“When Alejandro Villanueva calls Ben Roethlisberger a leader, he knows what he is talking about”

From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:

For the first three series of the fourth quarter, Ben Roethlisberger stood on the sidelines, his shoulder aching but more than anything his heart likely aching that he wasn’t on the field with his teammates.

But when it came down to it, when the Steelers season was completely on the line in the AFC Wild Card game against the Bengals, Roethlisberger did what true leaders do. He put the pain as far in the back of his mind as he could and he returned to the game.

“He’s the leader of the team,” said tackle Alejandro Villanueva, a former U.S. Army Ranger who more than anyone on a football field understands the true meaning of leader. “He understands the responsibility. He embodies all of the strength and courage you want to see in a great leader.

“It was encouraging for us on the offense when we saw him come out. And then he started making plays. He is an extreme competitor. We are honored to follow him in this journey.”

Roethlisberger left the game at the end of the third quarter after a sack by Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict. The Steelers had a 15-0 lead at the time, but the tide would quickly turn. The Bengals offense would take over, erasing the Steelers lead, going up 16-15. Landry Jones, who came off the bench to start the fourth quarter, threw a late interception that many thought sealed the win for the Bengals. As the Bengals looked like they were going to be able to run out the clock, linebacker Ryan Shazier striped the ball from Jeremy Hill and it was Steelers ball.

And that’s when in Roethlisberger stepped in.

“We didn’t know what to expect,” said Villanueva. “He is slow to get off the ground some times, and rightfully so. He gets hit a lot. As an offensive lineman we have to do a better job protecting him. He took a hit from a very big guy. We were hoping the best for him. It was encouraging to see him come back in.”

The offense rallied around their leader, giving them the push they needed to get into Cincinnati territory, where a pair of Bengals’ penalties […]

Last week, we shared a wonderful story with you about a young man named Alex Bentley, who lives in a “house divided” – 13-year old Alex is a huge Steelers fan, his father Trevor is a life-long Bengals fan:

“I thought I would share this with Ben even though I am a diehard Bengals Fan!

My son somehow was converted to a Steelers lover by a grade school teacher and it has caused us great pain!

Living in Oxford, Ohio most of our life I still cannot support a Steeler even though we watched Ben develop as he played behind our house! My son on the other hand, believes that Ben is the greatest quarterback ever and when asked where he wanted to go for vacation this year he quickly said “Findlay, Ohio”!

I have tried to take him to the doctor and have this illness removed from him so that we can be an undivided home of Cincinnati Bengals, but I have run out of energy! He has even gone as far as making the great Bengal Icky Woods sign a Steelers key chain that my son donated to his foundation. I am not expecting anything, in fact it is difficult enough allowing these ugly colors in my home already, but just tell him that Alex Bentley loves him!” – Trevor Bentley.

But Ben wanted to add a little more Black & Gold to the Bentley’s home decor, so he played Santa Claus and sent Alex a game-used autographed Nike shoe that just happened to arrive on Christmas Eve, much to Alex’s delight.

Since then, Alex has been making waves (and the airwaves) deep in Bengals territory.

Well, we have an update to share this evening on Alex, courtesy of both Ben and Trevor –


Ben sent a personal video message to Alex this afternoon:

“Surprised him in the sanctuary on the big screens and it was awesome! Thank you so much Ben for making my son scream with joy. Even though the game was a terrible let down I can’t explain the joy I feel inside. Seeing him light up is what I live for, and if it means supporting the Steelers on certain occasions to make […]

Steeler Nation that is!

More from Ben:

“Coach came to me and asked if I could do it. I told him I’d give it my best shot.”

“Big Man in a Big Spot!” — John Anderson, ESPN SportsCenter.

From Henry Buggy, Headline & Global News:

The Pittsburgh Steelers came up with a huge win over AFC North rival, the Cincinnati Bengals, on Saturday 18-16, and face the best defense in the league next Sunday against the Denver Broncos. The Kansas City Chiefs also came up with a big win, as they won their first playoff game in 22 years over the Houston Texans 30-0. Third-year head coach Andy Reid will look to prepare his team for a difficult matchup against the New England Patriots at Foxboro.

The Steelers gave up all 16 points in an intense fourth quarter, and lost quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with a shoulder injury. Roethlisberger was able to return late and lead a game-winning field goal drive. The Bengals defense ended their playoff lives Saturday with two questionable penalties, including linebacker Vontaze Burfict’s reckless hit on Steelers wideout Antonio Brown.

