Cowboys edge rusher Von Miller gets No. 40, Hunter Luepke gets chicken

FRISCO, Texas — Von Miller got his jersey number. It only took giving up some ownership of his chicken farm.

When the seven-time All-Pro signed with the Dallas Cowboys last month, he made it clear he wanted to wear No. 40, his jersey number in high school, college and with the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills.

But it already belonged to Cowboys fullback Hunter Luepke. Both players wore the number during training camp. Miller officially got it Thursday, in exchange for a percentage of his company.

“You got to give Hunter a great (shout) out,” Miller said. “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.”

Miller’s company has part ownership from other current and former NFL players, including Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees and Nick Foles. Luepke has switched to No. 30.

“It was a great fit for us,” Miller said. “It was a great fit for him. I’m happy that we were able to get it done.”

Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer did his best to stay out of the jersey number negotiations.

“I think it’s a great testament of the way you have to let those things play out,” he said. “I don’t want to get involved in that. … One of the first things I learned in this business is when you’re the head coach, the jerseys are a big deal. I think it starts in college. It’s a bigger deal now in the NFL than it’s certainly ever been.

“My dad (Marty Schottenheimer) never had to worry about jersey numbers.”