July 2, 2010

Playing Catch-Up

I apologize for the delay in posting, but hey..it's the offseason! Ok, maybe it's not the offseason for me, but it sounded like a good excuse.

I was upgrading the website, so was unable to post for a bit.

FYI: the Myspace link above is no longer active. I will have it removed soon. I will update soon on other social media sites I am using.

Catch-Up Time:

Heath hosted his annual mini-golf event to benefit Project Bundle-Up recently. The event had a great turn out, as usual, and everyone had a great time playing mini-golf!

Heath was also a guest coach at Mike Tomlin's football camp. He worked on drills with campers and even fielded a question or two.

To read some comments from Heath about attending the camp, and to see camper's reactions to catching some throws from Miller, click here.

There is also another video showing Heath at the camp, here.

And, I also received some photos of Heath at camp from Anita Doddroe. She said: "Heath & Brett, along with Chris Hoke visited with the campers at the Mike Tomlin Football Camp, and they were wonderful with the kids. My grandson thoroughly enjoyed getting to see and listen to them, and play some football with them."

Click here to view her photos.

Thank you so much to Anita for sharing her photos.

Last, but not least:

Ben Roethlisberger says he wants Miller to have a bigger role:

"Heath gets better every year. I still sit here and demand every year and talk about Pro Bowls for him because he is a Pro Bowl tight end. The more speed we have on the outside and the more dynamic we are on the outside opens it up more for Heath. And we have to base a lot of this offense around Heath Miller because he is so good at what he does -- and that's catching touchdowns."




May 17, 2010

Home Run Derby King

We know what a great football player Heath is, but he reminded fans this weekend what a great baseball player he is too!

James Farrior hosted his annual celebrity weekend in Virginia which benefits charities through his foundation. It was called 2010 Tackling Everyday Life Celebrity Weekend, and there was a casino night, softball game and golf tourney.

Heath and Coach Tomlin (among others) participated in the softball game against the Richmond Police Department. Heath showed the crowd why he won so many baseball awards in high school by winning the Home Run Derby!

After the game the participants signed autographs for fans and many pictures were taken.

Tori Batalo attended the game and shared several photos of Heath. Thank you so much to Tori!

To view her album, click here.

To read more about Farrior's Foundation, click here.

2005 Draft revisited:

From Gene Collier's column in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette:

Heath Miller remains among Kevin Colbert's finest first-round picks, ending a dark era when the tight end was virtually ignored in the Pittsburgh offense. You may have heard that the Steelers have won two Super Bowls since installing the quiet 6-5, 255-pound clinician up front, and despite a roster replete with NFL stars, there have more than a handful of days in those five years when Heath Miller has been the best player on the field.




February 24, 2010

Greatest athletes of the decade

Dan Stalcup, of The Cavalier Daily, in his Best of the Decade series, listed the top 25 University of Virginia athletes of the decade.

His criteria:

"What I looked for was dominance, records, hardware - especially championships, MVPs, and All-American awards - and overall importance to their teams."

Where did Miller land on the list?

#10- Heath Miller, football, tight end. Pretty much the best tight end playing in college football from 2003-04, Miller became a unanimous first-team All-American and a cornerstone of a successful 2004 team.

To check out the entire list, click here.

Miller in college:

"Simple Man" - freshman Heath Miller has a very simple formula: see ball, catch ball, score touchdown.

Heath uses the same "simple" formula now with the Steelers!

To read more about Heath's college career, click on Bio at the top of this page.




February 23, 2010

Update to site and new photos

I updated the site with a list of organizations Heath works with throughout the year.

You can read about them on the right side of this page, under Miller Causes.

It is nice to read about all the great work Heath and Katie Miller do in their community.

And...

...speaking of the great work they do-click here to view photos from Heath's work with the Urban Impact Organization. They are from 2008.

You can also view photos from Heath and Katie's Bid for Hope event-the link is in the February 19 news.




