Steelers Great Heath Miller Absolutely Hated The Ravens But Loved Them At The Same Time

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some heated battles with their AFC North foes over the years. Every divisional match up feels intense, but nothing compares to a Steelers and Baltimore Ravens game. The Steelers are 35-25 in 60 games against the Ravens since 1996 when Art Modell formed the team in Baltimore. Both the Steelers and Ravens have won two Super Bowls since 2000. The early-mid 2000s matchups between the teams were notoriously some of the most brutal, hard-hitting football games the NFL has seen and with the new rules in place to protect players, the league will probably never see football played that way again.

Former Steelers tight end Heath Miller knows all about the rivalry with Baltimore. Miller was a first round draft pick in 2005 and spent the entirety of his 11-year career with the Steelers. He had 67 catches for 687 yards and 6 touchdowns in 22 games against the Ravens, but what he was tasked to do as a blocker might be more impressive. Baltimore consistently had one of the best defenses in football during Milller's career featuring Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs. Miller was always known for his tough and gritty style of play and because of that, he was beloved in Pittsburgh and still is to this day.

Miller was on the Not Just Football w/ Cam Heyward podcast and gave some insight into how he felt about the heated AFC North rivalry. Heyward asked which team Miller hated playing against.

"I mean I hated and loved the Ravens because they were built just like us. We knew every game was going to be physical, you're going to be sore for a while afterwards... a while afterwards, but you also love it because I felt like it brought out the best of both sides... Those are the games you'll remember."

Steelers-Ravens games were always must-watch TV at the peak of their rivalry. The games felt like a heavy-weight boxing match whether it was in September or the AFC Championship with a trip to the Super Bowl. As much as Steelers fans hate the Ravens, there's nothing they'd rather do than watch a gritty Steelers-Ravens game on Sunday Night Football with a final score of 13-10. While the rivalry is still alive today, it will likely never replicate the brutality of two teams from the 2000s both trying to win with defense before the player safety initiative commenced.

Miller was a huge fan favorite amongst Steelers fans and truly a franchise tight end. The chants of "HEEEAAAATHHHH" echoed through then-Heinz Field, as well as opposing stadiums, living rooms and bars across America every time Miller caught a pass. 

Legendary Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger was drafted a year before Miller and found a quick connection with his tight end that lasted 11 years. Miller seemed to always be on the same page with Roethlisberger and became his token security blanket on big third downs and late in games.

Miller was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Steelers, but doesn't likely have the resume to make it to Canton as a Pro Football Hall of Famer, but he'll certainly never be forgotten in Pittsburgh. Miller is a two-time Super Bowl champion and arguably the best tight end in Steelers' history

Former Steelers Tight End Heath Miller Still Has Nightmares About Blocking Terrell Suggs

Although Lewis and Reed were two of the best defensive players in football during Miller's career, he was matched up against Suggs a lot of the time when he was asked to block. Suggs amassed 139 career sacks and was a problem for offensive tackles, let alone a tight end. That was just part of the rivalry though. Miller had to line up face to face with Suggs and keep Roethlisberger safe.

What were some of your favorite moments from the early-mid 2000s Steelers-Ravens matchups? Let us know in the comments below!

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