LATROBE, Pa. – As they walked out of the locker room daily, set to hit the field for what have been long, hot practices, they heard the cheers from the fans who came from far and wide to be at training camp.

And it meant a lot to the players. It meant a whole lot.

"It was neat to see the fans out here every day," said tight end Heath Miller, who was greeted by chants of 'Heeeath' every time he took the practice field. "It gave us some life on some tougher days at training camp. They inspired us to be our best."

Steelers' fans once again turned out in huge numbers at Saint Vincent College for the team's four-week training camp, some sitting on the hillsides to get their take on the talent on the field, others waiting for autographs.

They were loud, enthusiastic, and their energy gave the players energy, especially receiver Antonio Brown who would do his own part to fire them up during the team's warm-ups.

"It meant everything that the fans came out here, Steelers Nation, every day," said Brown. "It didn't matter if it was hot, or raining, they came out here and they provided us energy. They showed their passion for Steelers football.

"It's always great to have them there. It causes us to be our best."