Steelers tight end Miller retires after 11 seasons

Washington (AFP) – Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller, a two-time Super Bowl champion, said on Friday he is retiring after 11 NFL seasons.

Miller, who spent his entire career in Pittsburgh, caught 592 passes for 6,569 yards and 45 touchdowns over 168 regular-season games — all Steelers records for tight ends.

But he turned his back on a contract that would have paid him $4.4 million (3.9 million euros) next season.

“I will always cherish and value the special bonds that I formed with my teammates. It was truly an honor for me to take the field with them,” Miller said.

Among all tight ends in NFL history, Miller ranks sixth in catches and ninth in reception yardage.

“Heath is the most accomplished tight end in team history and his efforts will not soon be forgotten,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said.

Miller helped the Steelers win Super Bowl 40 over Seattle 21-10 in 2006 and three years later caught five passes for 57 yards in Pittsburgh’s 27-23 Super Bowl victory over Arizona.

Last season, Miller stretched his streak of games with at least one catch to 103, second only to receiver Hines Ward in club history.

“It has been an honor and a pleasure to coach Heath, to watch him grow and evolve and perform,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said.