He has an apostrophe in his name, a hyphen in his nickname, larceny in his veins, aggressive defense in his game and an exclamation mark for his newly discovered fame.

Ja’Quan “J-Mac” McMillian And The Immaculate Interception!

A T-shirt is available.

McMillian could be a game-changer and game-saver again Sunday when the unfavored and underappreciated Broncos confront the almighty Patriots for the AFC Championship and a reservation in Super Bowl LX.

Bo Nix is out; Jarrett Stidham is in.

So, without their star quarterback and their No. 1 running back (J.K. Dobbins will not return from his injury), the Broncos must rely on their bold and daring defense and players such as McMillian and the Sack Attackers and the Rodeo Riders to rise a mile above the Patriots on an Arctic afternoon in Colorado.

Ordinarily an invisible man in the secondary throughout his four-year career in the NFL, with occasional starlight performances, Ja’Quan last weekend became a legendary hero or villain, depending on one’s viewpoint, to more than 50 million Americans late in the highest-rated Saturday TV playoff game in league history and the most-watched Saturday program of any kind on a network since the 1994 Summer Olympics. Sunday will attract the same attention.

Everybody now knows Ja’Quan’s unusual name and “The Perfect Pick” in a controversial play that elevated the Broncos to victory and kept the Bills from winning, and possibly being Super Bowl champions for the first time ever. The quarterback cried; Buffalo Wings were fried; the coach was fired, and the Bills’ hopes died.

My, oh, my McMillian.

As a former undrafted free agent who was signed off the street by the Broncos, then released, then added to the practice squad, then promoted to reserve cornerback and finally named a starter in the slot as a nickel back, the 25-year-old McMillian is the recipient of an NFL chump-change contract this season of barely $1 million.

Accordingly, McMillian & Life.

For all to know, Ja’Quan in high school in Winston-Salem, N.C., college at East Carolina for three seasons (before foregoing his final eligible season) and with the Broncos since 2022 has intercepted 41 passes, but no steal more important than the phenomenal feat against Buffalo’s Brandin Cooks after a 55-yard pass from Josh Allen ended up in the wrong hands at the 20-yard line in overtime last Saturday. As Cooks was rolling over toward the ground McMillian ripped the ball away, held on and stood up to show the world he had possession. After what seemed an interminable pause by the officials to rule on completing the process of a reception, the Broncos were awarded possession.

If the pass had been judged completed, the Bills would have kicked a rather simple field goal, beat the Broncos 33-30 and advanced to the conference title game.

Instead the Broncos would win, they are here, and now coveting a ninth Super Bowl. They are 4-0 at home in the playoffs against the Clam Chowders.

This definitely will be the most critical game for the Broncos since Super Bowl 50 and the AFC Championship triumph over the Patriots two weeks before. But they are well-prepared, especially on the offensive and defensive lines, at the edge-rushing positions and with a defensive backfield that includes “Big Play Hunter” Ja’Quan.

Four years ago not one team chose to draft McMillian after he was a Jim Thorpe semifinalist with the East Carolina Pirates. As a prep player Ja’Quan rescued a game with a fumble recovery and touchdown run. With his dad Stephan as a coach and a mentor he got 22 interceptions. He had 12 more in college ball, and his résumé now includes six INTs with the Broncos. He also has forced five fumbles and recovered two since 2024. In 2023 McMillian set a team record for DBs tackles for losses (seven).

Ja’Quan intercepted Allen and Patrick Mahomes (for a touchdown return) in December (on the anniversary of the premature tragic death at age 41 of his father). His two brothers — Stephan Jr. and Jayshawn – and two sisters have been elite athletes.

Guess what? The Broncos have four exceptional sack masters. Ja’Quan is the fifth with four critical sacks this season, including two in the Chiefs game, and seven overall as Vance Joseph’s surprise blitzer.

J-Mac always will be remembered fondly in Denver for the divisional playoff pick. Does he have another memory-mesmerizing moment against New England in the conference championship?

It’s Ja’Quantum Physics and the Broncos busting Patriots Sunday.