Steelers TE Heath Miller retires from NFL

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

Heath Miller

Pittsburgh Steelers TE Heath Miller announced his retirement from the NFL today after 11 seasons.

Statement from the Steelers website:

Miller played 11 seasons for the Steelers (2005-15) after originally being selected by Pittsburgh in the first round (30thoverall) of the 2005 NFL Draft. He started 167-of-168 games played during the regular season, and he started all 15 postseason contests that he played in. Miller’s 168 regular-season games played are the most by a tight end in Steelers’ history. 

In team history, Miller is the all-time leader in receptions (592), receiving yards (6,569) and receiving touchdowns (45) by a tight end. Overall, he ranks second in career receptions, fourth in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, and sixth in scrimmage yards (6,577) in Steelers’ annals. Miller is one of four players to record 500 receptions, one of five players to record 6,000 receiving yards and one of five players to record 40 receiving touchdowns in team history. 

Miller is one of 12 tight ends in NFL history to reach 6,000 career receiving yards, and at the conclusion of the 2015 season, his 592 receptions are the sixth-most in NFL history by a tight end, and his 6,569 career receiving yards are the ninth-most in NFL history by a tight end.

In 2015, Miller recorded 500 receiving yards for the ninth straight season to become just the second player in team history to accomplish that feat (Hines Ward). Also in 2015, he became just the second player in team history (Ward) to record at least one reception in 100 straight regular-season games played (Miller, 103). 

A two-time Super Bowl Champion (XL and XLIII), Miller was also a two-time Pro Bowler (2009 and 2012). He earned Steelers’ MVP honors for the 2012 season, as he led Pittsburgh with 71 receptions, while registering single-season career-highs in receiving yards (816) and receiving touchdowns (8). Miller was also named to USA Today’s All-Joe Team following the 2008 season for his unsung efforts. As a rookie, he was the recipient of the 2005 Joe Greene Great Performance Award, given annually to the top Steelers’ rookie.