Steelers tight end Heath Miller was named to the USA Football All-Fundamentals Team. The team honors 26 NFL players, 11 each on offense and defense and four on special teams, who exhibit the fundamentals and techniques of football that provide proper examples for youth football players.
"Fundamentals are something I have tried to embrace," said Miller. "That is what will carry you throughout your career. If you are able to be sound technically and fundamentally you'll be able to do your job most of the time."
Miller has drawn praise throughout his career not just for his pass-catching, but also his blocking skills.
"It's something I learned in college and it carried over to the professional level," said Miller. "As a tight end you are asked to block guys who are bigger and most of the time stronger than you, so you have to use proper fundamentals to get the job done."
He also understands that playing fundamentally sound football and learning the proper techniques starting at a young age is a key to safety.
"It's very important," said Miller. "Football is a physical sport. You have to learn to play the game the proper way and the safest way that you can play it because it is obviously very dangerous if you don't do that."
Miller will receive a $1,500 grant from USA Football to donate to the youth or high school program of his choice.
Miller's technique, as well as those of the other winners, is available via NFL game footage at www.usafootball.com/all-fundamentals-team.
