If you can’t join ’em, beat ’em!
“The day the Browns passed on Big Ben”
From Jeremy Fowler at ESPN.com today:
The most decorated quarterback jersey in Cleveland contains 24 names. The list could have stopped at six: Couch, Detmer, Wynn, Pederson, Holcomb, Roethlisberger.
The Browns should be drafting a playmaking safety or wide receiver for a playoff-caliber team instead of potentially the franchise’s 25th starting quarterback since 1999. This reality made one longtime NFL coach nearly spill his craft beer just thinking about it at the NFL combine. He was with the Browns 12 years ago. He knew what happened in that draft room in Berea, Ohio, with the Browns on the clock with the No. 6 pick in the 2004 draft.
“He was right there,” the NFL coach said. “Once Sean Taylor was off the board, everything got crazy. Ben was discussed.”
Before Roethlisberger began to terrorize the Browns twice a year for more than a decade, he was a lanky kid from Findlay, Ohio, who would have gladly played for Cleveland. Why is the Browns’ universe too cruel to let this happen? In talks with people involved with the process from all angles, ESPN examines the mechanics of how Roethlisberger never did put on the orange and brown, how the Steelers stumbled into a gem and what it says about the draft process.
“When Cleveland passed on me, technically my hometown team, that was it. I couldn’t wait to have a team and play the Browns at some point.” — Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who is 19-2 in his career against Cleveland.
The rain-soaked workout –
Ryan Tollner, Roethlisberger’s agent: “They were very secretive about it. They shot in and worked him out at Miami (Ohio). I don’t believe they were at his pro day, where everyone walked away saying that was one of the best throwing sessions they’d ever seen.”
Butch Davis, former Browns head coach and executive vice president, 2001-04: “Everybody recognized he was an enormous physical talent. There couldn’t have been a worse day during his workout. It became apparent he could put on a show. It was cold, it was blustery, kind of drizzly, like every Sunday in that division. He threw it extremely well. I like working out guys because you can see firsthand what they can really do.”
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers quarterback: “I had other […]
Add to your sports collection
…and help Ben’s foundation at the same time!
Big Ben has teamed up with SCP Auctions to offer 3 different pairs of his game-used, autographed Nikes that you can bid on!
Left Photo: This particular pair has been style-matched to five different games in 2014: at Jacksonville (Oct. 5); vs. Houston (Oct. 20); at Tennessee (Nov. 17); vs. New Orleans (Nov. 30); and vs. Kansas City (Dec. 21). They also match the style to his 2nd monster 6-TD game on Nov. 2, but we already sold this exact pair in our Fall 2015 Auction for $4,153. The exact game or games Big Ben wore this particular pair is not confirmed. Considering how the Steelers are known to recycle equipment even today, it is very possible that Ben wore this pair in all three games mentioned after November 2nd.
The size 14 Nike ‘Lunar Superbad Pro’ cleats display outstanding game use inside and out, with grass stains and contact marks on the exterior and sweat staining on the insoles. Ben’s uniform No. “7” has been penned in black on each shoe (likely by the team equipment manager) inward facing on the the back upper heel. The Nike interior tagging reads “SEASON SU14” and “PROMO SAMPLE 20140718” confirming that they were player-issued only.
Center Photo: This particular pair has been style-matched to four different road games in 2013: at Cincinnati Bengals (Sept. 16); at NY Jets (Oct. 13); at New England Patriots (Nov. 3); and at Baltimore Ravens (Nov. 28). The exact game or games Big Ben wore this pair is not confirmed, but based on the Steelers’ tendency to recycle equipment, it could very well be all of them.
The size 14 Nike ‘Lunar Superbad Pro” turf shoes display moderate game use, with contact and scuff marks throughout and sweat staining evident on the insoles. The Nike interior tagging reads “SEASON SU13” and “PROMO SAMPLE 30130916” indicates they were player-issued. Ben’s uniform No. “7” has been penned in black on each shoe (likely by the team equipment manager), inward facing on the back upper heel. Sporting the Steelers colors of white, yellow and black, both shoes have been autographed on the outside by Big Ben in 8-9/10 black marker with his uniform number inscribed. Original white laces are […]
Calling up all softball players in Steeler Nation!
Join Antonio Brown and teammates on Saturday, May 14th for his First Annual Softball Game.
“I am very excited about the Celebrity Softball Game at CONSOL Energy Park. Opportunities to generate contributions to worthwhile charities while interacting with fans are perfect combinations. I do hope Steeler Nation supports this event and establishes it as something we look forward to each year!” — Antonio.
