Big Ben 7, The Official Site of Super Bowl Champion Ben Roethlisberger

From Nick Veronica, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Ken Roethlisberger felt a new kind of pride this weekend when he played host to his son for dinner: it was Ben’s first Father’s Day as a dad, and Ken’s first as a grandparent.

“It’s nice to see [Ben] in that role,” Ken Roethlisberger said Monday while taking in Ben’s Football ProCamp at Seneca Valley High School. “It’s fun to watch him and Benjamin — he’s so small in his arms. He’s doing a good job so far. He gets down on the ground and plays with him — it’s great.”

Former quarterback and current broadcaster Rich Gannon once said that becoming a father made him a better quarterback in that he became “more disciplined.” Since Benjamin Jr. was born in November, Roethlisberger has started to understand the connection.

“I feel like having a child, especially a son, makes you very patient,” Ben said. “It was enjoyable to have my first Father’s Day and be around family — that’s what’s important to me.”

“It was nice having the whole family together,” Ken added. “We went to church in the morning all together. They came to our house and his wife, Ashley, cooked dinner — a cheese pasta with chicken in it. Delicious.”

While players across the league, from Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson to now free-agent linebacker Bart Scott have expressed concerns about letting their sons play football, Roethlisberger –who has absorbed injuries to nearly every part of his body while playing for the Steelers — said as long as Benjamin Jr. wants to play, it’s fine by him.

Ashley and Benjamin Jr. paced the sidelines of the football field Monday while Ben and a slew of coaches mentored about 500 boys and girls at Roethlisberger’s annual two-day camp.

The kids, ages 7 to 14, went through various drills designed to teach proper catching and throwing techniques before scrimmages. A few lucky campers got to catch a pass from Roethlisberger, right knee remained wrapped two weeks removed from arthroscopic surgery.

Unlike past camps, Roethlisberger rode a bike around the complex in order to see more groups.

“It helps me get around faster than walking, and its probably better for my knee doing a little rehabbing while I’m helping the kids,” he said.


You can read more here.


Photo credit: Larry Roberts/Post-Gazette

“My biggest thing is I always say I emphasize three things – teamwork, sportsmanship and having fun. So, to me, that’s what it’s about and as I ride by the kids are all waving and stuff and I try to get them to keep focused on football, but really they are out here having fun.” – Ben

From CBS Pittsburgh this evening:

Hundreds of kids spent the day passing and catching and learning the ropes of football.

Their coach, Ben Roethlisberger, is one of the best in the business.

Ben’s annual football Procamp kicked off Monday morning.

“It’s a lot of fun. This is my fifth year coming. I’ve been here every year and it’s always been really exciting,” one camper said.

More than 500 kids were having a blast while learning about football. From passing and catching to different drills the young athletes worked hard.

“We try and keep it to offense obviously, but I just saw some kids doing a toss sweep, learning how to run the ball, some wide receiver drills and obviously quarterback drills,” Roethlisberger said.

The kids were divided into teams and local high school coaches worked one-on-one with the first through eighth graders.

Ben makes the rounds and stops by each group to offer advice and teaching techniques. By the end of camp, each kid will have the opportunity to catch a pass from the quarterback.

Though, Ben is riding around on a bicycle, instead of walking because his right knee is still recovering after surgery.

“Doing good. I’m just getting around a lot better on a bike so I can get around faster, so I can get to more kids,” Roethlisberger said.


You can read more here.



The first day of Big Ben’s Football Camp is over, and we’ve already received many photos and comments from parents and other family members who were in attendance watching their excited youngsters on the field with #7:

Jackson Ritter is at camp with his grandpa and called his mom back home in VA with his Day 1 report -

“I just talked to Jackson and he had a blast!! He said it was ‘Awesome’ and that Big Ben gave him a high five – on Jackson’s right hand (he reminded me that is HIS throwing arm) haha. My dad said he saw Ben all morning on the field. I can tell you that with all that excitement from Jackson, I can only imagine it combined between all the kids. How cool!” – Erin Ritter



“Thanks Ben for being so good with the Kids!! Love my Steelers!!” – Michela Woofter

“We were there today and our son had a blast! He can’t wait for tomorrow! Great camp Ben!” – Jamie Landry

“I must say I am a big Ben Roethlisberger fan now (I was before but he’s got me after today). He interacted with all kids at camp throughout the event and walked around to all groups, even with his knee injury. He was heard all day saying ‘great catch’, ‘good throw’, ‘nice hustle’, etc. to the campers. He answered questions they had, threw some passes and even participated in a few plays. What a great role model for all the kids. On a side note, the song ‘Gangham style’ was playing over the loudspeaker by the camp staff and Ben told them that was not to be played at his camp; I appreciate that he immediately addressed the song. As a school principal, I understand it’s seen as a fun song to all the kids but if you listen to the lyrics it’s not appropriate for the young ones. Bravo to him for catching it and everything else he did today. He’s a class act and one I’m glad my boys look up to. I’m off to buy my Roethlisberger jersey now! Thanks!” – Stacey Clark, mother of camper Zachary Fuska


