Believing in Ben
Findlay and the surrounding area has been known for many outstanding sports figures. Now, hot off the trail of NFL Rookie of the Year 2004 and Super Bowl XL, beating the Seattle Seahawks 21 to 10 Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger has been thrust into the world and national spot light and has brought Findlay Ohio with him.
The pride of community that area residents young and old displayed during the weeks leading up to the "BIG GAME" seemed to have had one focus, that Big Ben and the Pittsburgh Steelers were destined to win the Super Bowl. Civic pride could be seen from signs that seem to be everywhere. In school windows and businesses all over town, congratulating Ben, to the Roethlisberger number 7 jersey that walked the school halls, streets and just about everywhere people gathered. Tony's "Big Ben" burger eating contests and Super Bowl parties in homes and sports bars were a big part of the Steelers Pride. Right up to the final seconds ticking off the game clock, it was as if the whole town was in the huddle with the team.
Certainly it was not out of arrogance, that is just not the nature of people from our community or Roethlisberger and the Steelers. There were no riots in the streets or cars set afire. It says more about the quiet determination and focus on the task at hand and having the respect for that achievement long after the lights have dimmed and the commercialism has faded.
What drives people to true greatness is not necessarily what they achieve but how that achievement affects them. For Ben Roethlisberger it is maintaining his values of family and community that is important. Being the main focus in the media seems to bring out the "Prima Donna" in many sports figures but that trait is absent when it comes to Roethlisberger. His philosophy is that it takes a team to win, not just one person, reiterated his mom, Brenda Roethlisberger. One doesn't take on the hero role when they believe in the team concept.
Sometime it can be a challenge though. Not everyone wins a Super Bowl and when that happens things do change. Your time is in demand. Your family is also put under the spotlight. But when the time comes to rest and unwind, there's no place like home with friends and family.
And that is where Ben can be found, at home with his parents Ken and Brenda and younger sister Carlee. Enjoying family meals together or just playing with the family dogs are a reflection of Ben's upbringing. Respect for others and the appreciation for athletics and a competitive spirit were instilled in Ben at an early age by his father Ken, who was a college athlete and his mom Brenda who is a pilaties instructor at the YMCA. Some enjoyable things that people take for granted, like playing a round of golf with good friends or watching high school basketball can be a bit of a challenge for Roethlisberger who enjoys watching his sister who plays for Findlay High School girls basketball team. With this new status he is looked up to by the youth in the community, Ben is always there to encourage them to do their best and also give an autograph to an excited youngster. Not the type of person who wants the attention but none the less it does come with the territory. With that being the case Ben lends himself to many fundraisers and charities with autographed items that greatly enhance a charities' bottom line.
At the ripe old age of twenty-three, Ben Roethlisberger has left an indelible mark with the entire community that began in the fifth grade under then coach Mayor Tony Iriti. Ben and Mike Iriti, the Mayor’s son developed a tremendous passing combination that evolved into setting many State High School records with Ben passing his senior year for over 4,000 yards and 54 touchdown passes, with Iriti catching about half of those and breaking records at Findlay High School. But the one that seems to be the most memorable, (other than winning the Super Bowl) was that unforgettable night when Findlay played Nepoleon High School. As Iriti described it, "It looked as if Findlay would lose in the final seconds but Ben and Mike connected not once but twice and scored to win the game as Bob Montgomery called the game for WFIN that evening and just said
"UNBELIEVABLE!"
And that it is, Unbelievable.
Congratulations to Ben, Pittsburgh and Findlay.