at the Steelers Practice Facility!

Yes, football!! The ProCamps Ben Roethlisberger Youth Fantasy Experience is Sunday, June 18th, 2017, and there are still a few spots left for your youngsters to join us!

Boys & girls, grades 1-8, will be working on their football skills on the same fields that the Steelers players work on theirs!

This one day camp is similar to a “two-a-day,” running from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM with a lunch break in between sessions.

Your future football star will:

• Participate in the Big Ben Skills Combine
• Catch a pass from Ben
• Receive a souvenir autograph from Ben (item provided)
• Pose for a camp team photo with Ben
• Receive Limited-edition Nike gear package
• Attend the Steelers Training Table Luncheon


The cool part – this year’s camp will be held at the Steelers Practice Facility.

Proceeds benefit The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation!


You can find out more about the camp, or sign your youngster up here.


Still not sure? Then maybe these past-camp parents & grandparents can help you decide:


“What a thrill for those kids! Something that they will never forget, thanks Ben!” — Lynne Covelli

“You are the best on the field and off when it comes to showing how to do great things for fans and community. Thank you for being you.” — Susan Burkhamer

“This brought tears to my eyes. You likely aren’t even fully aware of the amazing impact you’re having on this young man’s life! Thank you!” — Allison Busalacchi

“It is so uplifting when athletes realize “But for the grace of God . . . . ” Ben showing compassion to Zachery, as well as others, is evidence that he is a class act – – – all the way!” — Roberta Villanueva

“You are a great person Ben…very inspirational…a true human being and the greatest qb in my book!!!” — Tony R Carbaugh




Steve Davidyak ‏@Badlab
@bgradkowski5 Thanks for taking a moment to snap a pic with my boys @_BigBen7 ‘s @ProCamps! You are a class act!

“What a beautiful way to encourage the younger generation more people should revalue what they do to promote kindness and unselfishness in the world today.” — Linda Silko

[…]

Last November, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office received a $10,000 grant from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation for their K-9 Unit.

Demon (and you never want to mess with someone named, “Demon”!) is a 15-month old, dual trained K-9 that began his assignment with Sergeant Kevin Crull earlier this month.

He replaced K-9 Jax, who is now enjoying his much deserved retirement. Demon participated in his first routine school search just a couple of weeks after starting on patrol, and did a great job according to his partner, Sgt. Crull.

Demon is pictured with partner, Sergeant Crull and Chief Deputy Ryan Needham.


You can learn more about Ben’s foundation here.

And our spotlight is on Eric Ochoa:

I served 8 years in the Marine Corps, and I’ve been a Steelers fan all my life. Born and raised in California, never been to Pittsburgh, but still a fan.

During my time in the Marines, I did two combat tours in Iraq and one to Afghanistan. I remember in 2009 waking up at 2 in the morning in Iraq to watch the Steelers beat the Cardinals in the Super Bowl.


In late 2013, I had the privilege to deploy to Jordan to train the Jordanian Army before they went to Afghanistan. During one of our driving courses, I pulled out my black terrible towel, I always kept with me, and asked some of the soldiers to take a picture with me holding the terrible towel.

I told them it represents the best football team in America. Hopefully one day my wife, kids and I can make it to Pittsburgh to witness the best players at home. #HereWeGo — Eric Ochoa.


*Eric, thank you for sharing the photo & your story with us!! God bless you, and thank you for serving our country!

“I feel the need…the need for speed!”


From KDKA-Channel 2 this evening:

Aerial acrobats. Thunderbirds. “Wings over Pittsburgh” is back, for the first time in six years.

While the pilots are winging it, two-time Team USA Olympic goalie Brianne McLaughlin poses with her silver medals, then dons a different uniform than the red, white and blue she wore on the ice.

She’s prepared for a breathtaking flight on a Thunderbird.

Meanwhile, Columbus Blue Jackets’ winger Brandon Saad, formerly of Penn-Richland High School, prepares for a flight of his own.

“Playoffs, been there, done that before,” he said. “But for my first time doing this, I’m full of excitement, for sure.”

From the ice to the football field, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger also got a special preview of the show. He got a ride on the T-33, a training plane used by new recruits.

“We just chatted back and forth. He wanted to fly over the stadium, down around Pittsburgh, the practice facility,” said pilot Greg Colyer. “I let him fly the airplane around a little bit, and then we came back and landed.”

So, what did the quarterback think of his bird’s eye view of the city?

“It was an unbelievable experience. It was something I can cross off my bucket list now,” Roethlisberger said. “You understand the power that the plane has, and how sensitive it is, and how awesome these pilots are.”

The theme of this year’s Wings over Pittsburgh is “Forging the Future.”


You can read more & catch a video here.


*Nothing like a quote from the movie, “Top Gun” to start the post off right!