“My son Maddox Koser attended the camp. His dad Bart asked him which drill he liked the best and his response was ALL OF THEM!” – Danielle Koser, Shamokin/Coal Township, PA


“Awesome camp, my son is six and very promising with his athletic ability and desire to compete. This camp has helped him so much. We came from southern West Virginia to the camp and will return next year!” – Britt Beasley


“My son had a great time at camp today! Very well organized and professional. Can’t wait till tomorrow!” – Lori Marshall

“My son hasn’t stopped talking about it, we are here in the ‘burgh for the camp from Northern Virginia. Ben is a great host. Thank you for making Hunter’s year!” – Ryan Myers

“My son, Ryan Landry is 7-years old! He was so excited to get to camp this morning that he was up and ready to go at 5:30am! He absolutely loved his first day! He loves the coaches and his teammates! He was in awe that he was playing football on the same field as Ben! What a great camp for the kids, very organized and fun for everyone! He can’t wait for tomorrow! Thank you for a great experience!” – Jamie Landry


“What an experience!! Big Ben’s camp exceeded our expectations. My nephew Garrett never stopped smiling! An extra bonus, Garrett met Ben’s dad, too!” – Risa Candelore


“I can’t believe the first day of Ben’s camp has come and gone already!! But, it was a beautiful day, good weather and a full camp…kids as far as you could see! LOL! Poor Ben, though, still has his knee all bandaged up so he divided his time around being on foot, on a bicycle and in a golf cart. But nothing seemed to slow him down! Actually he was able to get around to see all the kids playing their 7 or 7 games even faster being in the cart. At one point, I was standing in the field taking pictures of my grandson and suddenly there was Ben, driving right behind me in the golf cart. He probably wasn’t 5 feet away as he came from behind and around to my side before he was off again!” – Anita Doddroe

“Ben said ‘Hi’, shook Dylan’s hand and called him ‘Little Troy’. Made his whole trip!!” – Erik Vasquez, whose son does look like a mini-Troy!

“Carter Lutz had a blast at camp today and can’t wait until tomorrow!” – Tara Lutz


“It was so exciting to meet Ashley and Benjamin, Jr.! We also got to say ‘hi’ to Ben as he drove by on the golf cart!! – Camryn “Cami” Marshall


“Myles and Connor traveled all the way from Charlotte NC just for Big Ben’s camp!!” – Rachel Haines


“Kids are having a blast !! Looking forward to tomorrow!” – Cress Sowry


“T.D. aka ‘Maryland’ as he was called today (lol), had a blast at camp today !! He is so pumped for tomorrow !!!! Thanks!” – Todd Robinson


Fourteen-year old Andrew Ziegler caught a 50-yard pass from Big Ben today -

“What an amazing experience this camp has been for both my sons…their Dad, CDR Mark Ziegler, is serving our country in Afghanistan and had given them the Camp as a gift for their birthdays…Mark was able to view the video and must have watched it at least a hundred times…proud Dad!!” – Dena Ziegler


You can see all the photos here.

From the article, “Steelers players share thoughts on their dads” by Teresa Varley, at Steelers.com this Father’s Day morning!




“My dad is my hero. I want to be half the father he was to me. He means everything to me. I am very lucky to grow up with the father I have.” – Ben.



You can read more & see photos of Ben’s teammates with their fathers here!



*Thank you to Ms. Varley!

From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:

The Steelers will officially kick off their 2013 season when the team reports to training camp on Friday, July 26, at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. This will be the 48th year the Steelers will train at Saint Vincent College.

The first open practice to the public is scheduled for Saturday, July 27. The first practice in pads for the Steelers is scheduled for Monday, July 29. All practices that are open to the public are scheduled from 3-5 p.m.

The Steelers annual night practice at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium will take place on Friday, August 2, at 7 p.m. Additionally, the Steelers will hold an evening practice at Saint Vincent College on Wednesday, August 14, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The last scheduled practice open to the public will be on Saturday, August 17. The team’s 2013 training camp will break on Sunday, August 18, one day prior to the Steelers’ game at Washington.

The complete schedule for the Steelers’ 2013 training camp will be released in the upcoming weeks.


For the most up to date information, please visit www.steelers.com.


*Thank you to fan Marilyn McClellan for snapping this photo of Ben taken during last summer’s training camp!

