Steelers GM Kevin Colbert: ‘Could be a better Ben’
From Bob Labriola, Steelers.com:
Roethlisberger had a Feb. 21 appointment in California with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who had performed the surgery, and the speculation was that he could be cleared to begin throwing a Nerf football. But the video showed Roethlisberger throwing what looked to be a regulation football, which has been interpreted as a good sign.
“We saw the video. Ben was with (Steelers head athletic trainer) John Norwig when they visited the doctors out in California. That video was posted (of him throwing), which was very encouraging, but what we re-emphasized is we love the progress but we don’t play until September. We’ll continue to follow the doctor’s orders, and we’ll continue to encourage Ben. But what’s exciting about it is we might have a better Ben Roethlisberger coming out of this surgery. He sat for a year, he didn’t have wear and tear on his body for a year. Sure, he had a significant surgery, but we’re optimistic he might be better.”
Colbert then was asked to address whether the progress presented in the video might alter the timeline for Roethlisberger’s return to football activity:
“The timeline is always going to be that we want to have Ben ready for regular season game No. 1, whenever that is. We’ll follow the doctor’s orders to a ‘T.’ John Norwig will follow the rehab at the doctor’s orders as well. With a guy like Ben, you have to be careful to hold him back a little bit if he progresses maybe a little too aggressively because we have to make sure he is there for September whenever our first game is.
“Everyone understands that game days are most important, but participating in minicamps, OTAs, whatever he can, will be part of him having a great season, but again, we’re really thinking we’re not worried about the surgery because it might be a better result. I’m excited and encouraged about where he can go.”
Colbert expanded a bit on some of the reasons why he’s “excited and encouraged” about where Roethlisberger can go. The fact there was no wear and tear on his body that comes from an NFL season, this offseason can be spent attacking the rehab on his elbow while not having to endure, for example, knee pain, shoulder stiffness, and anything else that could result from 16 games of professional football: […]
Having a ‘World’ of fun…
What an amazing day! Thank you to everyone at SeaWorld San Diego for a day our family will never forget. — Ben, Ashley, Benjamin, Baylee & Bodie.
02/22/2020
“It was a good report. I got to bypass the tennis ball throwing for a month and go right to the football. Still going to be about two & a half-three months until I get total clearance from the doctor but we are doing good!
“It felt amazing to throw. It was hard to hold the smile in. Two more throwing sessions while I’m out here in California, and then headed back to the ‘burgh.”
Scenes from Shear Da Beard
But just in case you weren’t able to attend his 10th (and sadly, final) Shear Da Beard event on Thursday night at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille, we’re bringing the highlights to you courtesy of DVE Radio and Chad Tyson via Twitter!
. @RyanShazier!!! #ShearDaBeardX @ChildrensPgh @bkeisel99 @jergels #Steelers #SteelersNation pic.twitter.com/I3vGyaSXOt
— Chad Tyson (@chadtyson) February 14, 2020
. @CoachTomlin’s turn to cut Da Beard! #ShearDaBeard #Steelers #SteelersNation @bkeisel99 pic.twitter.com/Y7gMvmMhJG
— 102.5 WDVE (@DVERADIO) February 14, 2020
Dick LeBeau made the trip for #ShearDaBeardX! #Steelers #SteelersNation pic.twitter.com/tdSCBr08Hk
— Chad Tyson (@chadtyson) February 14, 2020
Just @_BigBen7 and @bkeisel99 sharing stories about their beards! #ShearDaBeardX pic.twitter.com/OpzO6h2c8F
— 102.5 WDVE (@DVERADIO) February 14, 2020
Off-season job?
Ben Roethlisberger is here cheering on @WVUhoops. So is the Mountaineer. You decide who is who. 😂
Ben Announces Eight Pittsburgh Area K-9 Grants
“Thanks to the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, the Connellsville Police Department was able to add K-9 Ambroos to the force last year. He is utilized near daily by our department and neighboring departments, making our program well-known and reputable after just a few short months in service. We also dedicated our K-9 vehicle to Mr. Roethlisberger by identifying it as unit 7 and placing the Steelers’ emblem on the front bumper. Our program is young and very successful so far, and with this most recent assistance from the Foundation we will continue to grow and expand our success.” — Officer J. Tyler Garlick, Connellsville Police Department.
Today, Ben announced the final grants of the 2019-20 season from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund. The Foundation will be distributing eight grants to police and fire K-9 programs in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.
The K-9 departments receiving funding from the Ben’s Foundation this year include the Borough of Homestead Police, City of Beaver Falls Fire Department, City of Butler Police Department, Columbiana Police Department (OH), Connellsville Police Department, Martins Ferry Police Department (OH), Indiana Township Police Department and Uniontown City Police Department.
These departments will be utilizing their respective grants in a variety of canine-focused initiatives including the establishment of new K-9 units, replacement of retiring dogs, purchasing of safety and training equipment, and training and certification of new and existing K-9s among other K-9 related expenses.
“[We are] extremely grateful to the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation for their generous donation to the Accelerant Detection Canine program. Our program relies on the generosity of donors to safely provide services to fire and law enforcement agencies across Western Pennsylvania. Thanks to the support, K-9 Patty can continue to make a huge difference in Beaver County and far beyond. Mr. Roethlisberger’s love and support of canines is truly admirable and we cannot thank him enough!” — Captain David Seidl, City of Beaver Falls Fire Department.
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 service dogs in Pittsburgh, PA. The Foundation has distributed in excess of $2.2 million since 2007, $1.8 million of which has specifically benefited K-9 programs. In […]