Whenever Heath Miller caught a pass at Heinz Field, and very often on the road, a collective deep-throated chant of “Heeeeeeaaaaaaath!!!” could be heard.
Little did Steelers fans know that 2015 would be their last chance to shout his name in that signature way, at least until there’s a day honoring the tight end.
Miller announced his retirement Friday after 11 seasons, according to Steelers.com. He was a workmanlike player who didn’t seem to be the type who would relish a farewell tour.
It was evident that the two-time Pro Bowler was past his prime, but he seemed to have plenty left in the tank, so the news is somewhat surprising.
Miller helped the Steelers win two Super Bowls and unlike similarly decorated Steelers of the 21st century doesn’t have to take a back seat at his position to one of the greats of the 1970s.
Among tight ends, Miller is the gold standard for the black and gold. The 33-year-old has 592 career receptions, 6,569 receiving yards and 45 receiving touchdowns. Those numbers, as well as his 168 regular-season games played, are the most among tight ends in Steelers history. Hines Ward is the only Steeler at any position to catch more passes than Miller.
Steelers’ Heath Miller retires.
Since he entered NFL in 2005, Miller was 4th among TE in rec (592), rec yds (6,569)— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 19, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsMiller caught at least one pass in a franchise-record 103 straight games, according to USA Today. The streak was broken in a 23-13 loss this season at Kansas City, a game Ben Roethlisberger sat out with a knee injury.
Drafted 30th overall by the Steelers in 2005, Miller caught 39 passes in his rookie season. He caught a touchdown pass in the Steelers’ stunning 21-18 victory at Indianapolis in the 2005 divisional playoffs. That win sparked the Steelers’ run to Super Bowl XL, where they won the franchise’s first championship in 26 years and became the first No. 6 seed to win a Super Bowl.
Miller caught a career-high 76 passes in 2009, the first year he made the Pro Bowl, and caught 71 when he was named team MVP in 2012. Miller tore multiple knee ligaments in a Week 16 loss to the Bengals that year. The Steelers lost that game and were eliminated from playoff contention. Miller’s recovery from that injury kept him out of the first two games of the 2013 season, and the Steelers started the year 0-4.
In this season’s 33-20 win at Cincinnati, Miller tied his career high with 10 receptions. Eight of those catches came in the first half, including four on third down as the Steelers built a 16-7 halftime lead and went on to win a game that helped catapult them to their second straight playoff berth.
Miller caught 60 passes in 2015, fourth-most in his career. But his 8.9 yards per reception were a career low.
Anyone born with the name Earl Heath Miller in a town called Swords Creek, Virginia has to be destined to do something cool in his life, and along with Roethlisberger and long snapper Greg Warren he was the only Steeler from the 2005 championship team who was still with the team continuously through 2015. James Harrison played on the 2005 team but spent 2013 in Cincinnati.
The Steelers have built a powerful offense over the last two years led by the trio of Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. Miller wasn’t as flashy as those playmakers, but remained a steady, serviceable presence as well as a veteran leader. At one point this season he told Brown to pipe down about not getting the ball thrown his way while Roethlisberger was out.
A. Brown said H. Miller pulled him aside 2 weeks ago. Said not to complain bout not getting ball. Miller said it’s no big deal #Steelers
— Dale Lolley (@dlolleyor) October 28, 2015
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Miller has carved his niche in Steelers lore, and if he agrees to be honored in any event at Heinz Field (that’s not a given), the Terrible Towel wavers will get a chance to yell “Heeeeeeeaath!!!” one last time.
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