Vance talks Big Ben
From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:
They haven’t been teammates for long, but if there is one person who knows Ben Roethlisberger well in the Steelers locker room, it’s Vance McDonald.
The two have lockers next to each other at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, but they just don’t bond together in the locker room, they are also close outside of the facility where they spend time together with their families.
McDonald knows what last year was like for Roethlisberger, how frustrating it was for him to miss almost the entire year after suffering a season-ending elbow injury. That is why it excites McDonald to see Roethlisberger back the way he is during the team’s training camp.
“I would say he is all the way back, for sure,” said McDonald. “This is the most I have ever seen Ben in terms of his hunger for winning a championship. I can respect that being down last season made it more real for him. Going through a heavy surgery for a quarterback and where he is now, it made him hungrier. The way he attacks the day is different. I am loving the leadership from him, the hunger, the fire. You will notice that trickle down to the entire offense. Guys are just flocking to him. The hunger is real from Ben.”
While McDonald is seeing Roethlisberger in camp now, he also worked with him this offseason when players got together on their own.
“He was pushing some of his throws and arm action to test it, whether to build confidence at that point,” said McDonald. “He was making some insane throws off his back foot, cross field to Diontae Johnson running through the end zone to the back pylon. I remember thinking at that moment, ‘golly, he is really back.’ It’s crazy and awesome to see.”
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The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation ‘Open Grant’ season is here!
“We’re very fortunate to be in the position that we are able to help these K-9 units. The work that is performed by the dogs and their handlers as well as the bond that is formed is incredible. We’re just thrilled to do our small part.” — Ben.
Today, Ben announced the opening of the 2020 grant cycle of the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund.
This marks the 14th season of grants for Ben’s foundation. The majority of the grants distributed will help police and fire department K-9 units to purchase dogs and dog safety vests, but other types of K-9 specific needs will be considered.
This year, Ben has opened up the eligibility to include all towns and communities in the United States and invites police and fire departments to submit proposals detailing their needs.
The Foundation will begin accepting proposals on September 1st, continuing through the remainder of the year, and plans to make rolling announcements in that time frame and beyond.
The mission of the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation is to support K-9 units of police and fire departments throughout the United States with a particular emphasis on support for service dogs in Pittsburgh, PA.
In addition, Ben’s foundation has hosted a number of events to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, his high school alma mater, and other organizations close to his heart.
Ben’s foundation has distributed in excess of $2.2 million since 2007, $1.8 million of which has specifically benefited K-9 programs.
Full grant guidelines and application cover page are available at https://www.givingback.org/ben-roethlisberger-foundation-application-2020/.
Applications and supporting documents must be mailed and postmarked between September 1st and December 31st.
For more information about the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation or The Giving Back Fund, please contact Jessica Duffaut at www.givingback.org.
Photo of Puppy Roethlisbarker taken by Ashley Roethlisberger.