There were a ton of injuries in the physical matchup, as Brown was just one top-tier talent to get injured – Brown is reportedly in the NFL’s concussion protocol now. The Bengals also lost running back Giovani Bernard with a concussion after taking a huge hit from Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier.

The AFC North rivalry matchup was clearly an exciting playoff game, but the ending will forever be remembered for three terrible mistakes in the final minutes, as Bengals running back Jeremy Hill fumbled prior to the Steelers drive that was capped with two penalties.

The Broncos and Steelers will meet for the second time this season with Pittsburgh coming away with the victory 34-27 back in December. Next Sunday the Steelers will have to travel to Mile High to face the Broncos.



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

Is open for registration!

“We came to the camp from Southport, NC. My son, and the rest of the family are huge fans of the Steelers organization and Ben. Thank you, Ben, and the pro camps staff for providing such a great opportunity for the kids!” — Debi Dolan-Prince

Run! Don’t walk…

to the GIANT EAGLE Ben Roethlisberger ProCamps Football Camp website today and sign your child up with our special promotional code, BigBen7.

And this year, one lucky camper who signs up in January & uses the BigBen7 promotional code for $20 off will be selected to have his or her tuition refunded to attend camp for free!

The Camp is open to boys and girls, grades 1 through 8, and Ben will be joined by a selection of the top prep and college coaches from the area.

Each day, campers will experience various stations, specializing in fundamental skills of football.

Individual groups will be small to assure that each camper gets maximum instruction.

Group rates are available for your team, school, or group of friends! For more information, please contact Alex at aland@procamps.com.

Ben will give daily talks highlighting the finer points of the game of football and beyond, as well as be on the field EVERYWHERE helping coaches and throwing passes. Parents and guests will be able to listen to camp guests in designated areas at each location.

And you never know who will show up to help out #7!

Kids that have attended Ben’s Camp have had the opportunity to meet and get instruction from Bruce Gradkowski, David DeCastro & and Kelvin Beachum, and even Coach Tomlin, who also helped judge the races!

And Ben’s camp is always a family affair!

You’re sure to see Ashley & Baylee, his parents Ken & Brenda, sister Carlee, and of course, Lil’ Ben!

“The expressions on the three boys’ faces who appear to be watching to see if the boy who is the receiver catches Ben’s pass is great! Ben, your investment in these boys’ lives will never be forgotten.” — Lisa W. Mayfield

Dates: June 18th – June 19th, 2016

Times: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM on June 18th & 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM on June […]

Now earlier this week, we shared the email & photos from a Browns fan dad, on behalf of his Steelers fan son (actually, both sons)….today, we’ve been asked to share the emails, photos & a video from a Bengals fan dad, on behalf of his Steelers fan son!

Back on December 22nd, we received an email from Trevor Bentley, who simply wanted to share a video of the joy on his son Alex’s face and in his voice at receiving the gift of two tickets from a family friend to see dad’s team vs. Alex’s team on December 13th –

“I thought I would share this with Ben even though I am a diehard Bengals Fan!

My son somehow was converted to a Steelers lover by a grade school teacher and it has caused us great pain!

Living in Oxford, Ohio most of our life I still cannot support a Steeler even though we watched Ben develop as he played behind our house! My son on the other hand, believes that Ben is the greatest quarterback ever and when asked where he wanted to go for vacation this year he quickly said “Findlay, Ohio”!

I have tried to take him to the doctor and have this illness removed from him so that we can be an undivided home of Cincinnati Bengals, but I have run out of energy! He has even gone as far as making the great Bengal Icky Woods sign a Steelers key chain that my son donated to his foundation. I am not expecting anything, in fact it is difficult enough allowing these ugly colors in my home already, but just tell him that Alex Bentley loves him!” — Trevor Bentley.

You can watch this wonderful video here:

https://www.facebook.com/trevor.i.bentley/videos/10208331918442232/?l=3212871429676744770


Now once Ben saw this, he decided to play Santa Claus to Alex – and at the same time, continue to make things difficult for his Bengals dad, Trevor. On Christmas Day, Alex opened up a box that contained one of Big Ben’s autographed, game-used Nike shoes:

“Well, although I hate the Steelers, I love to see my boy smile! Thank you for that. The smell of Gold Bond Medicated foot powder doesn’t bother him at all, and in fact, he has taken this […]