Would you like to win free tickets to the Kenny Chesney concert at Heinz Field next weekend, June 22nd?




Just follow @heinzfield for details on how you can enter!! That’s right, Heinz Field has it’s own Twitter account! You’ll get updates for all the happenings at the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh Football Team!


*Thank you to the Steelers for the use of the photo!

“People said why not earlier. Well, we wanted to try to see if we could manage. I’d come in on Tuesday to practice and it would feel good, and by Thursday, it was almost like a tire was slowly losing air. It kind of hurt me on Thursday. We figured it was time to get it done. Doctors agreed and said let’s do it now.” – Ben

Ben was at Steelers mini-camp this morning and answered a few questions from the media about the surgery on his knee:


How does the knee feel?

It feels great. I saw Dr. (Jim) Bradley this morning, and he was pleasantly surprised with the range of motion and where we are at, and the swelling. So, it feels great. I’ve been off crutches for a couple of days now. I’m moving around good. I think I could play Sunday if I had to.


Is the discomfort gone?

It’s still too early to tell. According to Dr. Bradley the surgery went really well. My knee is in great shape. They took care of the little problem. It had been bothering me a little last year, and we decided now is the time to take care of it.


More cleanup than repair?

Absolutely. There was no repair. It was just clean up.


Re: Same cleanup on the other knee:

The same knee. There were some reports but it was the same knee. So it was a very similar thing.


What will you do this week?

Watch. I’ll ride the bike a lot. That’s pretty much it. I will be here to support the quarterbacks, offense and coaches. I’ll do whatever I can do just to add moral support.


Are you broken up that you will miss minicamp?

It’s killing me, actually. It tears me up [Laughs].


Did you get enough work in during the last couple of weeks?

Yeah, I was here for every practice. I felt good. Honestly, I don’t ever like to miss practice but I’ll be ready for training camp.


You can read more from Ms. Varley at Steelers.com here.

You can also watch the video of Ben’s interview here.

This marks the seventh grant cycle for the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation. The majority of the grants distributed will help K-9 units to purchase dogs and dog safety vests, but other types of needs are also considered.


The Foundation will be distributing grants in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away game for the Steelers during the 2013-14 season.

The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation invites police and fire departments in these eight cities to submit proposals detailing their needs. Also, for each Steelers’ playoff game, a grant will be awarded to a city anywhere in the United States that would not otherwise be eligible to apply. In addition, the Foundation will continue to make grants to several police and fire department K-9 units in the Pittsburgh area following Super Bowl XLVIII.

As part of the NFL International Series, the Pittsburgh Steelers are set to meet the Minnesota Vikings on the turf of Wembley Stadium in London on September 29, 2013. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation will mark the inaugural occasion of the Steelers playing a regular-season game overseas with its first international grant to support law enforcement in the London area.

The Foundation distributed more than $135,000 in grants to K-9 units around the country during the 2012 NFL season and has distributed in excess of $950,000 since 2007.

Eligible departments must apply to The Giving Back Fund by August 15, 2013.

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.


You can view the full grant requirements, eligibility and evaluation process, please visit http://www.givingback.org/documents/RFP_2013_BRF_app.pdf.

You can also see the guidelines on Ben’s Foundation page here.

You can enjoy viewing photos in the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation album here.

“We took our granddaughter, age 12, and our grandson, age 7, to Ben’s Youth Camp. What organized chaos! It was an awesome experience for both. Both caught Ben’s passes. They talked about the camp all the way back to Northern Ohio. They have already decided to come back next year, at our expense! We also really enjoyed the experience!” – Linda Hawk, Ohio, from Ben’s 2012 camp.

There’s still time to sign your child up to join Ben this summer for some football instruction and fun at his Annual Football Camp, sponsored by ProCamps Worldwide…and we’ve got a special offer for those who register this month!

Sign up with the code #SteelerNation and you will get $10 off the registration fee!

All campers who register with that code will be entered to win this awesome Steelers football signed by both Big Ben & Coach Tomlin!


Fifth Third Bank and #1 Cochran present the 2013 Ben Roethlisberger Football Camp!

The Camp is open to boys and girls, ages 7-14.

Ben will be joined by a selection of the top prep and college coaches from the area.

Each day, the campers will experience various stations, specializing in fundamental skills of football. Individual groups will be small to assure that each camper gets maximum instruction.

Ben will give daily talks highlighting the finer points of the game of football and beyond. Parents and guests will be able to listen to camp guests in designated areas at each location.

And you never know which of Ben’s teammates will show up to help out #7! Kids that attend Ben’s Camp have had the opportunity to meet and get instruction from Brett Keisel, Charlie Batch, Willie Colon, and even Coach Tomlin!


