It's funny, I always liked watching football with my dad on Sundays growing up, but I was never really a fan until I started dating my husband.  Now, after almost three years together, I know more about sports than I ever thought possible.  That's three years of doing nothing but watch football on Sundays during the season.  I am definitely a fan.  I have a team I love now and players that make it exciting to watch the game unfold.  I am a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and these are my five favorite players.

Number five is tight end, Heath Miller. Miller was born on October 22, 1982 in Richlands, Virginia. He attended college at the University of Virginia and entered the NFL Draft in 2005. He was the Steelers first round draft pick; the 30th overall. He is 6'5" and weighs 256 pounds but when he gets the ball, he moves it down the field. So far this season, he has 40 receptions for 353 yards and 4 touchdowns. That averages out to about 8.8 yards per carry. He's in his fifth season now and has become one of Big Ben's "go to" guys when he needs to make things happen on the field. Miller won the 2004 John Mackey Award and the 2005 Joe Greene Great Performance Award.

 Number four is outside linebacker, James Harrison.  Born on May 4, 1978 in Akron, Ohio; Harrison is the youngest of fourteen children.  He attended Kent State University and signed with the Steelers in 2002 as an undrafted rookie.  He spent two years playing on the practice squad on and off.  He played on the active squad for a brief time at the end of the 2002 season on special teams.  He was actually cut from the Steelers and did a brief stint with the Baltimore Ravens in 2003-2004.  After being cut from the Ravens, he was signed by the Steelers again.  Harrison didn't become a regular starter until the 2007 offseason after Coach Bill Cowher retired and Mike Tomlin took over.  Tomlin was smart, Harrison exploded on the scene.  In 2008, he became the first undrafted player to receive the AP Defensive Player of the Year.  Twice he's won the AFC Defensive Player of the Month.  In 2008, he also won the GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Year, the Tuesday Morning Quarterback (Non-QB Non-RB) Award and the NFL MVP Award.  After Super Bowl 43, he now has the longest play in Super Bowl history from his 100 yard interception return for a touchdown against the Cardinals.  He's also been selected to the Pro Bowl twice.  Last season, he had 16 sacks, 67 tackles, 7 forced fumbles and 1 interception.  So far this season he has 8 sacks, 41 tackles and 4 forced fumbles.  This is a man you can count on to get the job done defensively.

Number three is wide receiver, Hines Ward. Ward was born on March 18, 1976 in Seoul, South Korea. He attended the University of Georgia where he played quarterback. In the 1998 NFL Draft, the Steelers picked Ward in the third round. He was the 92nd overall pick. Hines Ward was the MVP of Super Bowl 40 and he's been selected to the Pro Bowl four times. He was Steelers MVP in 2003 and the co-MVP twice; once in 2002 and again in 2005. Ward holds the Steelers career records for Receptions, Receiving Yards and Receiving Touchdowns. As of 2009, he has 833 career receptions for 10,220 yards and 73 touchdowns. Ward is currently in his twelfth NFL season and is 5th in the league with 602 receiving yards. He has 42 receptions and 2 touchdowns this season, so far. That's a whopping 14.3 yards per carry. Hines Ward is an all-around impressive player. He's known for his aggressive blocking and his wide smile. Nine times out of ten, he can be counted on to make the important play when it counts.

Number two is "Big Ben" Roethlisberger, the quarterback. Ben was born on March 21, 1982 in Lima, Ohio but he grew up in Findlay, Ohio. Ben attended Miami University of Ohio. He entered the NFL Draft in 2004 and was the 11th overall pick. Big Ben is known for his ability to move his 6'5", 241 pound frame in the pocket and out of it. He's the youngest starting quarterback to ever win the Super Bowl and the second youngest to play in a Super Bowl, behind Dan Marino. He has the most regular season wins in a season for a rookie quarterback with thirteen in 2004. He also has the most wins as a starting quarterback in his first five NFL seasons with 51 wins between 2004-2008 in the regular season. He has the longest regular season win streak to start a career for a NFL quarterback with 15 games won. He won all 13 starts in 2004 and the first 2 in 2005. He has the highest passer rating in a rookie season at 98.1% and the highest completion percentage in a rookie season at 66.4%. Ben's the only quarterback to ever register two perfect passing games in one regular season. In 2004, Ben won the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year and the Joe Greene Great Performance Award. He was selected to the 2007 Pro Bowl. Roethlisberger received the biggest contract in Steelers history when he signed a deal that'll bring him $102 million for 8 years. Ben's biggest weakness is also his biggest strength; he has a tendency to hold on to the ball too long due to his success in making plays when under pressure. So far this season, Ben is 3rd in the league with 2,062 passing yards. He's thrown 11 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. His quarterback rating is 102.6%. When all is said and done, I'm proud to have him as my team's quarterback.

My number one, very favorite Steeler is strong safety, Troy Polamalu.  Born on April 19, 1981 in Garden Grove, California, Troy attended USC and was the 16th overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft.  The Steelers traded up to draft him in the first round.  He is the only safety to ever be drafted in the first round by the Steelers.  He won the 2003 Joe Greene Great Performance Award and was selected to the Pro Bowl five times.  He ended last season with 54 tackles and 7 interceptions.  He missed four games this season due to a sprained MCL but still has 16 tackles and 2 interceptions so far.  Troy is a very dynamic player.  He changes the entire face of the defense.  He goes out there and launches himself like a human missile to wherever the ball is.  He is a play maker and a thorn in the side of many a quarterback; they always have to be aware of his location on the field.  He's very good at reading quarterbacks intentions and will intercept a pass if the ball is in his vicinity.

These are my five favorite players from my team.  I hope you enjoyed reading this hub.  Go Steelers!