…were this year’s guest captains during the U.S. Open’s Media Day.



“For the third time since 1994, Oakmont Country Club will host the U.S. Open, an event that was kicked off this year by two of the most beloved Steelers of all-time in Big Ben and Bettis.” — Bryan DeArdo, 247 Sports.



USGA asked, “What’s more intimidating: Playing in the NFL or stepping to the tee at Oakmont?”

You can keep up with all the latest news from this year’s US Open here.



From KDKA this evening:

Roethlisberger said he beat Bettis out there on Monday, but still walked off the course knowing what the pro golfers are in store for in two months.

“I think it depends on what they do with the rough. The greens today, they were very firm. They weren’t real fast to putt, but they were very firm and it was hard to hold shots,” said Ben Roethlisberger. “So, I don’t know, it think it depends on if the USGA wants the plus to win or if they want the low scores. They can do whatever they want out here, it’s pretty dangerous.”


You can read more & see video here.

It was on April 24, 2004:

“I was in New York. I had my mom and dad with me, my sister was there and my agent. My college coach at the time and his wife were there. Everyone kind of had their speculations of ‘what number’ and what team. The teams we thought were going to take me didn’t, but it ended up working out perfectly for me.” — Ben, from the video, “Recalling Draft Day”.

Ben arrives at Madison Square Garden that Saturday morning with plenty of supporters in his corner – his family, his agents Leigh Steinberg and Ryan Tollner, and his college coach, Terry Hoeppner and his wife Jane.

At 11:20PM: Ben and four others – Eli Manning, Roy Williams, Robert Gallery, and Kellen Winslow Jr. – are introduced to the crowd.

Green Room waiting –

• 12:25PM: NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue announces that the San Diego Chargers have selected Eli Manning with the No. 1 pick. Eli emerges from stage right and is greeted by unwelcoming chants by the Chargers fans in attendance.

• 12:58PM: NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue announces that the New York Giants have selected NC State quarterback Philip Rivers with the No. 4 pick. Soon thereafter the trade with the Chargers is announced – Eli Manning is headed to New York, Philip Rivers to San Diego. Both fan bases seem pleased with the outcome….as Ben waits for his turn.

• 1:57PM: Pittsburgh is on the clock. “We see Ben Roethlisberger on the phone,” ESPN announces for the television audience. Sure enough, it’s Steelers coach Bill Cowher calling to tell Ben the Steelers are going to select him with the No. 11 pick.

• 2:00PM: NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue announces that Ben is indeed headed for Pittsburgh. Ben arrives on stage and dons a Steelers ballcap and holds up a Steelers jersey.

• 2:01PM: The Steelers fans in the crowd begin to chant, “Ben, Ben, Ben….”

• 2:02PM: Just off stage, Ben does a press conference for television reporters and then disappears from the public room to do a few interviews with the Pittsburgh media.

• 2:43PM: Ben emerges from the players’ party room where a press conference with print media is set up. An ESPN media representative announces, “Call from Steelers owner Mr. Rooney…” Ben takes […]

“When Big Ben is at your basketball tournament!!”

Ben stops to pose with Mallory and her friends Abbie, Ashten, Maia, and Emilee.

“We appreciate that he took the picture with us. He was very kind! — Mallory.

*Mallory, thank you for sharing your photo with us!

“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 […]

…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 […]

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