The sniper part, doing the long-range shooting, working with the SEAL sniper guys. You think of all the dream jobs, I wanted to be like James Bond or a ‘Top Gun’ fighter pilot, the bad dude that’s a sniper that could shoot from a mile away. It’s kind of pretty cool. — Ben.

Ben and his father, Ken were guests on The Outdoor Channel‘s “Gridiron Outdoors” this week:

This week on Gridiron Big Ben and I learn precision rifle tactics from a former Spec. Forces sniper. @_BigBen7 pic.twitter.com/XUUqhuVJPF

— Gridiron Outdoors (@Pawlawski) March 15, 2016

Gridiron Outdoors is produced and hosted by former NFL, XFL, AFL quarterback Mike Pawlawski.

Ben, Ken and their host (in the Twitter photo above) were given long range training from Former SEAL Clayton Hergert in west Texas.

The first thing we did is line up at 200 yards and I remember thinking, boy, those targets look small. — Ben.

You can watch a great video of Ben’s sniper training here.

You can check out another video where Ben and his father talk about their relationship here.

You can watch the re-air of the episode on The Outdoor Channel at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, March 16th and at 6:00 PM on Sunday, March 20th.

You can also follow Mike Pawlawski on Twitter and Facebook!


*Thank you Mike!!

That’s right! Forget about April showers bringing May flowers…

Collector’s Showcase of America is bringing some of your favorite Steelers players, past & present, to the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, VA for their Spring Show the weekend of April 8-10, 2016!


And look who will be there: Heath Miller, Antonio Brown, Ryan Shazier, Markus Wheaton, Stephon Tuitt and Le’Veon Bell!

HOF’ers Terry Bradshaw, Kevin Greene and Dermontti Dawson will be there signing autographs as well. Both Mr. Greene and Mr. Dawson will also be available to pose for photos with fans!

Sports fans will have the opportunity to meet and get autographs from these big names of the games too:

NFL stars (past & present) like Len Dawson, Earl Campbell, Larry Brown, Jim Brown, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Dan Reeves, Andre Rison, Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Joe Flacco, Champ Bailey, Von Miller, Blake Bortles & Luke Kuechly.

MLB stars like Frank Robinson, Juan Marichal, Dale Murphy & Gaylord Perry.

NBA stars like Jerry West & George Gervin.

And Boxers Larry Holmes and Buster Douglas.

This is a well-organized show and attended by many. In fact, one quick stroll through the parking lot and you’ll think you’re in Pittsburgh South. There are also many reputable sports dealers on hand selling everything from autographed items to sports cards to vintage sports memorabilia.


You can see the full list of athletes, along with the day & times they will be available, as well as ticket and lodging information here.

Ben was there for their Summer Show last year and had a great time!

“Having Ben there I think that we, as players and as an organization and a fanbase, kind of take for granted. You look at the other quarterback situations around the league and it’s not so good. To have Ben there each and every year gives you a shot at the title and gives you a shot at just winning games and making football fun. I think it begins and ends with the quarterback. He’s a big part of the organization’s success…It’s not about the money. It’s about chasing that ring. Can you imagine what a seventh Super Bowl in Pittsburgh would look like? I mean, the parade, the rings, the diamonds – that right there is what I’m searching for.” — Ramon in a great interview with Colin Dunlap on The Fan Morning Show today.

You can read excerpts and listen to his full interview here.


From the Steelers website:

Foster is entering his eighth NFL season with Pittsburgh after joining the Steelers as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2009 NFL Draft.

Foster started all 16 regular-season and two postseason games in 2015. He has started 87-of-102 regular-season games in his NFL career and started each of his seven postseason contests.


You can follow Ramon on Twitter and Instagram!

During his trip to California, Ben stopped by Outpost Hollywood to say hello because “he was told it was the best Steeler bar in town”…


“We were honored to have him in the bar! The group was started by yinzers for yinzers and we LOVE the Black and Gold. Truly inspired to see him there. Thanks for stopping by! Sorry you didn’t get to meet the group. Let us know and next time it’s on!!!” — Damien Luvara and Chris Mowod, Steeler Nation West (@SteelernationW).


*Thank you to Damien, Chris and Justin Stines!



Also Today:


Kevin Franklin, the Big Ben Birthday Contest winner, wanted to thank Ben AND show off his new game-used, autographed Nike. Now he’s just waiting on the display case he ordered.


*Thank you for sending the photo, Kevin!

Carlee, Ashley and I enjoyed an amazing evening last night watching Tyrone Wells:


Wanted to send out a big Thank You to Tyrone and his wife Erin, and also to say to Tyrone, you are an amazing singer/songwriter. Love your music! — Ben.


You can check out Mr. Wells’ website (and his tour dates) here.

UPDATE: WE HAVE A WINNER!! Congratulations to Kevin Franklin of the Washington D.C. area – he was our 302nd emailer!!

THANK YOU Steeler Nation for participating in the contest, and for ALL of the birthday wishes!


Today (Wednesday) is Ben’s 34th birthday and one lucky fan will win a gift from him!


To celebrate…

The 302nd emailer today (that number is from 3/02 – his birth date) will receive one of Ben’s game-used, autographed Nike cleats.

It’s that easy! No quiz to take, no caption to think up, no questions to answer…just be the right emailer!


However, before you email, please follow these two rules:


1. Emails for the contest WILL NOT be accepted until 12 NOON ET and after (this gives fans in different time zones a chance to participate).


2. Please, just one email per email address only (subsequent emails from the same address will be discounted).


Send emails to: bigben7website@gmail.com


Winner will be notified via email and their name will be posted here in an update this afternoon! Good Luck!