Big Ben comes to town
WILLIAMSBURG — Ben Roethlisberger said basketball is his favorite sport and growing up he dreamed of being in the NBA.
Pittsburgh Steelers fans are surely happy that he chose a different career path.
In just three years, the 6-foot-5 signal caller has solidified his role as one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks. He won his first 13 games as a starting quarterback. The following year, he earned his first Super Bowl ring at the age of 23.
Roethlisberger made a stop in greater Williamsburg on Tuesday as the featured guest counselor at the 14th annual Colonial All-Pro Football camp held at William & Mary. Arizona Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald and Washington Redskins QB Jason Campbell also appeared at W&M coach Jimmye Laycock’s camp.
More than 250 campers ranging from 8 years old to rising high school seniors were all ears listening to the knowledge passed on by their NFL heroes, and the players were impressed with what they saw.
“[These camps] give kids a head start on football,” Roethlisberger said. “It helps them get advice as what it takes to be a college player and hopefully make it to the NFL.”
Roethlisberger was scheduled to appear last summer, but he was forced to cancel his trip after a horrific motorcycle accident had him sidelined for most of the training camp.
He made up for lost time on Tuesday, spending 45 minutes chatting with the high school kids about life as a pro athlete. He fielded about 30 questions from campers, ranging from topics about best players in the NFL to when he started playing football.
Roethlisberger’s biggest message was for kids to go to school where they feel comfortable. “Go where your heart is,” he told campers. “I got recruited by Ohio State and several other schools, but my heart kept telling me to go to Miami [of Ohio] because that was the best situation for me.”
Fitzgerald also had plenty of stories to tell. He told campers how, at the age of 13, he was selected to be the team ball boy for the Minnesota Vikings. Nearly a decade later, he was passing on pointers he learned as an aspiring NFL player.
Fitzgerald grew up in Minneapolis, Minn., and attended similar camps up there regularly. “I remember going to camps at Ohio State and different places like that, and getting pointers from [former Vikings’ star receiver] Chris Carter and Randy Moss,” he said. “I kind of felt like I had an upper hand against opponents that I was playing against on Friday nights because of the instruction that I had from those college coaches.
“Your working with college coaches [at these camps] and they are giving your great instructions,” he continued. “The more information you can retain as a high school player, the more it’s going to help improve your game.”
Brian Sorrell, Lafayette High’s assistant football coach, has been involved with the camp for 10 years and recommends it to all aspiring football players.
“I enjoy this camp because many local kids come and can learn fundamentals that are essential to any quality football player,” Sorrell said. “I really feel that this camp, in particular, is really good for players that want to improve their skills and then apply all of the techniques they learn during their football season. The camp is small enough where kids can get individual attention.”
Not only are the players getting great instruction, Sorrell said, they also get a small taste of college life. “Many of the local high school players can see what it is like on a college campus, which can be important for players who plan to play at the next level,” he said.
Laycock’s camp is a great training ground for coaches too. “This camp is great for coaches because the William and Mary staff make themselves readily available for any questions you may have, and they are more than willing to share coaching techniques and ideas.”