The Pittsburgh Steelers have a storied history that includes plenty of legendary Hall of Fame players. Six Super Bowl titles do not happen by accident, and there are other contributors that don't get nearly enough credit for what they did for the city and how they performed while wearing the Black and Gold. One of the unsung heroes of the 21st century championship teams was Heath Miller. He served as an awesome security blanket for Ben Roethlisberger and has always been viewed as a selfless, yet pivotal teammate.
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Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and former tight end Heath Miller celebrate on the field together after being part of a big play during a home game at then-Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.
After retiring following the 2015 campaign, the tight end has stayed humble and remained out of the public eye for the most part. Recently, Miller sat down with SteelerNation to talk about post-football life and what he is currently doing to stay active within the community. On Super Bowl Sunday, Novartis launched a campaign with tight ends to help raise awareness for prostate cancer.
Miller is part of the initiative and opened up about exactly why he wanted to be included. Cancer can affect everyone, and catching something early can make a huge difference.
"Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among men in the US," Miller said. "I was happy to partner with Novartis with their Relax: It's a Blood Test campaign because it's a really simple thing. The best game plan for prostate cancer is early detection, and it's as simple as a blood test, so I would encourage all guys out there to stay on top of your health. Talk to your healthcare provider."
Miller was very clear that he believes everyone should go to the Relax: It's a Blood Test campaign's official website to read the information so men understand if it is time for them to get the blood test that can help with early detection. According to Nielsen, over 125 million people tuned in to watch Super Bowl LX. This campaign reached so many, and likely already has a positive effect on men everywhere.
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Retired Steelers tight end Heath Miller runs with the football during a professional football game.
Almost 66% of men avoid prostate cancer screening because they believe some kind of physical exam is necessary. Overall, this idea has been debunked because all it takes is a blood test, which is why Novartis and former athletes such as Miller are trying to bring awareness to the true nature of what is involved when paying attention to their health. Miller detailed some more regarding why this was the right campaign for him to get involved in.
"I think partnering with the tight end commercial that took place in the Super Bowl, there was an uptick of guys getting screened there, and me being a tight end, it was just an easy match," Miller noted. "I think, as I said, you know, as we get older in life, we need to be mindful of our health and this is an easy thing that we all can do."
PSA blood tests are a simple, yet effective way to keep men everywhere in tune with what is going on with their health. Fans interested in learning more can also find @relaxitsabloodtest on Instagram and Facebook. Age, race/ethnicity and family history are all important things to pay attention to, which is noted on the initiative's website. It also mentions that anyone who has a prostate is at risk.
"Anyone with a prostate is at risk for prostate cancer—no butts about it. That said, according to screening guidelines, there are a few factors that can increase risk, which help determine when someone should get screened."
A lot of former professional football players get involved in their communities, and it's clear that Miller saw this as a great fit for him. If he can help this campaign reach even just a few thousand men worldwide, it would be well worth his time and efforts.
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Legendary Steelers tight end Heath Miller waves to the home crowd at Acrisure Stadium during an on-field ceremony.
Steelers And Pittsburgh Will Always Be Thankful For Miller
While his stats didn't always light up the box score, Miller will forever be a favorite in the Steel City. It's great to hear that after two Super Bowl wins and a heck of a career, he is still involved with a campaign that is very meaningful in the grand scheme of things. He was adamant about how cancer can affect everyone, which is one of the reasons it has been important for him to support this cause.
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