Heath Miller Wins Pittsburgh’s 2013 Ed Block Courage Award

Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

"He [Heath Miller] is the best, … There was never a doubt that he was going to come back. I know Heath, I know him too well. He works so hard and his passion for the game to come back is like nobody else I have seen. I have always said he is the best tight end in the game, and he is one of the best, if not the best teammate I have ever played with in my entire life in all sports. I love him to death and am so proud of him that he won the award.-Ben Roethlisberger (shares his thoughts on Heath Miller, Steelers.com)"

Ever since he was selected with the 30th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, Heath Miller has been a mainstay at the tight end position for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Productive as a pass-catcher (425 catches, 4,886 yards, 40 touchdowns) and a run-blocker, the former Virginia Cavalier has been an enormous reason behind this franchise’s collective success during the last decade.

A two-time Super Bowl champion, a two-time “Pro Bowler,” and the team’s 2005 Rookie of the Year, Miller earned another accolade today when Teresa Varley of Steelers.com reported that his teammates named the tight end the winner of the franchise’s 2013 Ed Block Courage Award.

The fact that Miller received this honor is not shock, especially when one considers that the annual award recognizes a player who “has fought back from an injury or tough circumstances to return to the field.”

As most of us unfortunately remember, it was only 10 short months ago when Miller had his knee mangled during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. In the midst of a career-year, Miller devastating injury cost him the rest of the regular season and was thought to sideline him for an extended period this fall.

Pittsburgh’s tight end however is one tough and determined hombre, and he managed to suit up for Pittsburgh’s third regular season game this fall after eight months of extensive rehab and a successful surgery on his injured knee.

So kudos to you for being recognized, Heath Miller.

You certainly deserve the award, and your teammates and the rest of “Steeler Nation” could not be more proud of you and your success.

Stats & Contract Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com , Spotrac, and Pro Football Reference

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