great Heath Miller article

[otto_man]

http://www.timesnews.net/article.dna?_StoryID=3597471

[starbuck]

at least somebody in this area has a brain to print something on Heath.

Honaker hero: Little town psyched up for big game
Sunday, February 05, 2006

By RAIN SMITH
Reporter


Honaker Elementary students Matthew Parks (left) and Hunter Eaton get the school decked out for Sunday's Super Bowl, which will feature Honaker native Heath Miller playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rain Smith photo.

HONAKER, Va. - As the country's attention turns toward Sunday's Super Bowl XL in Detroit, residents of a tiny Russell County town feel the limelight shining on them as well.

"Go Steelers," reads the sign over the street as you enter Honaker. "We Support Our Hometown Boy Heath Miller #83."

The sentiment is echoed everywhere you turn, as similar messages of encouragement dominate storefront windows and schoolhouse halls. While Honaker High School's Heath Miller prepares for the game of his life as a rookie tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the approximately 1,200 people of the town and surrounding communities feel a part of themselves under the helmet with him.

THE TOWN

At New People's Bank, a banner proclaims, "Heath Miller Fans Work Here." At Country Creations downtown, a mannequin torso in the window sports a Steelers Jersey, surrounded by balloons and a wreath bearing Miller's name and number. Outside the Honaker High School office, a bulletin board is adorned with "83 reasons we love Heath Miller."

By Wednesday of last week, Honaker Florist owner Anita Davis had used 500 feet of black and gold ribbon. On Friday, pep rallies were held at Honaker and Swords Creek elementary schools, working children into a fever pitch in support of the town's favorite son.

Quite simply, as several townsfolk will tell you, nothing this big has ever hit - or happened to a native of - Honaker. A few mention the girl who was named Miss Teen Virginia, but as one man respectfully points out, "this is the Super Bowl."

"The old saying, "?it takes a village to raise a child,' that's true to an extent," said Doug Hubbard, Honaker High School head football coach. "You take your school atmosphere, your church atmosphere and home life - I think everybody feels (Miller) represents us to a certain point."

Even those who had never watched a down of football until this year are now bleeding black and gold. From a back office of his hardware store - front windows covered with cardboard football cutouts bearing #83 - Honaker Mayor C.H. Wallace talks of a 70-year-old woman he knows who bought a Miller jersey.

"People that don't follow football have gotten on board because of the local ties," Wallace said.

"I don't think anyone could have realistically predicted this."

Just outside town, Jeff Hess, owner of Bucks and Bass Sporting Goods, supports Wallace's observation. Wearing a Steelers hat, Hess says the only sport he used to watch was a little NASCAR. Likewise for his 65-year-old father. But this fall the Sunday ritual was to come home from church, flip on the tube, and watch Miller and his Steelers in action.

"I say, "?Now focus, Daddy. He's doing more than just catching,'" said Hess, 35. ""?Watch him, he's making key blocks.'"

At David's Deli and Grocery, Don Compton reminisces about watching Miller play ball as a youth and realizing, "that boy'll go somewhere."

"Some of these girls that work here had never watched football in their life," said Compton, 43, bagging groceries for a customer. "But since he got drafted, they watch every one of his games."

According to Miller's mother, Denise, she and husband Earl are keeping all the Honaker hoopla under the rug from their son. For the time being they'd rather not add any extra stress before the Super Bowl.

"We've tried to not lay a lot on him right now," Denise Miller said. "I don't think Heath even realizes what an impact he has had."

THE KIDS

Nowhere is that impact more evident than the local elementary schools, where halls are lined with hand-painted posters in Miller's honor. Friday, Swords Creek Elementary held a pep rally in honor of the most famous student to grace its halls, the entire student body of 140 wearing shirts that read, "My Swords Creek Hero," with Miller's name and number on the back.

Students at Honaker Elementary are equally enthusiastic. Not since Santa Claus has a name evoked such a response as Miller's.

"So, are there any Heath Miller fans in here?" a third-grade class is asked.

Eyes pop wide as saucers. The hands of two dozen 8- and 9-year-olds simultaneously dart into the air.

"So, why do you like Heath?"

"Because he's our hometown player, he ain't a showboat, and pretty much a good player," said 9-year-old Brett Newberry, who wore a Steelers shirt.

"He has good character," said Jenna Fry, 9.

"When he scores and everything, he don't showboat and everything," said Jacob Dye, 8.

According to Assistant Principal Jennifer Eaton, school officials couldn't dream up a better role model for the students than Miller. Saying he's idolized by the children of this rural community, Eaton said Miller's character and scholastic performance at the University of Virginia have given educators an upper hand in shepherding children down the path to success.

"Honaker is a small community, and I feel (Miller's success) is something tangible everybody can relate to," Eaton said. "The kids see that through Heath, whether it's the NFL or not, you can do whatever you want to do, but it takes work and commitment."

Eaton's ties to Miller go back to her early days as an educator, serving as physical education instructor at Swords Creek Elementary. She recalls a kind, warmhearted Miller who strove to make everyone feel welcome.

"It didn't matter what kind of home life anybody came from, or how dirty they were, he made them feel important," Eaton said, eyes welling with tears. "When nobody else would pick them (for a team to play sports) Heath would say, "?Come over here and be on my team.' That just rips my heart out but is probably the best thing I remember about him. To me, that goes far beyond any athletic gift."

THE COACH

Honaker head football coach Doug Hubbard has known Miller since he was a toddler. Of course, as he points out, in a community such as Honaker everyone knows everyone else - if not directly then through association.

"The town is ecstatic, and they should be," said Hubbard from an office adjoining the Honaker High School weight room. "How often does someone from a small community like this, or anywhere in this area, reach the pinnacle? The Super Bowl in the United States is bigger than the Olympics."

Occasionally, Hubbard tilts his head out the door, telling athletes lifting weights to quiet down or turn off their music. One wears a Miller jersey and another a Steelers shirt.

"(Miller) shows these young people regardless of what they want to do, they can get it done," Hubbard said.

"It's great to see a town, a community, get this excited about one of its own. It shows that people care."

For Hubbard, Miller's being drafted by the Steelers was a dream come true. A Pittsburgh fan for nearly four decades, he says a win Sunday night with a Miller touchdown would cap off the perfect season.

THE FAMILY

This time last year, Heath Miller's family was consumed with unanswered questions of who would draft Miller, praying it would be a city close enough for them to be a part of the experience. With Pittsburgh being a 5½-hour drive from Honaker, mother Denise Miller says the Steelers ended up being the perfect fit, as they travel to all home games.

However, watching isn't always easy for Denise. She admits the games wreak havoc on her nerves and make her nauseous.

"I'm a crier anyway, but it's just humbling to know that God has blessed him with such a talent, and paved the way for him to be where he's at," Denise said. "Sitting and watching him play, I know that's where it comes from."

As for Heath feeling important, Denise says screaming fans don't really amount to much. Unable to attend the first two playoff games in early January, Denise said her son was urging his parents to be in attendance for the AFC Championship match in Denver.

"You realize that after the games, it doesn't matter how many people are screaming and yelling for them," Denise said. "If they don't have family, they don't have a reason to come out (of the locker room) and really take it in. When you see that, it's really evident how important family really is."

[luvLPDsports]

tremendous article.

[imported_biggamesjames]

Yeah thats a good story. He was really quiet in the game Sunday and the average fan wouldn't have even known he was on the field if not for a couple of penalties he picked up...however, if you are a more serious football enthusiast you would have noticed some very good blocking from his TE position. He was pretty much an extension of the O-Line driving his man off the ball with regularity.