“This kid has a lot of upside”
Teresa Varley, Steelers.com: Looks like Bill Cowher was spot on when talking about Ben Roethlisberger in 2004.
Roethlisberger came in with limited experience at the quarterback position, playing the position just one year in high school and leaving Miami of Ohio after his junior year. But as history has shown, it was a pick that has paid dividends, with Roethlisberger leading the Steelers to two Super Bowl titles while breaking countless records along the way.
But it all started during the NFL Draft, and here is a look back at what Roethlisberger had to say immediately after being drafted by the Steelers, and what then Coach Bill Cowher said about him.
Ben Roethlisberger’s 2004 Draft Day comments –
On his timetable as far as starting:
“It is hard say without talking to Coach (Cowher). I am more than willing to do whatever it is that Coach asks of me that is best for the team, whether that is coming in and play right now or learn behind Tommy (Maddox) for a little while. Whatever it is that the team asks of me and is best for the team, I am more than willing to do.”
On if he thinks it’s possible he could start as a rookie:
“I don’t know, if they ask me to then I will be ready to do whatever I can. The big thing is that hopefully, if Tommy Maddox is willing to, I would like to learn as much as I can from him being a veteran and the quarterback there that he is. I am more than willing to learn everything that he is willing to teach me.”
Coach Bill Cowher on Roethlisberger on draft day:
On what he likes about the way Roethlisberger plays:
“When you look at him athletically, a lot of people have talked about athletically he may have a lot better attributes than some of the other two picked in front of him, but I think certainly the experience factor, certainly the questions of where he played.
“I think this kid has a lot of upside. Again, the thing he lacks is experience. I think he’s only going to get better the more he plays.”
On what sold the team on selecting Roethlisberger:
“The more […]
With the 11th pick in the NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select…
Back by popular demand: It was on April 24, 2004 –
“I was in New York. I had my mom and dad with me, my sister was there and my agent. My college coach at the time and his wife were there. Everyone kind of had their speculations of ‘what number’ and what team. The teams we thought were going to take me didn’t, but it ended up working out perfectly for me.” — Ben, from the video, “Recalling Draft Day”.
Ben arrives at Madison Square Garden that Saturday morning with plenty of supporters in his corner – his family, his agents Leigh Steinberg and Ryan Tollner, and his college coach, Terry Hoeppner and his wife Jane.
At 11:20PM: Ben and four others – Eli Manning, Roy Williams, Robert Gallery, and Kellen Winslow Jr. – are introduced to the crowd.
Green Room waiting –
• 12:25PM: NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue announces that the San Diego Chargers have selected Eli Manning with the No. 1 pick. Eli emerges from stage right and is greeted by unwelcoming chants by the Chargers fans in attendance.
• 12:58PM: NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue announces that the New York Giants have selected NC State quarterback Philip Rivers with the No. 4 pick. Soon thereafter the trade with the Chargers is announced – Eli Manning is headed to New York, Philip Rivers to San Diego. Both fan bases seem pleased with the outcome….as Ben waits for his turn.
• 1:57PM: Pittsburgh is on the clock. “We see Ben Roethlisberger on the phone,” ESPN announces for the television audience. Sure enough, it’s Steelers coach Bill Cowher calling to tell Ben the Steelers are going to select him with the No. 11 pick.
• 2:00PM: NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue announces that Ben is indeed headed for Pittsburgh. Ben arrives on stage and dons a Steelers ballcap and holds up a Steelers jersey.
• 2:01PM: The Steelers fans in the crowd begin to chant, “Ben, Ben, Ben….”
• 2:02PM: Just off stage, Ben does a press conference for television reporters and then disappears from the public room to do a few interviews with the Pittsburgh media.
• 2:43PM: Ben emerges from the players’ party room where a press conference with print media is set up. An ESPN media representative announces, “Call from Steelers owner […]
The 2018 Steelers schedule
And what “they’re” saying…
Teresa Varley, Steelers.com: Steelers will once again be featured in five primetime games
Bob Labriola, Steelers.com: Rooney analyzes his team’s 2018 schedule
Kevin Seifert, ESPN: Winners, losers of the 2018 NFL schedule
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Steelers, 49ers lead six contenders with best schedules
And last, but most assuredly the best…
Steelers.com (video): The toddlers take
*You can keep track of the schedule by just checking the bottom of this page!
Ben’s 10th Annual Football Camp will be here before you know it!
“Our boys went last year, they had a blast!— Christie Kruise Minnick.
“I took my grandsons to Ben’s camp for 6 years. It was exceptional! Ben is awesome with the kids! Sadly, they are too old to go now. I highly recommend Ben’s camp!” — Anita Doddroe.
“Can’t say enough wonderful things about this camp! We’ve attended ‘Ben Camp’ a number of years, but last year at UPMC was special! My son is bummed he aged out of the program this year otherwise we’d be there! Thanks Ben for all you do!” — Debbie Musser.
There’s no such thing…
No risk, no reward!
@steelers no risk no reward…. he begged me to get this to #7 from his biggest fan.. pic.twitter.com/GdWFzajXaZ
— Cindy Koehler (@ck5121) April 8, 2018
Hey Caleb! This is for you!! @ck5121 @steelers @ProCamps #NoRiskNoReward pic.twitter.com/gEye6T1WZ7
— BigBen7.com (@_BigBen7) April 9, 2018
“Hi Caleb. I saw the tweet that your mom put out and I thought it was pretty cool. You’re no risk, no reward. I really like that so I thought maybe I’d try to reward you and invite you personally to my football camp on June 17th. I think you’d have a lot of fun, and maybe I’ll be able to throw you a pass and you’ll be able to catch it and show everybody what kind of skills you have.”
Thank you so much again @_BigBen7!@steelers@ProCamps#NoRiskNoReward pic.twitter.com/Vfvii5HGsn
— Cindy Koehler (@ck5121) April 9, 2018
“It’s an honor to just see your video and have my name in it. Thank you so much for inviting me to your football camp. I can’t wait to come. I’ve loved football for a very long time and I can’t wait to meet you in person. This is seriously a dream come true, thank you so much!”
