Also Today…

Johnson loves how Ben is looking: Diontae Johnson doesn’t fully know what life with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback is like. Johnson worked with Roethlisberger sparingly early on last season, but barely got a taste for the quarterback’s talents before Roethlisberger’s season ended after Week 2 with an elbow injury.

Since the end of the 2019 season, Johnson has been thinking about what it will be like to be on the field with Roethlisberger. It took a while after a virtual offseason due to COVID-19, but the two are back at it and Johnson couldn’t be happier.

“I thought about it since the end of the season, just getting back ready and expecting Ben to come back 100 percent,” said Johnson. “I am looking forward to getting on the field with Ben this year and being able to help him win games and a championship too. I know how hard he worked this offseason to get back healthy and I know how hard I have been working to prepare myself for this season. To be able to get back on the field with him this year is amazing. I can’t wait to get it going.”

Johnson has already had the opportunity to catch passes from Roethlisberger during the team’s training camp at Heinz Field, and he loves what he is seeing as Roethlisberger has already cut loose and is throwing tight spirals according to Johnson.

“Ben’s arm is way better than it was last year,” said Johnson. “I am just trying to help him win games.

“Everybody wants to play for Ben. He is our leader. He is our quarterback. Everybody is locked in every play, knowing what we have to do. Just the energy he brings to the offense, you want to play for a guy like Ben. He will help you make plays and you want to make him look good.

“He is different this year. He is more excited. He is anxious to get on the field and play with us. That makes you want to play for him even more. That is one of the things I have seen from him, him engaging with me more this year. Being able to talk to him and have that connection, we are going to keep building that.”

Johnson is hoping he can be a […]

“Waking up today to see how it was going to feel, and it feels great. That is kind of what I anticipated. We have been working more than usual in the offseason in terms of throwing. I’ve put together a regimen of two to three days a week throwing for the last two months, if not longer. I think the plan is still to pitch-count if you will through training camp. I worked really hard (Monday) in terms of a lot of throws. I will try half that amount today and then tomorrow back off again, just to see how it’s going to feel. This is a really different training camp. You are not really doing one-on-ones; you are not doing seven-on-seven right now. We are building up, working on timing with receivers, tight ends, running backs. I have had no setbacks. It feels really, really good. I am really excited about that.” — Ben, during his interview with the media today.

From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:

This offseason, we saw peeks of hope. First, there was a video of Roethlisberger throwing in an empty gym. Then, video of him throwing to his teammates surfaced and the reviews started to come in, with teammates singing the praises of how the all-everything quarterback looked.

And now, almost 11 months after Steelers Nation collectively had their heart in their throats, Ben is back.

Roethlisberger has resumed throwing at Heinz Field with the team’s training camp underway and is happy to be back, even if he was a little nervous out of the gate.

“I am very nervous by the way. I am not sure why,” admitted Roethlisberger about talking to the media during the start of a zoom call. “I haven’t spoken to you guys in so long. Forgive me if I take a minute to think about some of my answers.”

Roethlisberger said he threw a lot on Monday, and that he felt good doing it, even almost 24 hours later.

Roethlisberger is returning from surgery on his throwing elbow, something that could hinder any quarterback. But, heading into his 17th season with the black and gold, he isn’t letting it hinder him at all and never doubted that he would return in 2020.

“I knew it hurt. I knew I had some options. I just didn’t feel […]

From Teresa Varley’s Camp Blog at Steelers.com:

In case you missed it, today was a happy day at Heinz Field because Ben Roethlisberger is back. Roethlisberger took part in planned team activities and was seen throwing. Not a bad day at all.

A beautiful sight to see!@_BigBen7 pic.twitter.com/PkLB32GJNt

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 3, 2020

You can read more from Ms. Varley’s blog here.

Happy 1 month birthday to our 7 little bundles of cuteness…

And a very happy 3rd birthday to momma Kota!

We also want to thank Chewy.com for the great birthday presents! — Ben, Ashley, Jr., Bay, Bo & Remy.

Ahhhhh….now THIS is a new mom birthday gift from Heaven: watching the babysitters watch the babies!! Happy Birthday to me indeed!! — Kota.

Back in September of 2018, Seth Bayles story caught our attention! You can see why further down this post:

Well, Seth is back! He and his mother wanted to share some great news with Steeler Nation and all those who saw his story and continued to pray for him:

“Thought you and Ben may be interested to see Seth sporting his Steelers swag as he officially graduated from high school Sunday!

It’s been a long road for him to get to this point. We are praising God for all those that have invested their care, time love & support.

Seth is praying for and excited for the season! It always lifts his spirits. He and Dr Stulak and nurse Rosie talk often about this common bond.

We are grateful for you and Big Ben more than you know! Blessings to you and your families.

Love and respect,
Julie and Seth”

Congratulations Seth!! God bless you! Be bold, be courageous and always be your best!


From September 3, 2018:

After airing a story on ABC 6 News of a Mayo Clinic surgeon giving his signed Ben Roethlisberger football to a teenager with a rare, degenerative condition, Ben Roethlisberger reached out to tell us the signature was fake. What came next was remarkable!! — Hannah Tiede, ABC News- Rochester, Minnesota.

(From Hannah Tiede & ABC 6 News) — One of the best quarterbacks in the NFL is recognizing a Mayo Clinic surgeon and patient.

It’s a story you’ll only see on ABC 6 news…one that started with an incredible act of kindness.

“Seth has a very rare autoimmune disease that is killing all of his healthy cells and tissues,” said Julie Bayles. “Basically its progressive degenerative; it is choosing which organ system it wants to attack next.”

For the past 11 years, Julie has been taking her son, Seth Bayles, to Mayo Clinic for specialized treatment. It’s quite the trip, considering they live in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

“It’s worth the 600-mile drive,” said Julie. “We feel like we are the only patient they have at the time.”

Nothing could be truer after a complication with Seth’s feeding tube. It was at an emergency visit on August 8th, where Seth met Patrick Quandt.

“I had an immediate connection as soon as we walked […]

Thanks to our friends @_BigBen7, @TeamJuJu, @joehaden23, @JamesConner_ , @DevlinHodges10 and the @Steelers for spending time training at RMU earlier this summer.

Here We Go Steelers and Let’s Go Bobby Mo! pic.twitter.com/J7NEldhd6a

— Dr. Chris Howard (@DrChrisHoward) July 30, 2020