NFL star under investigation after video shows monstrous fishing catch - report
A fishing trip with some friends last week might land Denver Broncos star Von Miller in hot water.
Miller was fishing off the coast of Miami with his brother, Vins, and two former Texas A&M teammates, Cyrus Gray and Tony Jerod-Eddie, when they hooked a nearly 10-foot-long hammerhead shark, according to Jon Heath of USA Today’s Broncos Wire.
After battling the shark for 42 minutes, they hauled the big hammerhead onto the boat.
Miller posed for photos with the shark, which the group later threw back into the ocean, according to TMZ Sports.
Von Miller caught a pretty big hammerhead shark today pic.twitter.com/cVt1pcRo3J
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) March 30, 2018
Miller documented the catch in an Instagram story that has since expired, and the footage came to the attention of the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, according to TMZ.
PETA accused the fishermen of illegally catching and killing the animal, and vowed to follow up with wildlife officials to “ensure Miller is held accountable,” the report said.
Under Florida law, the great hammerhead is one of a group of sharks that are prohibited from harvest in state waters. They can be caught and released but not landed, which happened in this case when the shark was dragged onto the boat.
PETA’s complaint reached the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the agency is investigating.
“FWC has received the images and video and is looking into whether or not a violation occurred in this incident,” spokesman Rob Klepper told TMZ.
Miller hasn’t commented on the PETA complaint or the FWC investigation, but plenty of people had harsh words for him on social media.
@VonMiller i hope karma & legal punishment comes back on you & those other idiots for what you all did to that poor hammerhead shark!
— Mztinytoonz🐕💖☮🌊 (@DCLakerRavenGal) April 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/jossu505/status/980168157506629632
Von Miller’s Instagram story today made me sick to my stomach. I see that it’s trending on Twitter, do yourself a favor and skip it. Basically, you’ll be watching a hammerhead shark being tortured.
— Adam Greenbaum (@Greenbaumly) March 30, 2018
they should be investigated, why do people have to be such asses. They catch it illegally, kill it and throw it back, wtf. Was this fun? Did they think they looked badass? They looked pitiful , do something that matters, contribute to the good of mankind. Killing animals ain't it
— Tommi Dakota (@clw99_c) April 3, 2018
@VonMiller catching and almost certainly killing an endangered hammerhead here in Florida. NOT acceptable people.
Video: From @VonMiller page pic.twitter.com/npJ1XZIA8A
— Annie Guttridge (@annieguttridge) April 1, 2018
Others, however, defended the former Super Bowl MVP.
https://twitter.com/willie_rage/status/981294071044915201
"PETA is pissed…" is probably a template for headlines by now.
— Yogurt (@sutherland604) April 3, 2018
Wait why is PETA angry with von miller for catchin that hammerhead shark….he released it after the photos…..ppl just like bein mad
— Karim (@kreamz_karim) April 3, 2018
While Miller’s group reportedly put the shark back into the water, it’s unclear how much time had passed or if it was still alive.
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