From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:

Football is back.

Yes, I know, it’s shorts and no pads right now.

But come on, it’s football and it’s something to be excited about.

The Steelers held their first of 10 OTAs at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Tuesday, and it was almost a packed house for the voluntary session, with Le’Veon Bell being the only player missing as he is looking for a long-term contract.

Among the almost 90 players on the field was Ben Roethlisberger, who entering his 15th season is the most seasoned veteran out there. And, he was having fun being back with the crew.

“It was good to be back out here and be with the guys,” said Roethlisberger. “Have some fun with guys you haven’t been around in a while and see some new guys.

“It was fun today. It’s fun to get back out here. To be around the guys, to laugh, smile and throw the football around is always fun.

“I never would have heard the end of it from (Maurkice) Pouncey if I didn’t. Just to be out here to have fun. It’s Day 1. It’s good to get out here.”

One of those new guys Roethlisberger spent some time with was rookie quarterback Mason Rudolph, who the Steelers drafted in the third round. Roethlisberger made some comments after Rudolph’s selection, questioning the need to draft a quarterback so high since he planned on playing another three to five years. He also made remarks about helping Rudolph, after the young quarterback said he didn’t want to bombard him with questions.

Roethlisberger clarified that there is no rift, his comments were taken out of context and meant in jest and that he plans on helping him any way he can.

“I’ve always done that,” said Roethlisberger. “I think people took some things into a context that I was going to be mean or rude. That was not it at all. If you listen to the whole conversation I said in jest, laughing and having fun. I have never been the type to be rude or mean to other quarterbacks. I’ve had a lot of quarterbacks through here that have been younger than me that I’ve tried to help any way that I can. I’ll continue to do that.”

He didn’t waste any time helping. Roethlisberger talked […]

Ben has announced the opening of the 2018 grant cycle of the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund.

This marks the 12th season of grants for his Foundation.The majority of grants distributed will help police & fire department K-9 units purchase dogs & dog safety vests, but other needs are also considered.

The Foundation will be distributing grants in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away game for the Steelers during the 2018 NFL season including Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Jacksonville, Denver, Oakland and New Orleans. Ben invites police and fire departments in these eight communities to submit proposals detailing their needs.

In addition, his Foundation will continue to make grants to several police and fire department K-9 units in the Pittsburgh area following Super Bowl LIII.

Ben’s mission 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. Ben also strives to support Make-A-Wish and other nonprofit organizations assisting children in need in cities where he has lived and played football.

The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation distributed more than $170,000 in grants to K-9 units around the country during the 2017 NFL season, including $82,000 in the Pittsburgh community. The Foundation has distributed in excess of $1.92 million since 2007.

Applications and supporting documents must be mailed and postmarked by August 15. Click HERE for all the details on how to apply!


For more information about the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation or The Giving Back Fund, please contact Jessica Duffaut at jduffaut@givingback.org.

From Teresa Varley this afternoon at Steelers.com:

One of his new teammates he isn’t working with this weekend, but is looking forward to getting to know, is fellow quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. After Rudolph was drafted, Roethlisberger questioned selecting a quarterback that high when he still planned on playing three-to-five more years.

Rudolph, though, said there weren’t any issues and Roethlisberger texted him on Thursday, wishing him luck during minicamp and telling him he was looking forward to getting to meet him when the entire team starts working together during OTAs.

“Ben reached out to me,” said Rudolph. “He is excited to get in when rookie minicamp gets done and start getting after it. He reached out, said good luck in rookie minicamp. I was appreciative of that. I haven’t met him yet, but I am looking forward to meeting him.

“I think the media got twisted around a little bit. He is a competitor. He is a Hall of Fame quarterback. He is a competitive guy. That is what I would expect. He is a long time starter. I am sure when we get in this building, in this room, we are going to be friends. I am going to let him do his thing. I am going to pick up from him what I can from him but not bother him.”


You can read more from Ms. Varley here, and watch video of Mason’s interview here.

@_BigBen7 Got my son registered for your upcoming camp!!! It will be his fourth! He can’t wait!

— Jim Budzilek (@JimBudzilek) April 29, 2018

Do you have your youngster registered yet? No? Then stop by ProCamps and get ‘er done before all the spots are taken!

See you on June 17th!