Change to No. 58 opens new door for Miller by Bre Stephens, Sports Page Editor October 6, 2010
For senior football player Garrett Miller, the past couple of weeks have been full of surprises. Just a few weeks ago while at school, Miller was called down to the high school office to pick up a package he was not expecting. It contained a letter, a Steeler jersey and a Valley News Dispatch newspaper article about Miller dated Aug. 30.
The feature article described how Miller had to change his football number from 18 to 58 this season due to a change in position from tight end to guard. His previous No. 18 has carried great importance and sentimental value in his family for many years. Miller’s grandfather, Don Hunter, and his grandfather’s three brothers all wore No. 18 when they played football for Leechburg in its powerhouse days. Miller’s grandfather passed away this summer, making the change to No. 58 especially rough for Miller.
But the Valley News story about Miller’s changing his jersey number was exactly what caught the attention of the package’s sender, a retired Pittsburgh Steeler, No. 58, perhaps the greatest middle linebacker to have ever played pro football. No. 58 is famous to most Steeler fans – at least the ones who remember the Super Bowl days of ’75, ’76, ’79 and ’80 when Pittsburgh Steelers middle linebacker Jack Lambert wore that number and earned a spot in the football Hall of Fame in 1990.
Lambert’s note to Miller reminded him that No. 58 was not such a bad number to have.
But the story doesn’t end there.
After receiving the jersey, Miller sent Lambert a note thanking him and explaining to Lambert his plan to honor Lambert’s jersey by having it professionally framed. Soon after he sent the note, Miller received another package, this time at home. Lambert sent a second jersey with a second note telling Miller that there was no point in owning a No. 58 Lambert jersey if he couldn’t wear it, so Lambert was making sure Miller had one to frame and one to wear.
“I’ve never met him [Lambert] personally,” Miller said, “and it was great that he would do that so randomly out of the blue.”
But the story doesn’t end here either.
Last week, Miller won the KDKA Extra Effort award given to athletes who not only excel in the classroom but also on the court or field. When Miller found out he had won this award, he said he was in shock and couldn’t believe it had happened.
“I think I’m well-rounded and not just all about football,” he said. “I’m in a lot of different activities and I work to excel in school. I think that set me apart.” That’s exactly what Pittsburgh’s KDKA TV sports anchor Bob Pompeani told the entire Leechburg student body – elementary and high school students alike.
Miller was honored on Sept. 28 with an assembly in the gymnasium where Pompeani presented Miller with a plaque and the school district with a $200 award. The segment will be shown on the 6 p.m. KDKA evening news Oct. 14.
Posted by "Chris Claypool" on April 3, at 11:31 p.m.
I never knew that the Garret's football number had any signifigance for him. It must have been very hard for him to make the transition from No. 18. Also, I think that it is awesome that a football Hall of Famer sent Garret two signed jerseys. It is also amazing that somebody from little Leechburg won the Extra Effort Award. (Belated) Congratulations, Garret!
Hates 'reality' TV
Posted by "Jacob Iellimo" on February 22, at 11:48 a.m.
In my opinion, reality TV is stupid! Think about it; it's not really "reality." I think it is all staged. Reality TV is used to get laughs out of people. And for most people, they love it. I guess I am that small percentage that completely hates it.
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