July 1, 2009

Heath picks "Candy for the Cure" Winner

Heath made an appearance at Ross Park Mall yesterday to draw the winning names for Candy for the Cure.

The event was sponsored by A Glimmer of Hope Foundation.

A Glimmer of Hope Foundation is presently funding the largest under forty breast cancer research study in the country at Magee-Womens Research Institute.

To find out who won the great prizes, click here.

Miller signed autographs after the drawing for fans in attendance, and there was also a silent auction for Steelers and Penguins memorabilia.

I added a few photos from the event to the photo gallery. Click here to see them.

To see more pictures from Heath's appearance, click here.

A Glimmer of Hope will be holding another contest in the future. If it involves Heath, I will post the information here, so check back!




June 30, 2009

Reminders

ESPY voting is underway so be sure to cast your votes. In addition to the nominations listed in the June 26th news, the Steelers are also up for Best Play (Ben Roethlisberger's pass to Santonio Holmes during SB XLIII) and Best Game (SB XLIII).

Click here to cast your vote.

Also...

The drawing for Candy for the Cure is tomorrow! So, I hope one of us receives a call or email saying we are winners!

News about the event is in the May 13th news.




June 26, 2009

ESPY nominations announced

The ESPY nominations are out, and the Steelers are nominated for Best Team! Also, Mike Tomlin is nominated for Best Coach, and James Harrison for Best NFL Player.

The awards show will air July 19 at 9:00 p.m. on ESPN.

Your vote counts!

Voting begins today, and ends on July 12. Click here to cast your vote.




June 17, 2009

News and Notes

Training Camp '09:

The Steelers report to training camp on July 31st. Practices will begin on August 1st. It will be held at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. For the complete schedule, and more information on training camp, click here.

Steelers individual game tickets:

A limited number of individual game tickets for the Steelers 2009 home games are available through Ticketmaster beginning on Saturday, June 20, at 10:00 a.m. This marks the third consecutive season fans will be able to purchase tickets through Ticketmaster.

For more information on purchasing the tickets, click here.

Congratulations...

...To the Penguins on winning the Stanley Cup Championship...and to Ben Roethlisberger on his victory at the US Open Challenge!

To read about Ben's US Open Challenge event, and to see photos, click here.

The city of Pittsburgh (and fans from all over the world) have certainly had reason to celebrate this year!




June 10, 2009

Miller lends hand for Habitat for Humanity

Heath and several teammates worked with Habitat for Humanity on June 8th to help build a house for Debbie Miller and her family.

Miller is the recipient of the “Champions House,” presented by Habitat for Humanity to a qualified family in the Super Bowl winning city. Miller and her grandsons will soon move into a home in the Westwood section of Pittsburgh, a home that is being built from the ground up by volunteers.

Miller was taken by surprise on Monday when she was working on the house and 14 members of the Super Bowl Champion Steelers showed up to get things rolling. The players, along with assistant head coach John Mitchell, put up the exterior walls of the house and began work on interior walls, as well as handling some painting duties.

To read Teresa Varley's entire article on Steelers.com, click here.

To watch a video, click here.

And, to see photos from the event, click here.

This is just another example of the wonderful things the Steelers do on their OWN time.

Superbowl XLIII ring time!

The team received their Superbowl rings today. For pictures of the rings, and information on them, click here.

OTA's:

The last round of OTA's are this week. The team will then have a break until they report to training camp on July 31st.

I will post information on training camp, and on purchasing individual game tickets soon.






June 2, 2009

Miller hosts Mini Golf Classic

Heath hosted his annual Mini Golf Classic on June 1 to benefit Project Bundle Up.

To view a short video of Miller at the event, click here.

To see photos from the event, click here.

I will add more if I find any.






May 21, 2009

President Obama congratulates the Steelers

The Steelers organization headed to Washington D.C. today to meet with President Obama and to make care packages for our troops.

Obama started off by saying:

"Congratulations to the Superbowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers and to the fans of Steelers Nation who wave that Terrible Towel every Sunday!"

Obama went on to say:

"This is a new team for a new era and that's embodied by Coach Tomlin."

The President discussed how the Steelers do great work on and off the field, and while they were at the White House they would be teaming up with the USO for Operation Care Package. They would be packing up 3,000 care packages for our troops.

Ever the competitors, the Steeles were divided into three teams-defense, offense and special teams. They would race to see which team could pack the most packages.

The footage stopped before I saw who won.

The President also welcomed about 50 wounded warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center for the ceremony. In addition to the wounded warriors and the Steelers, President Obama is meeting with Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper and four officers who were the first to respond to the April shooting in Stanton Heights that claimed the lives of three city police officers.

To see a video of the visit, click here.

To see pictures from the visit, click here.

I will add more if I find any.

Also today...

...I received an email from David Eaton, Vice Mayor of Honaker, Virginia (Heath's hometown). He sent me a link to Honaker's website, which provides great information on the town. Take some time to browse their site by clicking here.

They feature Heath, and this site, here.

Their link can also be found on the Links page. You can click at the top of this page on Links to view various websites.






May 15, 2009

Steelers heading to the White House

From Ed Bouchette, of the Post Gazette:

The Steelers will visit the White House Thursday at the request of President Barack Obama.

The traditional visit by the Super Bowl champions will take place at some point in the afternoon. The Steelers last visited the White House as Super Bowl champions in 2006, when George W. Bush was president.

To see a larger version of the picture to the right, and a couple more from the 2006 visit, click here.

I will post any pictures I find of the visit as they become available.

