LATROBE, Pa. -- The Steelers announced the 2022 Hall of Honor class at Saint Vincent College Saturday, honoring four members of their storied history.
The class includes Heath Miller, Myron Cope, Ray Mathews and Sam Davis.
Miller quickly became a fan-favorite tight end after he was drafted in 2005, earning "Heath" chants that echoed throughout Heinz Field (now Acrisure Stadium) every time he -- or any tight end -- caught a pass. Miller helped the Steelers win two Super Bowls, and leads all tight ends in franchise history with 592 receptions, 6,569 yards and 45 touchdowns.
Even after his 11-year career was over, which included two Pro Bowl appearances, fans continued chanting his name any time a tight end would catch the ball.
"My first reaction was, 'the tight ends are probably annoyed by that,'" Miller said. "To put it in perspective, the appreciation and love from the fan, it never went unappreciated for me. It meant a great deal that they chose that way to show their appreciation for the work I was trying to do for them."
Cope needs no introduction to fans in Pittsburgh. The longtime radio personality established catch phrases that fans still cling to nowadays, but also created perhaps the most treasured item owned by any Steelers fan: the Terrible Towel.
However, Cope was also a very talented sports journalist and a great writer.
"He was one of a kind," said Art Rooney II. "Myron was just a talented guy who knew how to turn it on for Steelers Nation. He was part of I think what really helped us develop such a great fan base."
Mathews was a McKeesport Area High School product that played a nine-year career with the Steelers. He was also a two-time Pro Bowler, was second-team All-Pro in 1952 -- the same season he led the NFL in punt return touchdowns and yards per touch.
Davis was undrafted in 1967, but went on to become part of the offensive line during the Steelers' dominance in the 1970s. He was a member of all four teams that won the Super Bowl during that six-year run, and can easily be overlooked due to the number of Hall of Famers that emerged from that time in franchise history.
"He was a foundation of that line," Rooney said. "I always say that line didn't really get the credit it deserved because they played as a unit for most of the time. There wasn't much turnover in that line over the years. Sam was a key part of it -- a captain -- a very important role on the team overall, and the kind of guy we like to recognize."