February 19, 2010

Heath helps raise money for breast cancer research

I posted several months ago about Heath and Katie Miller hosting Bid for Hope. It is an event they have hosted, through Glimmer of Hope, the last several years, taking over from Alan Faneca after he left Pittsburgh.

Glimmer of Hope is a Pennsylvania non-profit organization that has been supporting breast cancer research since 1994. The organization has raised over $1 million to further fund the largest premenopausal breast cancer study in the United States.

Diana Napper, founder of Glimmer of Hope, said the event raised $125,000 for breast cancer research! They were able to purchase camera equipment for the Hillman Cancer Hospital, and will be able to make a donation to the "Under 40 Breast Cancer Research" study. Diana also is sharing some photos with us from the event.

To view photos of Heath and his teammates at the event, click here.

There are several pages of photos-some are from previous years of the event.

Thank you so much to Diana for all the work she does to fund breast cancer research! I appreciate her sharing the photos and her support of this website!

I will post the link for Glimmer of Hope soon. They are currently updating their site. The information will be posted on the right side of the site, under Miller Causes when available.




February 1, 2010

Miller gets win in first Pro Bowl appearance

AFC 41, NFC 34

What a week for Miller! He was in Miami last week for the Pro Bowl. Heath practiced in sunny Florida with other Pro Bowlers, attended a barbeque and party held by the NFL for players and their families, and also helped to build a playground for area children.

Oh, and he had a thirteen-yard reception in his first Pro Bowl appearance!

The game was held at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, which is also the site of this years Superbowl between the Colts and Saints. There has been a lot of discussion about the fact that the Pro Bowl venue was moved from Hawaii, and that it is being played one week prior to the Superbowl, rather than after. Some players, fans and media were not happy with the changes.

But, Heath was happy to be there:

"I'm sure everyone in this locker room would prefer to be playing here next week," Miller said, referring to the Super Bowl. "But it's a great compliment. Just being here the whole week and being around these guys -- it's nice."

Heath's teammates, James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley each had interceptions during the game, but Woodley's was called back due to a penalty. Casey Hampton also played for the AFC. All four players represented the Steelers and AFC in a positive way!

To view photos of Heath at the Pro Bowl, click here.




January 25, 2010

Miller is a Pro Bowl Tight End!

All of Heath's teammates, coaches and fans already knew it. Now, everyone else does too. Heath Miller is a Pro Bowl tight end!

Heath is the first Steelers tight end to get there since Eric Green played in the 1994 game. In fact, Miller becomes just the fourth tight end in franchise history to make a Pro Bowl by joining Elbie Nickel (three appearances), Preston Carpenter (one) and Green (one).

Heath had an impressive season. His 76 catches (for 789 yards) set a franchise record for tight ends. He scored six touchdowns, which tied for second on the team (first went to Mendenhall with eight touchdowns).

Miller's 2009 numbers are the best of a five-year career that began with the Steelers as a first-round pick in 2005. His reception totals over the previous three seasons had improved from 34 to 47 and then 48, before exploding to the 76 he ended up with in 2009.

Heath credits part of his increasing success to QB Ben Roethlisberger:

"Being with Ben year after year and being on the same page with him, that kind of plays into it. This is our fifth year together. Relationships only get better over time. We've played a lot of snaps together. A lot of times we're on the same page and that pays off for both of us."

The rapport between Roethlisberger and Miller has become an important part of the Steelers offense.

"I've always said when he's blocking he's like another lineman, and when he's out in pass patterns he's another receiver," Roethlisberger said of Miller. "Even when he's not open, if you just put it close to him he's going to make the play."

Heath will be joined at the Pro Bowl by teammates, Casey Hampton, James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley. Ben Roethlisberger was also invited, but turned down the invite after team doctors recommended he rest a shoulder injury that was suffered in Pittsburgh's regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins.

Pro Bowl information:

The Pro Bowl will take place at 7:20 pm on January 31, 2010 at Dolphin Stadium in South Florida.

It will be televised on ESPN.

For more information, click here.

