Heath Miller, one of the best tight ends and biggest fan favorites in Pittsburgh Steelers history, announced his retirement Friday after a storied 11-year NFL career.
Miller spent every single season of his career with the black and gold after being drafted in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of the University of Virginia.
Originally recruited as a quarterback, Miller made the transition to tight end in Charlottesville and became easily one of the best tight ends in Virginia and ACC history. Miller holds three ACC tight end career records with most receptions with 144, yards with 1,703, and touchdowns with 20. The Steelers knew they were getting a gem when they selected Miller.
In his rookie season, Miller burst onto the NFL scene by recording 459 receiving yards and six touchdowns and played a part in the Steelers’ Super Bowl season. Then in the 2006 Steelers home opener, Heath caught three passes for 101 yards, including an 87-yard touchdown reception that still holds as the longest as the longest touchdown reception in Heinz Field history. Miller continued to steadily and consistently produce big results for the Steelers as the seasons went along bolstering his popularity for Steelers fans everywhere.
Miller ended up being a key catalyst in another Steelers Super Bowl season in 2008, and was then named to his first Pro Bowl a season later after setting a career best with 76 receptions in the 2009 season. His finest season came in 2012 when he set a career high in yards with 816 yards and eight touchdowns. He earned Steelers’ MVP honors for the season and was named to his second Pro Bowl, but unfortunately missed playing after tearing two knee ligaments in a Week 16 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Miller will finish statistically the greatest tight end in Steelers history. He compiled 592 receptions, 6,569 receiving yards, and 45 touchdowns, which are all best for a tight end in franchise history. Of all receivers in Steelers history, Miller ranks second all-time in receptions, and fourth in receiving yards and touchdowns. Miller also is one of 12 tight ends in NFL history to finish with over 6,000 receiving yards for his career, and ranks in the top 10 in other major tight end categories.
The amazing aspect of Heath’s game was his success in the Steelers offense despite the team not being known for its heavy use of tight ends. Miller always had a great connection with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, and took advantage of every chance he got by putting up decent numbers, with very few drops.
There is no doubt about it that it will be very strange not hearing “Heath” chants echo through Heinz Field and other stadiums this upcoming fall. But Miller will always be a huge staple in Steelers history. He set the bar for current and future Steeler tight ends, while engraining himself in the hearts of Steelers fans forever.
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
