By Jim White
Editor
Heath Miller, a member of Sword's Creek Baptist Church in the Lebanon Baptist Association, is also a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. With the Steelers' Super Bowl win Feb. 5, Heath has just finished a dream rookie season as the starting tight end for the World Championship team.
In his very first regular season professional game on Sept. 11, he caught a pass to score the first touchdown of the year for the Steelers. In a game where most rookies (players in their first season) ride the bench, Heath has more than held his own among more experienced players. In his first year, he caught 39 passes and scored six touchdowns.
Heath's pastor, Chris Music, reports that Swords Creek Baptist moved the starting time of their evening service and brought in a large-screen TV so the congregation could cheer their favorite Steeler.
Their favor, however, did not begin when he was drafted into the pros.
Many of them have known Heath all his life. They have watched him grow up in the church. “He wasn't flamboyant and he didn't brag-not even after he got a football scholarship to the University of Virginia,” remembers Jean Miller (no relation). “Heath is the kind of young man every parent of a young boy might wish their son could be like. He's a very humble person.”
His pastor agrees. “The most impressive aspect of his spiritual life is his humility. Despite all his success in college and now the pros, he has maintained a genuine humility. One of the papers in Pittsburgh did a story about him and they entitled it ‘Humble Heath.' He possesses real leadership quality, but it is unassuming.”
A common comment made by those who know him well is that Heath does not seek the limelight. He is more comfortable when he is not the center of attention. However, standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 256 pounds, it is not easy for Heath to go unnoticed.
Doug Hubbard, a member of Sword's Creek Church and head football coach of Honaker High School, where Heath was a standout quarterback, remembers Heath's leadership ability on and off the field. “Heath is the kind of person who lets his play do the talking for him, but once in a while he speaks out. When he does, his words carry a moral authority. I remember once in a game against Lebanon one of our players made a great reception on a beautifully thrown ball. When he got up from being tackled he had sod stuck in his face mask and he threw this at an opposing player. When he got back to the huddle, Heath told him, ‘If you ever do that again I'll never throw you another pass!' Heath just stood for what was right.”
Church secretary, Sara Whited, adds, “I've known Heath since he was born. He's very conscientious, just a good overall Christian boy.”
If it is true that it takes a village to raise a child, the village of Swords Creek is taking justifiable pride in what they have accomplished. No one here seems to be worried, however, that fame, fortune and success will change Heath. “He is well grounded in his faith and in his family” says Pastor Musick. “He has a wonderful tight-knit family and a small, but very tight community who will help him maintain a sense of balance in his life.”
Even before being drafted by the Steelers, his mother and father were praying for him to meet other Christians on his team and form a bond with them. Their prayers appear to have been answered. Outspoken Christians on the Steelers include wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, defensive standout Troy Polamalu, starting center Jeff Hartings, fullback Dan Kreider, offensive tackle Max Starks and offensive lineman Barrett Brooks.
Also a Christian is quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, whose mother has formed a mutual friendship with Heath's mom.
“We're not really worried about him,” his mother said early in the season. “But his dad and I have always been there for him and we are taking a real interest in helping him be well grounded as he starts his professional career.”
Football, like life, is fleeting. There will come a time when Heath, like others before him, will hang up his cleats to live the rest of his life. When that time comes, (and before then as we have opportunity) Virginia Baptists will happily serve the Lord with Heath through mission trips and other kinds of service. But until then we'll cheer like crazy for one of our own!