Check back throughout the week, and after the game for the latest photos of Miller in his FIRST Pro Bowl uniform and game!




January 20, 2010

Steelers help earthquake victims

From Teresa Varley, of Steelers.com:

The Pittsburgh Steelers have joined the worldwide effort to assist the victims of the Haitian earthquake. The team is donating to the American Red Cross and to the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer, a health care facility in Haiti that provides care for the impoverished residents.

The National Football League and the NFL Players Association have pledged $2.5 million to the cause. The NFL and NFLPA are contributing $1 million as a part of their Disaster Relief Fund to the American Red Cross and Partners In Health ($500,000 each). During the NFL divisional playoff games last weekend public service announcements aired to promote donations, with the donated airtime valued at $1.5 million.

Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes is encouraging fans to make donations to the American Red Cross, and offering a chance to win a signed jersey as an incentive.

To donate to the Red Cross, and have a chance of winning the jersey, click here.

For the Red Cross website, click here.

For the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer website, click here.




January 4, 2010

Miller scores TD in win

Steelers 30, Dolphins 24

The Steelers finished the regular season off with a win over the Miami Dolphins, bringing their season record to 9-7. They needed the win to keep themselves in the hunt for an AFC wildcard, and they needed help from other teams. But, they received news as they walked off the field that Houston had beaten New England, and they got the final news they were eliminated later when their chartered flight landed back home, after Baltimore defeated Oakland. So, the Steelers season ended in Miami.

From Coach Tomlin:

"I said quite a few times over the last several weeks, this is our bed and we have to lay in it. But, it was also us who made the best of a bad situation, too. I mean, let's be real, there are a lot of teams capable of going 6-10 or whatever faced with the circumstances this group of men was faced with. They knuckled down, they hung together, they did the best to their ability to fix it. We won our last three ballgames and gave ourselves a chance."

From Ben Roethlisberger:

"If this was the last one, I'd rather we go out with a win than a loss. There's not much that we can do, but I'm proud of the way we fought today and we played hard."

The black and gold got off to an early lead and never trailed in the game, winning their third straight game to finish out the regular season 9-7. Ben Roethlisberger, who was injured his right arm late in the game but stayed in, completed 18 of 27 passes for 220 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions for a quarterback rating of 128.6. The running game came to life with Rashard Mendenhall carrying the ball 20 times for 94 yards and Willie Parker added 12 carries for 91 yards. The defense came up big with three interceptions, coming at key times to hold off the Dolphins.

Miami QB Chad Henne left the game with an eye injury, and was replaced by Pat White. Later in the game, White was also injured on a hit by Ike Taylor. White did move his arms and legs before leaving the field after an eight-minute delay, and was taken to a hospital for examination. White landed flat on his stomach and was lying still following the collision near the Steelers sideline prompting Coach Tomlin and several Steelers players to immediately begin waving for help. He was transported by ground to Broward General Hospital and initial reports are that he suffered a concussion. A group of Steelers players knelt together in prayer as trainers and paramedics readied White for transport off the field.

Miami then brought in QB Tyler Thigpen, and he got Miami back in the game, but the Steelers defense held strong. Ike Taylor sealed the win with an interception of Thigpen to end the game.

For more detailed game news, click here.

Miller stats:

Heath had five receptions for a total of fifty-six yards. He scored his sixth TD of the season to help the Steelers defeat Miami.

To watch highlights of Heath's performance, click here.

For game photos, click here.

2010 opponents:

Ok, I know our season just ended less than 24 hours ago. But, I also know some of you are already anticipating the 2010 season. So, to find out who we will play in 2010, click here.




December 30, 2009

Playing catch-up

I apologize for the late update! My hosting company was running updates and then I took a break to spend time with family over the holiday.

Game news:

As you probably know by now, the Steelers defeated the Ravens 23-20 to keep their playoff hopes alive. Heath had three big receptions for a total of thirty-five yards.

The Steelers will need to beat Miami Sunday, and receive help from other teams to nab one of the AFC wildcard spots.

