Ben evaluates training camp
From Mike Prisuta, Steelers.com:
The final practice of training camp was officially called at 4:25 this afternoon due to weather, but there was still a lot to like about the Steelers’ Saint Vincent College experience from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s perspective.
“We wanted to come in and get some work together, some young guys, new guys,” Roethlisberger maintained. “Worked the no-huddle, worked two-minute, worked red zone, so I think there was some good stuff.
“We got to see what guys were going to do with pads on, too, in terms of physicality, so I think it was good.”
Roethlisberger didn’t participate in 11-on-11 drills in the non-padded practice, other than to run a two-minute drill that covered 52 yards in 1:01 but was ultimately stopped 4 yards short of the goal line and the required touchdown.
But he threw in position drills to wide receivers he maintained are showing the growth he was hoping to notice.
“James Washington, I thought, had a great camp,” Roethlisberger continued. “‘Crief’ (Donte Moncrief) we didn’t get to see a lot of because of the finger but he’s starting to come back. And I think what we’ve seen from JuJu (Smith-Schuster) is what we all anticipated, something special.”
Roethlisberger was also impressed with what he saw from inside linebacker and 10th-overall draft pick Devin Bush.
“In practice it wasn’t anything special, but he wasn’t making mistakes,” Roethlisberger observed. “And then you watch the game (against Tampa Bay), you see the box score. I know he had a bunch of tackles and made some plays, he’s just there. He’s just doing things and he’s doing the right thing and you don’t hear him getting hollered at because he’s doing wrong.
“To me, that’s important for a guy at that position. It may not be all the special and ‘wow’ plays you make, but when you’re not screwing up that’s just as important.”
Photo: Steelers
You can read more from Mr. Prisuta & watch video of Ben’s interview with the media here.
You can also sit back, relax and check out the hard-working Steelers players in “The Best of Steelers Training Camp” album.
Police & Fire Agencies: Last chance to apply for a grant
This week is not only the last week of Steelers training camp, but the last week of the 2019 open grant season for Ben’s foundation as well!
Police & Fire Agencies, don’t delay!! Applications and supporting documents must be mailed and postmarked by tomorrow, August 15th!!
This year marks the 13th season of grants for his 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.
The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation plans to distribute grants in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away game for the Steelers during the 2019 NFL season including Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Phoenix, New York City and Baltimore.
We invite police and fire departments in these eight communities to submit proposals detailing their needs. In addition, the Foundation will make grants to several police and fire department K-9 units in the Pittsburgh area following Super Bowl LIV.
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 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. The foundation has distributed in excess of $2.1 million since 2007, $1.7 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-2019/.
For more information about the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation or The Giving Back Fund, please contact Jessica Duffaut at www.givingback.org.
*Thank you to retired K9 Officer, MPO Gary Brown of the Fairfax County Police Department for sharing the great photo of him and his partner, Zeus!
RIP Coach Drake
“We’re all devastated by (the passing of Coach Drake). I really can’t think of any other appropriate words,” said Tomlin. “Our time and attention in the recent days has been spent in support of the Drake family. Miss Sheila and Darryl’s daughters and extended family – many of us have had an opportunity to spend time with them through this. They’ve been amazing. In making arrangements and adjusting, we’ve tried to be as supportive organizationally to them as we can in what is a very difficult time. Professionally the loss is significant, but personally it’s even bigger.” — Coach Mike Tomlin today.
UPDATE #2: Mom is winning
“Even though it’s not a #Browns game, I am as excited as the kids are to be at their first NFL game!” — Ryan Kennedy.
Throwback Thursday: Mom is still hopeful
She’s all grown up now and actually coming to watch you play for the first time this Friday. Mom is hopeful that she will wear something black and yellow, dad is…uh…not.
#RandomActsOfKindness
Lucas, age 4, at @steelers training camp today passing out Terrible Towels to other kids as Random Acts of Kindness in memory of his brother, Toby
Can he get a shout out? @TeamJuJu @JamesConner_ @_BigBen7 #thelittlefoxfoundation
Ben met our son, Lucas, at training camp. Lucas was passing out Terrible Towels as Random Acts of Kindness in honor of his brother, Toby, who died from SIDS in August, 2016.
Ben met and talked with Luke on the field after practice, and spoke with my husband about our non-profit, The Little Fox – Toby’s Foundation, and our annual Random Acts of Kindness Campaign we do in August in Toby’s memory.
Thank you to Ben for making Luke’s day! It was a moment we will never forget. We know that Toby was smiling down from heaven watching his big brother.
www.thelittlefoxfoundation.org — The Stern Family.
That helmet looks great on you, Lucas! https://t.co/xjADQV7LAc pic.twitter.com/a1rpuygGc1
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 7, 2019