Can’t believe it’s been 5 years already!! Watching you grow up has been both sad (especially for momma) and amazing. You have really grown up a lot and we are so proud of you. We love you, Bo. — Daddy, Momma, Benjamin Jr., Baylee.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG GUY!!!

“Anyone that tells you otherwise, they haven’t really looked at football. You give that guy a good running game and tell him he doesn’t have to throw the ball 50, 60 times, he’s going to be that much more dangerous, and I think we’re looking forward to that.” — Cam Heyward.

From Andrew McCarty at The Spun:

Following his comments, critics of Ben Roethlisberger only grew louder. They pointed to the Steelers losing six of their final seven games – including one embarrassing playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns.

However, Heyward is still riding with his longtime quarterback.

“I think we’re just blowing it out of proportion,” Heyward told reporters. “We went 11-0 to start the season. How many other quarterbacks did that?”

“I think we can sit up here and talk about how we lost the game last year. We lost to the Cleveland Browns, OK, so be it. We fell off at the end. We still made the playoffs. But I’m not here to say my quarterback is not able to do it. I’ve seen this guy win Super Bowls on TV. I’ve seen him day in and day out compete, and you just get frustrated. I know Ben puts in work. I know how much he cares about this team.”

More from Cam:

“When I hear the bad-mouthing about him being a not great quarterback and everybody is ready to elevate other quarterbacks, I’m like, what have they done? This guy is a proven winner, but yet we’re ready to discount him. All I was saying was I think having a greater balance is going to make him that much more dangerous. I know our offensive line is in flux, but they’re going to be better because they’re learning a different system. We bring in another running back, our receivers are a year older, bring in another tight end. All these different things I think can help Ben, and I’m excited for him.”

Cam and Ben were both at OTAs today:

You can check out all the photos from Day 1 of OTAs here and all the news from Day 1 here.

Photo: Steelers

…from Ben’s foundation!

The Findlay Fire Department has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation.

The grant will benefit Findlay’s new $1 million STRICT Center (Simulated Tactical Response and Incident Command Training).
Construction of the center, a training complex for Findlay and Hancock County’s first responders, is expected to get underway this year. It will be located at Findlay Fire Station 4 on Hancock County Road 236.

“It’s exciting to add Ben’s name to the list of funding partners for our project,” said Findlay Fire Chief Josh Eberle.

(The Findlay Courier)

Pittsburgh’s veteran NFL quarterback is pitching in to help Trumbull County’s four-legged firefighter continue her work.

Girard Firefighter Thomas Cantola and his partner Maya graduated from the State Farm Arson Dog Training Program and were certified according to the standards of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.

Maya and Cantola is the 3rd arson dog team for Trumbull County trained through the State Farm program.

K9 Maya is a 2-year-old female yellow Labrador retriever, who was raised by Southeastern Guide Dogs in Palmetto, FL.

(WFMJ Channel 21)

Photo: Tom Cantola and Maya.

Today, Ben announced the final grants to be awarded from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund.

The Foundation is distributing 15 grants to police and fire K-9 programs around the country.

The K-9 departments receiving funding from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation include the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office (KS), City of Covington Police (KY), City of Girard (OH), East Cleveland Police (OH), Findlay Fire Department (OH), Houston Fire Department (TX), Lafayette Police (IN), Mingo County Sheriff’s Office (WV), Redondo Beach Police (CA), Wahoo Police (NE) and five departments in Pennsylvania: Allegheny Valley Regional Police, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Manor Township Police, North Fayette Township Police and Punxsutawney Borough Police.

This announcement completes the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation’s 14th and final grant cycle.

The Foundation will distribute more than $90,000 this year. Grant funds will be utilized in a variety of canine-focused initiatives including the establishment of new K-9 units, replacement of retiring dogs, purchase of safety and training equipment, and training and certification of new and existing K-9s among other K-9 related expenses.

“It has been an absolute privilege to be able to support the critical work of K-9 officers and their handlers over the past 14 years. To witness the bond between a dog and their handler has been very rewarding. Their lifesaving & crimefighting gives ‘teamwork’ new meaning. They are truly partners! I have many fond memories of meeting first responders on the field and in our communities and I want to thank them for their dedication and sacrifice.” –Ben.

For the past 14 seasons, The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation has invited police and fire departments located in and around the cities and communities in which the Steelers played to submit proposals detailing their needs. The mission of the foundation focused on supporting K-9 units of police and fire departments throughout the United States, with a particular emphasis on service dogs in Pittsburgh, PA. Ben has distributed more than $2.3 million since 2007, nearly $2 million of which has specifically benefited K-9 programs. In addition, he has hosted several events to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, his high school alma mater, and other organizations close to his heart.



Donald W. Palmer, […]