Candy for the Cure:

Read all about the promotion Heath is supporting in the May 13th news below!






May 13, 2009

Candy for the Cure

Heath is once again working with A Glimmer of Hope Foundation.

Heath and his wife hosted the Bid for Hope event last year for A Glimmer of Hope Foundation. Pictures can be seen in the Photo Gallery.

Glimmer of Hope is pleased to announce the launching of Candy for the Cure. Candy for the Cure is a program developed by Glimmer of Hope to help raise funds for the nations largest under 40 breast cancer study in the country. Every dollar raised goes to support breast cancer research and the fight for a cure.

For just $5.00, you purchase a delicious chocolate bar. Look for the unique entry code on the inside of the wrapper, and fill out the entry form that includes your unique entry code.

Prizes include 4 VIP passes to the Steelers Training Camp, a SB XLIII item autographed by Heath Miller, and a Troy Polamalu signed and framed Pro Bowl jersey!

Not only do you get a wonderfully delicious chocolate bar, and a chance to win amazing prizes, but you are also supporting a great cause! Remember, EVERY dollar raised goes to support breast cancer research!

Ready to join in the cause?

Click here to purchase your candy.






May 5, 2009

News and Notes

The Steelers held a mini camp this past weekend. Coach Tomlin said it was a productive camp, and they ended the weekend with no injuries.

The team is off until May 19, when they will hold some voluntary workouts.

Contract talk:

James Walker from ESPN.com spoke to Heath during mini camp regarding his contract.

Here is what James Walker wrote about the interview:

He's not worried about entering the final year of his contract and won't let it distract his play this season. Miller said he's "hopeful" to remain a Steeler beyond 2009, whether a deal gets done before or after the season.

To see a picture of Heath from camp, click here.






April 24, 2009

Heath's draft day memories

"To play for an organization like this is a dream come true."-Heath Miller.

Steelers.com asked some players what their feelings were on draft day, and how it felt to be selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Here is what Heath had to say:

"There was a lot of anticipation because you knew in a matter of weeks that you would be somewhere in the country, but you don't know where and with what team. There are a lot of unresolved circumstances leading up to the draft.

I had no clue to be honest with you where I would go. I tried to keep an open mind and tried not to get my heart set on one team to be picked by. I tried to just let things happen. You can't control it.

I didn't realize the first round took that long. It took all day to get to pick number 30.

Once I was drafted there were a whole bunch of emotions. It was a relief to know your questions had been answered. It was also excitement to be picked by Pittsburgh. If you are going to have a chance to be in the NFL- to play for an organization like this is a dream come true."






April 22, 2009

Steelers' Miller also looking for new deal

From John Harris, Tribune-Review:

Count tight end Heath Miller among the Steelers who want to play their entire NFL career in Pittsburgh.

With Miller, though, his desire to finish what he started with the Steelers takes on more urgency, as he approaches his final season under contract with the team that selected him in the first round of the 2005 draft.

Miller is one of several Steelers who could be entering next season wondering when - or if - they will re-sign before becoming free agents.

"Obviously, I'd love to be a Steeler, and I'd love to spend my whole career here. But at the same time, I realize this is a business. You don't really know what's going to happen," Miller said Tuesday following the Steelers' final Organized Team Activity (OTA) of the week.

Miller is represented by Tom Condon, who is considered one of the top player agents and has a reputation for delivering big contracts for his clients.

The Steelers recently signed Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison to a six-year, $51.175-million contract. Like Miller, Harrison also was entering the final year of his deal.

Miller, 26, said he isn't aware of any Condon discussions with the Steelers on a new contract.

"There's really no point in focusing on it, because when it comes down to it, none of us really has control over what's going to happen," Miller said. "I'm just focused on becoming a better player and getting ready for the upcoming season."

Director of football operations Kevin Colbert said Monday the Steelers want to re-sign some of their players who will be entering their final year before the start of next season. However, Colbert also said the team is struggling to create room under the salary cap, as evidenced by the decision to release running back Gary Russell in order to sign quarterback Charlie Batch for the start of OTAs.

Signing Miller, who established a career-high with 48 receptions in 2008, to a long-term contract is the best option for both sides. The Steelers also could designate Miller the franchise player after next season while working on a new deal.

"We'll see what happens," Miller said. "I'll keep my fingers crossed, and we'll see what happens."

Miller noted the large turnout of players attending the voluntary workouts as a sign the Steelers are committed to defending their Super Bowl title.

"Every year, you set out to win the Super Bowl, and there's no better feeling when you accomplish that," he said. "The thing you cherish is the journey along the way and the memories you accumulate.

"It feels good to get back in the swing of things, get your mind on the playbook and see some of the guys you haven't seen in a while," Miller said. "I think it speaks to the character of our team. We've got a lot of guys who like to work, who enjoy being around each other. I'm not sure how much that will help in the fall, but it definitely can't hurt."

I will update with any contract news as it becomes available.

Also:

To view latest OTA, or other new photos, click on the Photos link at the top of this page, and then click on Last Uploads.






April 20, 2009

It's time for OTA's

OTA's began today for the Steelers. The first organized team activity of the season took place today at the team's practice facility on the South Side.

Miller, along with many other starters, participated in practice today.

To see a larger version of the photo to the right, click here.

The Steelers were also sized for their Superbowl XLIII rings.

To see a photo of Heath during the ring sizing, click here.

To read about the rings, click here.

Also:

If you have not visited Big Ben News recently, be sure to stop over there! Ben Roethlisberger's unofficial site has an amazing new look!