Sitting in the top 15 of all-time NFL sack leaders and averaging 15.5 sacks a year, the addition of then-31-year-old Ware was both to support and challenge the somewhat wayward Miller.

Miller himself gives so much credit to his edge-rushing counterpart for setting him on the straight and narrow - along with the undying support of his mom and dad and little brother. Calling Ware an "older brother, an uncle, a mentor, a friend, an idol," Miller believes the nine-time Pro Bowler deserves a huge part of his own success the last two years.

"DeMarcus been everything and above for me," Miller said in his news conference following the Super Bowl. "He influences me on a whole other level. You see greatness on an everyday basis. That's who I want to be like. It definitely influenced the type of person I am today."

Coach Gary Kubiak praised Miller for many things but above all his effort to be a better player, better person every day.

"The guy hasn't missed a day of practice since I came here, including offseason practice," Kubiak said after Miller was announced Super Bowl MVP. "He's an energized guy all the time - plays extremely hard, has a great passion to play, loves to dance at practice. He's a piece of work, but he loves to play football. That's the kind of guy you're looking for."

Sometimes you have to see yourself to find the spark in yourself. Thanks lil bro for being you. 1 of 1 #SB50 MVP pic.twitter.com/K6fnOeGMDf — D-Ware (@DeMarcusWare) February 8, 2016

Broncos' GM John Elway acknowledged Ware's likely influence on his first draft pick when he signed Ware in a three-year $30-million deal. Two years later both players have more than lived up to their potential if by no other measure than Miller's 2015 season. Noting that he had not seen a more talented guy physically than Von Miller in 2011, Elway said Miller "has grown up quite a bit."

"I think it's a compliment to Von and the people around him with some of the things that he had to go through when he was younger," Elway said. "He's grown up tremendously. I think DeMarcus Ware has had a tremendous effect on him, too. He's been a big brother for him and Von has responded. That's why I'm happy for Von."