The 2015 World Police & Fire Games concluded last week in Fairfax County, VA. But what are the World Police & Fire Games, you ask?

It’s 12,000 professional, public safety athletes from 70 countries competing in 60 plus sports to qualify for over 1,600 medal events!

In 1985, the World Police & Fire Games Federation, a non-profit organization, run by the Californian Police Athletics Federation, established the World Police & Fire Games. Today, the World Police & Fire Games are a spectacular international sporting event, offering police officers, firefighters, customs and correction officers from around the world an opportunity to showcase their athletic excellence in over 65 sporting events.

And how does this have anything to do with Big Ben?

Because some of those police officers are of the four-legged variety, and one in particular, named Cooper, has a direct link to #7…


From Baynet.com today:

Bronze Medal Winner – Thanks to Ben Roethlisberger Foundation

Cooper, a handsome two-year-old Belgian Malinois, and one of the newest members of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit. Cooper made his first appearance in competition during the Police/Fire World Games and his debut was rather impressive; he earned a spot on the podium by winning a bronze medal for his work in narcotics detection in vehicles. And Cooper has an interesting background: He came to the Agency last fall after Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger tossed a grant to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office worth $6,800 as part of his longtime commitment to enhancing K9 units for police and fire departments throughout the country.

Cooper took over the job duties of Cpl. Cuyler’s longtime K9 partner, Atos, who recently retired due to age, medical conditions and longevity of service. Cooper spent the last several months in school and graduated from training last week. In fact, Cooper graduated with an A+ in narcotics detection which is equivalent to 100 percent in all five field trials. He is certified in narcotics detection and patrol canine services. “Cooper is a great dog! He’s been a great partner and I look forward to many years of excellent work from him,” said Cpl. Cuyler.

“I’m so impressed with our K9 Unit. Their handlers work hard day in and day out to maintain superior control of the dogs. Mr. Billy […]

Clearly, Marc Sessler and Dan Hanzus of NFL.com doesn’t agree with the NFL Network’s “Top 100 Players” ranking of Big Ben:

Mark Sessler –

Wait, you’re telling me there are 25 players better than Ben Roethlisberger?!

I’d like to see all sorts of quarterbacks higher on the “Top 100,” but none more than Ben Roethlisberger. Coming off a campaign that saw him set a career high in passing yards and tie his single-season mark for touchdowns, Big Ben lands at No. 26? Idiocy.

Roethlisberger finds himself behind a pair of stellar Browns players in Joe Haden ( No. 23) and Joe Thomas ( No. 25), but where would Cleveland be were either one of those men swapped out for a franchise arm like Ben?

The Steelers are in the playoff hunt every December because of their dynamic, tough-as-nails signal-caller. Roethlisberger could be 20 spots higher and I wouldn’t mind at all. Maybe the Top 100’s precious player-voters will get this one right next time around.


Dan Hanzus –

Why do people continually overlook Big Ben?

When will Ben Roethlisberger start getting the respect he deserves?

The Steelers quarterback came in at No. 26 on the countdown, which undervalues how good he’s been. Especially in the past two seasons, a 32-game stretch that includes a 65.7 completion percentage 9,213 passing yards, 60 touchdowns, 23 interceptions and a passer rating of 97.8.

That is cream-of-the-crop, ELITE stuff right there, but how often does Roethlisberger’s name come up when people discuss the very best quarterbacks? His placement on this list is symbolic of that disconnect.


More here.

Benjamin Jr. (AKA “Captain Awesome”) makes his pick for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final:

…for your department or agency to make their request to the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation for the 2015 grant cycle!

“We’re very fortunate to be in the position that we are able to help these K-9 units. The work that is performed by the dogs and their handlers as well as the bond that is formed is incredible. We’re just thrilled to do our small part.” — Ben, on why his foundation is so important to him.

This marks the ninth grant cycle for The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, which distributed more than $132,000 in grants to K-9 units around the country during the 2014 NFL season, including $55,000 in the Pittsburgh community. The majority of the grants distributed will help K-9 units to purchase dogs and dog safety vests, but other types of needs are also considered. Ben’s foundation also supports Make-A-Wish and combined, has distributed in excess of $1.3 million since 2007.

The Foundation will be distributing grants in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away game for the Steelers during the 2015 NFL season including Boston, St. Louis, San Diego, Kansas City, Seattle, Cincinnati, Baltimore and Cleveland areas. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation invites police and fire departments in these eight cities to submit proposals detailing their needs. Also, for each Steelers’ appearance in a playoff game, a grant will be awarded to a non-NFL market city anywhere in the United States that would not otherwise be eligible to apply. In addition, the Foundation will continue to make grants to several police and fire department K-9 units in the Pittsburgh area following Super Bowl 50.

Fans of The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation can support future K-9 grants by purchasing candy on Sarris Candies’ website, (www.SarrisCandiesFundraising.com), using a special purchase code (77-7777). Sarris will donate 25 percent of the purchase price to the Foundation.

You are welcome to donate directly through The Giving Back Fund here.


REQUIREMENTS:

Please submit all of the following items and information in one proposal. Incomplete applications will not be accepted or pursued. Please do not staple, bind or print proposal double-sided. Do not fax or email submission. PLEASE DO NOT FAX APPLICATION.

Grant proposals must include the following:

– Completed cover […]

…at least for an upcoming weekend in July!!


Take a trip to the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, VA for the Collector’s Showcase of America Summer Show on Saturday, July 11th & Sunday, July 12th!



Scheduled to sign autographs on Saturday: Big Ben, Jarvis Jones, Jerome Bettis, and Rocky Bleier.

The show is open on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For individual player times, click here.



Scheduled to sign autographs on Sunday: Brett Keisel, Hines Ward, John Stallworth, and 2015 NFL Draftee Alvin “Bud” Dupree.

The show is open on Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For individual player times, click here.



– Sports fans will also have the opportunity to meet and get autographs from other NFL & NHL greats of the game Dick Butkus (Saturday), Emmitt Smith (Saturday), Bo Jackson (Saturday), Marcus Allen (Saturday), Tony Dorsett (Sunday), Deion Sanders (Sunday), Dino Ciccarelli (Saturday), Mike Bossy (Saturday) and more!


This is a well-organized show and attended by many. In fact, one quick stroll through the parking lot and you’ll think you’ve been transported to Pittsburgh South.


You can see the full list of athletes, past & present, as well as autograph pricing and lodging information here.

Ben was last there in 2012 and had a great time!