From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:

Before the team went to work, before they began drills and hitting, they put their emotions on display, addressing as one the social injustice that has occurred in our country as of late.

After coming out of the Heinz Field tunnel, the players all went to the visitor’s sideline where Coach Mike Tomlin spoke about the injustice, with Steelers President Art Rooney II and General Manager Kevin Colbert flanking him.



His words were heartfelt, passionate, emotional and powerful. They came from deep within, sharing not just his thoughts, but the thoughts of the men standing behind him, players, coaches and staff, all linking arms as one, before being led in prayer at midfield by Vance McDonald.

“Good evening,” began Tomlin. “This evening as we go about our normal football business, we come before you standing united as an organization, as a football team, as football men. From different ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and even countries of origin. We stand united by our talent and our love for the game of football. That love and those talents have taught us great tolerance and understanding. We realize that those blessings put us in the minority.

“We’ve learned a lot of lessons in 2020, being from the pandemic or the social unrest. The big perspective that it provided us is regardless of how big and important this game is for us, it’s small in the big scheme of things. We also realize we are privileged to have a platform. We are committed to taking action and being a part of the solution to face social injustice and prejudice that we all face, not only in our country, but worldwide. It is our desire to be active participants in the formation of a more perfect union.



“That being said, we realize recent events are a continued reminder of how far we are from that. We stand before you acknowledging that we are blessed and privileged. But that privilege does not shield us from sadness. This privilege does not shield us from shock or outrage. It does not shield us from fear, fear for our safety, or a loved one or an uncertain future. Beyond being football men, first and foremost we are husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, uncles, members […]

First, it was the proposal…at Heinz Field, of course!



Then it was wedding bells, Big Ben t-shirts & the beach! PERFECT!!

“Our original planned wedding this year was to be on Halloween, however with all that is going on in the world we decided just to get married with family while on our Erie vacation. Last year on September 30th (Bengals vs Steelers), Derek proposed to me on the field before the game. We had the Bud Light Suite and field passes. As you may see, we revolve our world around the Steelers. When I realized we wouldn’t be doing our large wedding this October I knew at that moment I would wear a comeback Big Ben shirt instead of a dress. Derek thought I was wearing a “dressy” cover up the whole time so when I came out and revealed my Big Ben shirt he was excited and overwhelmed to see both loves of his life . The flower girls wore our field passes down the isle from the game we got engaged. We love Big Ben and the Steelers so much in our house! When people ask us what we are doing for our honeymoon we reply with no hesitation, ‘Going to Tampa to see Ben win another Super Bowl!’.” — Gabriela Reft.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to Derek & Gabriela!!! May you watch many Steelers games together in the years to come!!

From our favorite camp blogger, Teresa Varley:

Ben’s arm bouncing back fast: When Ben Roethlisberger takes the field against the New York Giants on Sept. 14 at MetLife Stadium, it will almost be a year to the date that he last played in a game. Roethlisberger left the Steelers-Seahawks Sept. 15 game last season with an elbow injury that sidelined him for the year and forced him to have surgery.

But he has come back strong, maybe even stronger than ever. Roethlisberger has been throwing consistently in practice, even practicing three consecutive days last week, something that hasn’t been the norm for him.

“It’s felt really good,” said Roethlisberger. “For the last handful of years, we did the same routine with a full day, half day, off day. I even went three days in a row last week and it’s been feeling really good. I definitely need to give it some time to rest, that one day off every so often, out of general fatigue. But it’s amazing how fast it bounces back and feels great the next day.

“It wasn’t like I wasn’t able to make the throws, it was the pain and discomfort I’d feel or the next day. I feel really good making some of the deeper down-the-field throws. One of the practices last week I wasn’t able to step into it and I threw a go-route down the sideline. I let go of it and it felt short and it ended up making it there in stride. I was surprised at how my arm strength has come back, and maybe a little better than it was before.”

Offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner agrees that Roethlisberger’s arm looks strong and is keeping a close eye on him, including watching the extra time he spends throwing to guys after practice and so forth.

“I go up to him after practice and ask how he feels,” said Fichtner. “I like the idea from script standpoint, he hasn’t shied away from any deep opportunities. And we’ve taken several.

“The off day, half day have lined up perfectly for him to have time off and not miss work. Some of that hasn’t occurred because the off days are at the right time, right moment. We have to watch the extra reps that occur between the lines outside of […]

Part One takes us back to the 2019 offseason. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, amid public scrutiny, is eager to get back on the field in hopes to make the conversation about football again. With the 2019 training camp starting and things getting back to normal, Ben and the team suffer a devastating loss of a close friend and coach. Attempting to rally the team and bounce back from this tragic loss, Ben suffers a potentially career-ending injury in week two of the 2019 regular season.

From Bob Labriola’s Q&A on Steelers.com:

You just have to know where to go!

MELVIN GIBBONS FROM WASILLA, AK: We’ve not seen anything on television about Ben Roethlisberger, and when do the Steelers play their first game?

BOB: If you’re looking for information on Ben Roethlisberger, I would suggest Steelers.com, where there are stories, videos, and Zoom interviews available that chronicle him and the team from the time training camp opened in late July. As of now, and things could change, the Steelers regular season opener is at 7:15 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14 at the New York Giants.


All indications point to….

MARK O’MALLEY FROM MANTUA, OH: JuJu Smith-Schuster had a disappointing drop-off in production last year…I read he worked very hard in the offseason to gain strength and hand skills. Have you seen any indication in camp that JuJu might return to his former exciting player status?

BOB: I have seen some indications, yes. He’s wearing No. 7.


Notable quotes:

“I figured with the surgery he would come back a brand new person, and it’s definitely showing. He is throwing the ball great. He is doing everything great. In the scrimmage the other night it was nice to see the No. 7 jersey back out there.” – James Washington on Big Ben.

“The thing about Ben is he is so spontaneous. He has been doing it for so long. The experience he has, he is able to go into the game and do no-huddle and just call plays from the back of his head. Having him back is a plus for us.” – JuJu Smith-Schuster.

It’s a Throwback TUESDAY!

Backyard football with Big Ben. @_BigBen7 pic.twitter.com/DagYjbuQRq

— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) August 25, 2020

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s…

Steelers photographer Karl Roser sees the team’s starting quarterback surveying the field during a day off – But Steeler Nation sees Super 7!!


*Thanks to @BigSteelerMood for this one! Lol!