Because he can now enjoy his retirement knowing that a new K9 officer will take good care of the Village of Lombard!

From the Village of Lombard Police Department:

Chico’s retirement date is yet to be determined, and he will continue to serve the Village of Lombard until that time.

This grant will fully fund a new police K-9 including its targeted training, and will continue Lombard’s Police K-9 Program that has been in place for more than 25 years.


The $11,500 grant will fully fund the new police K-9, including initial training and future specific training needs.

“We’re very fortunate to be in the position that we are able to help these K-9 units. The work that is performed by the dogs and their handlers as well as the bond that is formed is incredible. We’re just thrilled to do our small part.” — Ben.

Today, Ben announced the third grant award of the 2017 season from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund will be distributed to the Lombard Police Department, just west of Soldier Field where Steelers will play the Bears on September 24th.

The Lombard Police Department will use the grant funds to replace their existing K-9, who is currently approaching retirement and living the life of leisure.

During the 2017 NFL season, Ben’s foundation will be distributing grants to K-9 units of police and fire departments in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away game for the Steelers. The Foundation will also distribute several grants to the Pittsburgh area and will consider a grant to a non-NFL market city in the United States if the Steelers advance to the playoffs. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation invited police and fire departments across the country to submit proposals detailing their needs.

This marks the 11th season that Ben’s foundation has distributed grants to K-9 units. 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. Roethlisberger and the Foundation also support Make-A-Wish.

The Foundation distributed more than $150,000 in grants to K-9 units around the country during the 2016 NFL season, including $76,000 in the Pittsburgh community. The Foundation has distributed in excess of $1.65 million since 2007.

“As our current Police K-9 Officer Chico retires, this grant will allow the Village of Lombard to continue our commitment to our K-9 program, which has been in place for more than 25 years. Our new K-9 officer will benefit the Lombard community for years to come. We certainly appreciate the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation’s ongoing dedication to local law enforcement throughout the country.” — Lombard Police Chief Roy Newton.

Blue Mountain Canine Services is a proud supporter of the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation and provides a personalized leather collar […]

“I owe him everything, being here, being a Steeler, winning Super Bowls, to my family; I mean I wouldn’t have my wife and kids if it wasn’t for him. Literally, I had tears in my eyes during the National Anthem with the symphony.” — on the impact Mr. Dan Rooney has had on his life.

Ben joined the Cook and Poni Show today for his regular weekly appearance on the #1 Cochran Ben Roethlisberger Show to talk about the Steelers (2-0) start and looking ahead to next Sunday in Chicago.

But before looking to this next week, he first reflected on the opportunity to honor Dan Rooney back carrying a “DMR” flag on Sunday and how much he means to him.

“It meant the world,” said Roethlisberger. “To come out, to wave that flag, take a little knee, say a little prayer, to really honor him. After the game, same thing, giving the game ball to Art [Rooney II], just saying that some of those guys, some of the young guys that are here, obviously don’t know this, but other than when he was in Ireland being the ambassador, this is probably the first home game he’s missed in like 70 years. But, like I said, in the locker room, he had the best seat in the house and this one was for him. So I gave the ball to Art, and he said he was going to give it to his mother, it was very emotional.”

Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense had a better show in Week 2 as he finished the day with 23 completions on 35 pass attempts for 243 yards and 2 touchdowns. Roethisberger has a lot of weapons to choose from, but he can’t get caught up in trying to please.

“I take notice a little bit of, ‘OK, who’s maybe not getting the ball, who needs to get it, who’s not happy right now, and I’ll maybe try and get him a play or call a play in the no-huddle to give them the ball to keep everyone happy,” said Roethlisberger. “But I can’t let it affect my play-calling or forcing balls. In the past, I’ve done that where I’ve tried to keep guys happy and it creates a bad issue, whether it’s a turnover or a bad […]

just a few more photos to share of the tribute to Mr. Dan Rooney from Steelers photographer Karl Roser –






















You can see more right here. Mr. Roser’s album is here.

From Mike Prisuta today at Steelers.com:

It’s not often that perhaps the most emotional and most memorable moment of a game occurs prior to the opening kickoff.

But the Steelers’ hosting of Minnesota on Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field wasn’t just another game.

The Steelers paid tribute to Dan Rooney prior to the home opener, and the ceremony and celebration included quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sprinting from the tunnel as the offense was being introduced carrying a flag bearing Rooney’s initials, “D.M.R.”

Roethlisberger eventually passed the flag to linebacker James Harrison, who waved it in front of the crowd.

“Mike Marchinsky (of the Steelers’ marketing department) bought it to my attention early in the week, said we might do it, would you be OK with it?” Roethlisberger explained. “I said absolutely, and then it kinda got nixed for some reason later in the week. And then on Saturday morning I went to Thomas Tull (of the Steelers ownership group) and told him, ‘Hey, we gotta talk to Mr. (Art) Rooney (II) about this because it’s too important not to do it.’

“I think Art was just nervous that it would be a burden to me or to whoever carried it. I was like, absolutely not, it would be an honor to honor him. And it just was, I think, very appropriate.”

Rooney passed away on April 13.

“He was a father, a grandfather figure to everybody,” Roethlisberger said. “He treated everybody the same. It didn’t matter who you were, where you came from, what you did, everybody was important to him. Always had time to shake your hand, look at you, talk to you.

“And obviously, he drafted me, took a chance on me. I know he went into that draft room and said, ‘We’re not passing him up,’ and so I wouldn’t have been here if it wasn’t for him. Just a lotta love for him and the family.”

Art Rooney II received the game ball following the Steelers’ 26-9 victory.


You can read more here.

Ben and AB on NFL FOX Sunday before the game.



How well do Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown really know each other? Find out here!


#7 with the BIG BRO HUG for #99 during pregame warm-ups.



A team prayer.



Win it for Mr. Rooney!!



Week 2: Vikings vs Steelers

On a day Pittsburgh honored the late Dan Rooney in their home opener, Big Ben threw two touchdowns to help the Steelers beat the Vikings, 26-9.


With this game, Ben became the 7th player in NFL history to record 125 wins as a starter in the regular-season.



Ben now has a touchdown pass in each of his last 45 home games – 3rd longest streak in NFL history and longest active streak.



Another win in the books!



“I had tears in my eyes running out of the tunnel with the ‘DMR’ flag”.



“We did what we had to do!”

You can watch & listen to Ben’s post-game interview here.


Photo credits: BrettKeisel.com, Justin K. Aller, Peter Diana, Matt Freed, the Steelers, Dom Rinelli & Jeremy Fowler.