Steelers' Heath Miller Detailed Why Ben Roethlisberger Was Toughest Player He Ever Knew

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been known for many dynamic duos over the years, but one pairing stands out both on and off the field. That is quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger and tight end, Heath Miller. 

Miller, a first-round draft pick, joined the Steelers in 2005, just one year after Roethlisberger was drafted. Miller and Roethlisberger formed an immediate connection and their on-field chemistry led to the team winning Super Bowl XL and then three years later, Super Bowl XLIII.

Miller sat down with Bob Pompeani, the sports director/anchor from KDKA in Pittsburgh. They discussed the special bond that Miller and Roethlisberger have. 

Steelers' Miller and Roethlisberger Forged A Bond Of Steel

Pompeani told Miller that Roethlisberger always credits with being the player he feels most comfortable with. He said when he needed a play to be made, he dialed up Miller. Miller agreed their bond is special:

"Well we are only a year apart, he was drafted before me. I was fortunate, not many guys can say they played their whole career, for me that was 11 years, with one Hall of Fame quarterback."

Miller said playing with Roethlisberger was like being in the backyard as a kid. Pompeani mentioned how much Roethlisberger likes to move around, pump fake and work off-script:

"He could trust me in that way. As someone who's an intended receiver or someone running that route, you just keep going. I feel like my job was easy, I would just get open and he would find me there—no set rules."

Miller played quarterback at his high school in a small town, Swords Creek, in southwestern Virginia. He attended the University of Virginia and made the transition to tight end under coach Al Groh's direction. Miller understands the mind of the quarterback and how it works:

"I used to play quarterback, don't roll right and throw left. So I was like ok, I gotta get into his vision and get open and he'll find me."

Roethlisberger and Miller formed more than just a working relationship, they became close friends:

"I think it's probably something where we've played 11 years together, we've been through different seasons of life, we've seen each other go through different seasons of life and so I think those experiences are just a natural bond for people. We've seen each other in good times and bad times. For me, on my end, I always just tried to be a consistent place for him and you know, he was the same for me."

Something else Roethlisberger and Miller have in common is their extraordinary toughness:

"When you play tight end and you catch balls in the middle of the field for a living, you're going to take some hits and I take a lot of pride in no matter how hard they hit me, I wanted to get up and make sure to pretend it didn't hurt. I wanted to walk off the field or get back to the huddle and let them know that it didn't bother me."

Pompeani asked Miller about Roethlisberger and his toughness. Miller said he had a story to share:

"We're in Baltimore in the huddle and I think Haloti Ngata had sacked him earlier in the game or maybe even the play before. We had a timeout and he comes back into the huddle and I'm standing like this, across from him in the huddle, it's usually loud in Baltimore so I'm locked in on his face to see his mouth moving. I see his nose and it's going like this (makes a zig-zag motion on his face with his finger). My reaction was like, 'Oh!' I don't even think I remembered the play and I had to ask someone else what the play was again. He said he didn't know his nose was that messed up until he looked in the mirror at halftime.   

"I know he continued that game and we ended up winning that game. That's just a little snippet that explains how tough he was."

Miller has become the benchmark by which all other tight ends are judged in Pittsburgh. What do you think of the relationship he had with Roethlisberger? Did you view either of them as an exceptionally tough players? Do you remember the Roethlisberger to MIller magic connection? Click to comment below. 

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