Did you miss Ben’s show today on Cook & Poni this morning?

Here’s the recap, courtesy of 93.7 The Fan:

Following Sunday’s loss to the Bears and Monday’s press conference where he explained his teams actions regarding the National Anthem, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger joined The Cook and Poni Show for The #1 Cochran Ben Roethlisberger Show.

Ben opened his show restating that “in no way, shape or form were we trying to protest, boycott anything that has to do with the National Anthem.”

Ben said to him, what he wants to achieve with the teams actions, is showing that they are one.

“I wanted to also show support for my brothers, my teammates. I wanted to be out there locking arms to show that we are one, we are united together, black, white, Hispanic, Tongan, Samoan whatever we have, we’ve got so many different ethnicities on our team, we all come from different backgrounds, religious beliefs, all that stuff, and to me, it’s about uniting this country and standing together, arm in arm, brother to brother.”

Ben was asked if the amount of time they spent talking about what they would do and then executing it during the National Anthem distracted the team and hurt their focus during the actual game.

“I do,” Ben told us. “I’ll never make excuses, I have to play better, if I play better we win the football game I think. It was definitely on a lot of our minds, a lot of our hearts, dealing with everything we dealt with the night before, being up later than usual, the distractions, whatever it is, but we still have to step on the field to play football. At the end of the day, we need to go out and be better football players than we were on Sunday.”

Things wrapped up on Ben’s show with him telling us that he’s “not really sure” that the teams plans are set for what they’ll do during the National Anthem next week, but the team is “98-percent sure” at this point.

“I think it’s prudent to just make sure that, throughout the week that we’re all on the same page and I’ll talk with Cam [Heyward], talk with some of the veteran guys, the lineman, just to make sure that we’re all still good, that nothing’s changed. […]

I was unable to sleep last night and want to share my thoughts and feelings on our team’s decision to remain in the tunnel for the National Anthem yesterday. The idea was to be unified as a team when so much attention is paid to things dividing our country, but I wish we approached it differently. We did not want to appear divided on the sideline with some standing and some kneeling or sitting.

As a team, it was not a protest of the flag or the Anthem. I personally don’t believe the Anthem is ever the time to make any type of protest. For me, and many others on my team and around the league, it is a tribute to those who commit to serve and protect our country, current and past, especially the ones that made the ultimate sacrifice.

I appreciate the unique diversity in my team and throughout the league and completely support the call for social change and the pursuit of true equality. Moving forward, I hope standing for the Anthem shows solidarity as a nation, that we stand united in respect for the people on the front lines protecting our freedom and keeping us safe. God bless those men and women.

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

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 […]