Dates: June 17th and 18th, 2013

Times: 09:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Place: Seneca Valley High School, Harmony, PA

Cost: $199.*

*If you use the code SteelerNation when you register, you’ll receive a $10 discount off the registration fee, courtesy of ProCamps!

“My son Christian had the time of his life at your camp. You threw him a pass and I managed to get the shot on my camera. What a memory. Awesome two days. Thanks so much, Ben!!!” – Kris Bober

Each camper will receive -

• Camp T-Shirt
• Autographed Camp team photo with Ben
• 7 Hours of expert instruction
• Opportunity to win contests and prizes

In the event of heavy rain or inclement weather, the camp will be moved to a nearby indoor facility. Camp instruction and other related activities will continue inside the facility.

Parents will be notified of the indoor location in the Camp Bulletin that they receive at check-in on the first day of camp.

Additional camp partners include Greater Pittsburgh Physical Therapy, Everlast, and McDonalds. Media partners include KDKA-Channel 2 and WDVE.

“Ben gave out a special award in honor of his college coach, Terry Hoeppner, to a little boy that was hit in the eye with one of Ben’s passes during their championship game yesterday – which ended in a black and blue eye. Ben told the crowd that the young man was hit with the ball, but kept right on playing…never even hesitated to keep pushing. I was watching the game and the boy did grab his eye, but went right back to the line for the next pass. Ben said he wasn’t sure who was going to get the award, but as soon as that happened he knew it was going to be that little boy. He said of all the awards handed out that award means the most to him. And when he gave the little boy the award, he also gave him a bag of ice for his eye, lol.” – Michele Rodi, Ohio

A fun and educational experience is guaranteed!

Spots are limited, so participants are encouraged to register early.


You can sign your youngster up for the camp here.

You can see more photos here.

You can watch videos from the camp here (mid-way down the page).

You can read more testimonials from parents and grandparents here.

Ben will be presented with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America “National Champion of Youth Award” during their 36th annual Golf Classic at Sewickley Heights Golf Club on Monday, June 10th.


From Larissa Dudkiewicz, editor at Sewickley Patch:

Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is often recognized for the work he does on the field.

But the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania has plans to recognize Roethlisberger next week for the work he does off the field.

The organization and its 7,000 members are pleased to present Roethlisberger with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America “National Champion of Youth Award” for his commitment to youth and all the work he has done for them.

For the past four years, the organization said hundreds of inner-city children had a dream come true when they found themselves on a football field with “Big Ben.”

Roethlisberger financed the cost of mini-camp experiences and took time to make each child feel special.

”For many of the children in attendance from the Boys & Girls Club, this became their only summer vacation, and Ben provided them with memories that will last a lifetime” said Mike Hepler, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania.

Hepler said the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western PA wants to focus on the impact Roethlisberger has had on young people in the community.

From the onset of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he said Roethlisberger and his teammates have provided generous support for the Boys & Girls Club Dapper Dan Flag Football Program and NFL Play 60 Program that reaches more than 1,000 young people annually. The goals of these programs are to promote fitness, healthy lifestyles and good sportsmanship.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania is not alone when it comes to recognizing Roethlisberger.

Make-A-Wish, Ronald McDonald House, Special Olympics, Alliance Against Highly Addictive Drugs, American Library Association and numerous other human service charities also have been touched by his work.

Through his love of animals and respect for the challenges the law enforcement community faces, Roethlisberger also works to provide resources through his foundation to purchase K-9 units for police and fire departments throughout the country.


You can read more here.

The Second Annual Ben Roethlisberger Foundation Fundraiser rocked the house on Sunday evening at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille, which benefited the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia as well as K-9 Police and Fire Units across the country.


With family:

Carlee sent this photo posing with her big brother Ben, sister-in-law Ashley, and parents Brenda & Ken in front of Jergels prior to the start of the evenings festivities (Benjamin Jr. waited to make his appearance at the Dad’s golf tournament the next day!).



The fundraising event included both a live and silent auction, a “strolling dinner”, and music performed by The American Flyers Show Band that had everyone on the dance floor!


With friends:

“Ben was a gracious host and we were honored to be a part of Ben’s charity. His foundation event was first class and all those that were a part of it. Thank you Ben from the bottom of our hearts. This was our second event with Ben and we consider him and his family good friends of ours.” – Danny Garrett, manager and drummer for The American Flyers


You can see more photos from Ben’s fundraiser here.

You can also see a couple of photos from Ben’s charity golf tournament, held the next day, here (we’ll have a lot more photos from the tournament in the coming weeks!).

So which team won the Hoge Starks Ward Celebrity Golf Classic on May 20th? You can see the winners here.