Von Miller trades jersey number with teammate for equity in chicken farm
Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Von Miller secured jersey No. 40 by giving teammate Hunter Luepke a stake in his Greener Pastures Chicken business, marking an unusual player-number swap.
Dallas Cowboys veteran pass rusher Von Miller obtained jersey number 40, which he wore in high school, college and previous NFL teams, after reaching an agreement with fullback Hunter Luepke, who had worn the number since joining the club. The deal, finalized on Thursday, gave Luepke an ownership interest in Miller’s poultry venture, Greener Pastures Chicken, and prompted Luepke to switch to number 30.
"I’m happy to say he’s my business partner. He’s a part owner of Greener Pastures Chicken," Miller said, adding that the arrangement was a "win-win for both sides."
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer noted that jersey swaps are common but said this was the first he had seen involve equity in a company. He said the resolution removed a potential distraction from the locker room.
Miller, 37, entered his 16th NFL season with the Cowboys and remains the league’s active leader in sacks. He expressed enthusiasm about playing for his hometown team and indicated interest in future front-office roles, citing mentorship from the organization’s personnel department.