*For tickets go to www.washingtonwildthings.com
The Steelers 2016 schedule is out
…and the Black & Gold will be playing on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day!
From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:
The Steelers 2016 schedule was released and includes four nationally televised primetime games, giving Steelers Nation plenty of opportunity to see them in action.
The Steelers kick off the season on the road against the Washington Redskins in a nationally televised game on Monday Night Football on Sept. 12 on ESPN at 7:10 p.m. as a part of a Monday Night opening weekend double-header.
An AFC North rivalry will be renewed early in the year when the Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Sept. 18 at Heinz Field. The two teams meet for a second time on Dec. 18 in Cincinnati on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.
Week 3 the Steelers will head to Philadelphia for an intrastate battle against the Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 4:25 p.m.
It’s then back to primetime for the Steelers the following week when they host the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 2 on NBC’s Sunday Night Football (8:30 p.m.).
After games against the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots the Steelers will have a Bye Week (Oct. 30).
The holiday season will be busy for the Steelers, starting with a Thanksgiving Night game on Thursday, Nov. 24 at Indianapolis (NBC, 8:30 p.m.).
There is no place like home for the holidays, and that will be the case when the Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day, at 4:30 p.m. (NFLN), marking the first time the team will play on Christmas Day.
The Steelers will close out the regular season on New Year’s Day against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field at 1 p.m. (CBS).
All Steelers preseason and regular season games can be heard on the Steelers Radio Network on WDVE-FM (102.5) and WBGG-AM (970) as well on Steelers.com. All preseason games will be televised on KDKA-TV
The Full Regular-Season Schedule:
Week 1
Mon., Sept. 12 at Washington Redskins — 7:10 p.m. (ESPN/WTAE-TV)
Week 2
Sun., Sept. 18: vs. Cincinnati Bengals — 1:00 p.m. (CBS/KDKA-TV)
Week 3
Sun., Sept. 25: at Philadelphia Eagles — […]
Vote for your favorite Hero Dog!
The Hero Dog Awards celebrate the powerful, age-old bond between dogs and people – and give recognition to courageous acts of heroism performed by our four-legged best friends.
The American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards® is an annual, nationwide competition that searches out and recognizes America’s Hero Dogs – often ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things, whether it’s saving lives on the battlefield, lending sight or hearing to a human companion, or simply providing the tail-wagging welcome a pet owner relishes at the end of a hard day.
Dogs compete in eight different categories for the Hero Dog Awards: Law Enforcement Dogs, Arson Dogs, Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Military Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, Guide/Hearing Dogs, and Emerging Hero Dogs (the category for “ordinary” dogs who do extraordinary things).
From now until April 27th at 12pm Pacific Time you can vote for a dog in each category, each day!
After voting by the American public, winners in each category are flown to Hollywood with their human friends to attend the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards® gala in Los Angeles. There they walk the red carpet, are recognized in video tributes, receive their Hero Dog category award statue and mingle with celebrities, both two-legged and four-legged! The 2016 American Hero Dog will then be announced to the world.
To read the amazing stories on these 4-legged heroes and to cast your vote, click here!
The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at work
On October 22nd 2015, Ben announced a grant to the Shawnee Police Department in Kansas.
“I’m proud to call the City of Shawnee my home, and wake up every day with pride that I get to serve the citizens of the greater Kansas City area. I’ve been a K-9 handler for five years. It’s a position that I have always wanted to hold, dating back to the days I served in the United States Army. I’ve seen our unit grow from one to two K-9 teams within the last seven years. We knew we could serve the area better with a third K-9 team, however it is a difficult item to pass with the budget constraints every municipality faces. Words cannot express how thankful we are for the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation.” — Shawnee K-9 Officer Shaun Arnold (in photo bottom right).
Today, we have photos of Shawnee Officer Ryan Skinner and his rookie K9 partner, Obelix, which is Greek for “Pillar of Strength”:
With this grant, the Shawnee Police Department was able to expand their unit from two to three K-9s which now gives them a dual purpose explosive team.
“The addition of a new canine to our unit will greatly expand the capabilities of these officers and the services they provide our citizens. We sincerely appreciate the generosity of the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation in helping keep Shawnee a safe community. Being a native of Pittsburgh and a huge Steelers fan to this day, makes this grant award that much sweeter. The Shawnee Police Department continues to be grateful for the generosity of Big Ben!!” — Shawnee Chief of Police Rob Moser.
Thank you so much to Chief Moser for sharing these great photos with us!
Would you like to learn more about Ben’s foundation, just click here. And if you’d like to make a donation, you can do so here!