Pro Bowl news:

Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported that Heath was selected as a first alternate at the tight end position. Dallas Clark (Colts) and Antonio Gates (Chargers) are the two tight ends representing the AFC in the Pro Bowl. Miller would join the squad if one player at his position bows out, or if Clark or Gates make it to the Superbowl.

Thanks to everyone who voted for Heath to get to the Pro Bowl!

Miller definitely earned the chance to represent the AFC in the game. He set a team record for tight ends with 71 receptions, and is third among tight ends in the AFC.


December 20, 2009

Miller has big numbers in win over Packers

Steelers 37, Packers 36

Heath had seven receptions for 118 yards in the win over Green Bay. This is his second 100-yard receiving game of his career. And, with the Steelers needing five yards to keep a drive alive late in the first half, Miller gained 27 yards on a catch-and-run. The reception by Miller gave him 64 for the season, establishing a single-season mark for a Steelers tight end. The 63 catches Eric Green made in 1993 had been the previous high.

Green Bay took the lead from the Steelers late in the fourth quarter, but the team didn't give up. Instead, Ben Roethlisberger led a Super Bowl-like 86-yard drive in the final two minutes that ended with no time left when Mike Wallace caught a 19-yard touchdown pass as the Steelers beat Green Bay 37-36. Roethlisberger passed for a team-record 503 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

The pulsating victory allowed the Steelers to improve to 7-7, and they are one of 10 AFC teams competing for four remaining playoff berths. Several AFC wildcard contenders lost today, which improves the Steelers chances of nabbing a playoff spot.

"Not dead yet," Tomlin said. "We're on life support here in terms of staying in the hunt for the playoffs, so we can't save anything."

The Steelers face another must-win situation Sunday when the Baltimore Ravens visit Heinz Field for a 1 p.m. game.

Keep voting...

Time is running out to get your Pro Bowl votes in for Miller! Fan voting ends later today, so please keep voting. There is no limit, so you can vote as many times as you want. The link is on the right side of this page under Pro Bowl.

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to cast your vote for #83!

To watch Heath's post-game interview, click here.

For a detailed account of the game, click here.

And, to view game photos, click here.




December 17, 2009

Pro Bowl update

Fan voting for the 2010 Pro Bowl is coming to an end on December 21. Please keep voting to send Heath to his 1st Pro Bowl!

Currently, Miller is 3rd in voting for tight ends with approximately 208,600 votes. Thank you to all who voted and continue to vote.

Remember...you vote...#83 plays!

The link is on the right side of this page, under the heading of Pro Bowl.




December 11, 2009

Stunning loss

Steelers 6, Browns 13

In frigid conditions, the Browns found a way to do something they had not done in Cleveland since 2000. They beat the Steelers.

Pittsburgh's record is now 6-7 on the season.

The Steelers defense stopped the Browns from scoring any points in the second half, but the Browns defense held strong too, allowing no touchdowns by the Steelers all night.

For game news, click here.

Miller stats:

Heath had five receptions for fifty-nine yards.

Since the team played on Thursday night, they have a bit longer to prepare to beat the Packers. The Steelers are made up of veteran players, and they will find a way to pull together and turn things around next week!

For game photos, click here.

Game time change:

The December 20th game versus the Packers will now be at 4:15 p.m. due to NFL Flex Scheduling.




December 6, 2009

Tough loss for Steelers

Steelers 24, Raiders 27

From KDKA:.

Louis Murphy caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Bruce Gradkowski with nine seconds remaining, his second score in the final 5½ minutes, and the Oakland Raiders scored three late touchdowns to stun Pittsburgh 27-24 on Sunday.

The Steelers went ahead 24-20 on Ben Roethlisberger's 11-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward with 1:56 remaining, only to have the Raiders rally and win the game.

After three quarters in which there was little scoring – the Steelers led 10-6 at the end of three - and long stretches of inactivity, the fourth quarter suddenly become a back-and-forth duel between revived offenses in which the lead changed five times in the final 8½ minutes.

