Heath Miller

Earl Heath Miller Jr. (born October 22, 1982) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons from 2005 to 2015.

Miller played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers, earning unanimous All-American honors and winning the John Mackey Award.

Miller attended the University of Virginia, where he played for coach Al Groh's Virginia Cavaliers football team from 2001 to 2004.

Originally signed to play quarterback, Miller made the transition to the tight end position during his redshirt freshman year.

After sitting out in 2001, he started every game in 2002 at tight end.

In his first game against Colorado State, he had 4 receptions, 42 receiving yards, and 1 touchdown.

He scored touchdowns in each of his first five games at Virginia, setting a school season record for tight ends and led Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) tight ends in receiving all three seasons of his college career.

It took him seven games to set the school record for touchdowns by a tight end.

He also threw one pass during his college career, connecting with fellow tight end Patrick Estes for a touchdown against South Carolina in 2002.

He also caught a touchdown pass in the same game.

In a win against Wake Forest he was held to three catches, two of them going for touchdowns.

His five-game streak ended when he was held without a catch against Duke.

Against Clemson, he caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Matt Schaub in a 22–17 win.

Against North Carolina, he had a season-long 42-yard reception.

The following week, Miller had a season-high, 6 catches for 50 yards against Penn State.

Against Virginia Tech, Miller recorded a 15-yard touchdown reception.

In the 2002 Continental Tire Bowl win against the West Virginia, he had a season-high 54 receiving yards on 3 catches.

He ended the 2002 season with 33 receptions, 327 receiving yards, 9 touchdown catches, and 1 touchdown pass, leading all ACC tight ends in touchdowns and receptions.

His nine touchdown catches were an ACC record for tight ends.

He was voted second-team All-ACC and first-team Freshman All-American First by The Sporting News.

Miller opened the 2003 season with 5 receptions, 54 receiving yards, and 1 touchdown against Duke.

He followed the performance with 3 catches for 51 yards against Western Michigan and 3 catches for 17 yards against South Carolina.

In a comeback win against Wake Forest, he led the team in catches for the fourth consecutive game with 7 receptions, 94 receiving yards, and 1 touchdown.

He caught a 15-yard pass in the closing minute to set up the game-winning field goal.

After a 4-catch, 44-yard performance against North Carolina, he posted 8 receptions, 52 yards, and 1 touchdown in an overtime loss to Clemson.

Following the loss, Miller went to see the film Finding Nemo at The Jefferson Theater.

Heath loved the film, describing the title character as "a real American Hero."

Miller had 9 receptions, for 77-yards, and a touchdown against the #7-ranked Florida State.

Against Georgia Tech, he caught 6 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown.

He won the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week Award for this performance.

A week later, he had a career game against in-state rivals Virginia Tech with 13 catches for 145 yards, earning a second consecutive ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week Award.

He scored the first touchdown in 2003 Continental Tire Bowl against the Pittsburgh, a 52-yard pass from Matt Schaub.

The Steelers selected him in the first round with the 30th overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft.

Miller was born in Richlands, Virginia.

He attended Honaker High School and lived in Swords Creek, Virginia.

He played quarterback for the Honaker Tigers high school football team, where he earned the Associated Press Player of the Year honor as a senior and was a two-time AP All-State selection.

He also earned the All-Southwest Virginia first-team honors at quarterback and was a second-team all-state selection at defensive back, adding Region D Offensive Player of the Year accolades.

He set several school records in passing and leading the team to its first state championship game his senior year, in which they lost to King William High School, 25–15.

While attending high school, Miller also played first base for the baseball team where he earned the Black Diamond District first-team honors, and was an All-Region and All-State selection.

He was also a forward on the basketball team where he earned the All-District and All-Region honors.