“Just like the tradition of this team, it’s a humbling honor to be elected by your teammates to be a captain. To go in the archives with the greats who have played on this team is special.” — Ben, who is a captain for the eighth time.

From the Steelers website:

The Steelers selected four players to serve as team captains for the 2016 season, the team announced through a vote of their teammates today.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will serve as the offensive captain, cornerback William Gay and defensive end Cameron Heyward will serve as the defensive captains, and safety Robert Golden will serve as the special teams captain.

Roethlisberger has been selected as an offensive captain for the eighth time in his career (2008, ’09, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15 and ‘16). This marks Golden’s third consecutive year as a captain, and the second for Gay and Heyward. This is also the second consecutive season the four players have been named as captains together.


You can read more here.

And you can read why Zach Mettenberger was wearing #7 at practice today…and why Big Ben was wearing #5 right here.

Now it may have been Georgia Tech (Ben’s dad’s alma mater) vs Boston College in Dublin…


But that didn’t stop Irish fan Gordon Dedman from showing off his Steelers Nation Unite Terrible Towel while wearing Ben’s MU college jersey at the 2016 Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

Now that’s what you call REPRESENTIN’!!

And congratulations to Georgia Tech (Ben’s dad’s alma mater) on their 17-14 win!

“Hall of Famer John Stallworth thinks Ben Roethlisberger will land in Canton one day.” — Teresa Varley.

From Ms. Varley’s interview with Mr. Stallworth, Steelers.com:

Former wide receiver John Stallworth has his finger on the pulse of the Steelers as he has remained close to the team as a part of the Steelers’ ownership group. He keeps tabs on what is happening, and likes what he sees from this year’s team. And the words he had for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger when I caught up with him in Canton, Ohio, we’re Hall of Fame worthy.

Here is what Stallworth said about the 2016 season, Roethlisberger and, of course, the team’s receivers –

On the 2016 Steelers:

“The sky is the limit. We saw what they did last year when they had people injured and in limited roles. Ben (Roethlisberger) not being Ben because of injuries last year. Then losing running backs and receivers at times and we saw how well they performed. I think they are coming into this season with a world of confidence. I think they are tempering that confidence with experience that says we know we can do this, we know what we can do, but we don’t have to get beyond ourselves. I think they will do well in that role. Offensively they rank as one of the best offenses in the league. They have shown that and I think they will show that this season.”


On Ben Roethlisberger:

“He is one of the best at it right now. I have been there in the stadium and seen some of those throws he has made, on the money, at the right place. Had it been any other place position wise it would not have been a completion. He has done that, he has done it in the Super Bowl, in the late, waning moments of the Super Bowl hitting a guy in the corner of the end zone. He is a great quarterback, great timing, great arm, great passion and mind for the game.

“We are here, we are in Canton, and if he quits soon enough and I live long enough, I expect to see him here.”


On Roethlisberger and the Hall of Fame one day:

“You look at the body of work from season to season, the championships he has been […]

From the article & interview by J. Brady McCollough for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Today is his annual football camp for kids. It’s a great day for him because he doesn’t have to be guarded. The eyes of children don’t come with the filter of the past.

The image they see is of the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Big Ben, No. 7, coming down to their level and doing drills, throwing them passes and yelling encouragement.

“Three…two…one…BEN!” they chant after the completion of each teaching session.

They see their hero as a father of three whose wife, Ashley, walks around the field at Bethel Park High School with their newborn, Bodie, strapped onto her shoulders. They see Ben’s father, Ken, going through drills with Ben, and his stepmother, Brenda, keeping watch on Ben’s two older children, Benjamin and Baylee. They see a family, maybe one that’s not so different from their own, enjoying Father’s Day weekend.

“Three…two…one…BEN!” they chant again.

The kids see blond-haired Baylee running into her father’s arms to sit in his lap as he takes a break from camp. They hear him doing his goofy, high-pitched baby talk.

“What’s on your shirt?!” he says to the 2-year-old. “Did you spill juice on your shirt?!” “Yeah.” Baylee admits, smiling at him. “Can I have a kiss?” he asks.

What do the campers’ parents see? Well, he can’t control that.

There is no way to know exactly who Ben is today, which is why he is careful about seeming like he’s trying to push a narrative. He would rather not try at all to win back the public than be viewed as a phony — a decision he made six years ago that still impacts him.

What is for sure is that his circumstances have changed: He’s a 34-year-old man who is building a home for his family, up near Sewickley. He loves being outside, whether it’s mowing the grass at home by himself or hunting, fishing or golfing with his dad and his tight circle of buddies. He goes to church regularly on Sunday mornings, even on some game days with later kickoffs.

Ben isn’t going to reveal much about his faith, because what good could come from him talking publicly about his relationship with Jesus Christ? His pastor, Jamie Kendrew of Christ Church at Grove Farm in […]

Because it’s Pre-Season so why not?!


The first series:

Now that's a @steelers drive. Nice to see you again @_BigBen7

— Michael Coates (@Coates_Burghfan) August 27, 2016

@_BigBen7 makes it look so easy #SteelersNation

— Kyle Helffrich (@KyleHelffrich) August 27, 2016

I don't care what anyone says… Ben Roethlisberger is the king of extending plays.

— Zach Metkler GZSR (@GZSports_ZM) August 27, 2016

And the 1st @_BigBen7 TD goes to @JJames18_

— Tiffany (@tiffann7777) August 27, 2016

Ben Roethlisberger makes debut by moving Steelers 74 yards on 15 plays, the last 14 all no huddle. TD pass to TE Jesse James, his 3rd catch

— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) August 27, 2016

HEY @_BigBen7 IVE MISSED YOU SO MUCH #ThatsMyQuarterBack

— Mel (@SportsMel) August 27, 2016

The second series:

I don't care if you bring a safety over top, you are not stopping Ben Roethlisberger to Antonio Brown. Sit back and watch greatness

— Nik- (@NikkF07) August 27, 2016

.@_BigBen7 to @AntonioBrown84 never gets old! #PITvsNO

— Trish (@Trish9997) August 27, 2016

Ben 12-17-148 yds, 2 TDs after two series. 57 TD to Brown down left side, 14-0. So much for offensive blahs

— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) August 27, 2016

I see you @AntonioBrown84 and @_BigBen7 That's what you call mid season form there.. @steelers

— Treginald Wilson (@YotaTheGreat) August 27, 2016

@steelers I know It's only preseason but @_BigBen7 Is on fire, 2 positions, 2 TD's, I can't wait till It matters vs @Redskins! #SNUproud

— Ja〽️ey Buster (@BusterJamey) August 27, 2016

And just like that, Ben was done for the night!!


You can check out the post-game update here.

Have a great weekend, Steeler Nation!