Heath had a big reception for twenty-seven yards, and several key blocks for his teammates.

To read more game news, click here.

For game photos, click here.

Event photos:

Heath attended the 65 Roses Sports Auction last week. To view photos click the link under the Snapshot photo of the week-to the right on this page.




November 29, 2009

"We will not go gently"

Steelers 17, Ravens 20

From Coach Tomlin after the overtime loss to the Ravens:

"We will not go gently. We won't go in a shell. We'll go into attack mode because that's what's required."

The Steelers were without Ben Roethlisberger, their starting quarterback, and his backup, Charlie Batch. They headed into the game with their third string quarterback-Dennis Dixon. Up until the Baltimore game, he had thrown one pass in the NFL. The team was also without Troy Polamalu. But, if the Ravens thought they had an easy win coming their way, they were wrong.

From Steelcityinsider:

Nobody counted on the play of second-year quarterback Dennis Dixon making things interesting.

Dixon, making his first career start, ran for one touchdown and threw for another. It was his first mistake, however, that did the Steelers in.

Dixon was intercepted by rookie Paul Kruger on third-and-five from midfield in overtime and Kruger returned the ball to the Pittsburgh 28 to set up a 29-yard field goal by Billy Cundiff that lifted Baltimore to a 20-17 victory.

For four quarters, Dixon looked like a player who had been playing in the NFL for years. Dixon completed threw for 145 yards and a touchdown and also ran for a score with 6:32 left in the game to give the Steelers (6-5) their first lead of the game.

To read more about the game, click here.

For game photos, click here.




November 22, 2009

Milestone fails to appease Steelers' Miller

Steelers 24, Chiefs 27

From Scott Brown, Tribune Review:

Heath Miller set a personal record on a day in which he caught seven passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.

Yet the Steelers' tight end couldn't stop thinking about the pass he didn't catch following a 27-24 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday.

It came on the third play of the third quarter when Miller couldn't hang onto a Ben Roethlisberger pass and resulted in an interception near midfield. Seven plays later, the Chiefs scored the touchdown that allowed them to trim the Steelers' 17-7 halftime lead to three points.

"It was a good ball," Miller said. "It hit me in the hands. It's a play I've got to make."

Miller has caught 54 passes this season - six more than the career high he established in 2008. It puts him on pace to exceed 86 catches this season.

Not that the big numbers he put up against the Chiefs nor the new standard he set for himself was much consolation to Miller after the Steelers lost their second consecutive game.

"I was way below the standard." Miller said of his play. "That's unacceptable."

Click here to view game photos.

And, to watch Heath's post-game interview, click here. Then, scroll down the list of interviews to get to Miller's.

Pro vs. GI Joe

Steelers players are thankful and appreciative for everything those in the United States Military do for our country, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t going to bring their A-game when it’s time to go head-to-head with a group of soldiers at video games.

Players took on members of the Army's 336th Military Police Company from Pittsburgh, currently stationed in Baghdad, Iraq, in a game of Guitar Hero as a part of Pro vs. G.I. Joe. And it was the Steelers that came out on top, with their performance of "Play That Funky Music White Boy" making them a winner.

The two groups were able to play against each other thanks to a webcam, with the troops in Iraq being seen on the big video screen in the Steelers team meeting room, while they could see the players having a great time rocking out.

To read more about the event. click here.

To see a few photos of Heath there, click here.




November 20, 2009

New photos

I received some photos of Heath from Keri and Dave Bassila. They went to Pittsburgh to watch the Steelers beat the Browns. Dave was getting ready to deploy to Iraq-for the fourth time. His wife, Keri has been to Iraq twice. Both are huge Steelers fans...Dave even took his Terrible Towel and Steelers jersey to Iraq!

They were nice enough to share some photos they took. Click here to see them.

The Bassili's also met Brett Keisel at an autograph signing. Click here to see the pictures of the signing, Brett's SB ring and some other game photos.

Thanks so much to Keri and Dave for sharing their photos, and for all they have done (and continue to do) for our country.