April Fan Photos are here!
It may be the off-season for Steelers football, but it’s never the off-season for Steelers fans…especially for these little ones (besides, babies don’t know it’s the off-season, so why not just dress up in your Steelers best and show it off!!)
Check out this little fella!! He looks like he may be protecting a QB on the field some day!! This is Joe Footdale’s awesome little grandson (and best pal), Ryan Richard Haddock.
Tony Sedenes’ wife bought him an autographed helmet from Ben for his birthday…and for Valentines Day, had photos of their little man, Dean, posing in his #7 onesy and Dad’s birthday present!!!
Shhhhh! Dad Matt Proulx says Remi is just resting up for the Steelers upcoming season!
Dan Krug’s little fans, Heydan and Hannah Krug, never miss watching a Steelers game with mom and dad.
You can see more photos, including some awesome “Ben” artwork, here.
Also Today:
A 16th Birthday SHOUT-OUT to a long-time fan-contributor to Ben’s website –
Sami Wilhite, shown here with Ben at Steelers training camp in 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014, has not only been following us since the unoffical fan site days of BigBenNews.com, but has been sharing her photos with us as well!
“I went to training camp August 7th and 8th at Latrobe. Once again I had the chance to meet Ben. He was very cool and came to me first to sign my jersey out of everybody. Ben was messing with me and said it was “Okay” to give him the jersey to sign because he wasn’t going to take it, LOL. We had a laugh and he was kind enough to take a picture with me. Once again thank you!!!!!” — Sami, August of 2013.
And we’re not just talking about training camp photos. She also shared photos from home, like this one of her family’s ever-growing Steelers football helmet collection!
Happy Sweet 16 Sami, and thank you so much for supporting #7 and his website for so long!!
A different kind of SHOUT-OUT today!
Another long-time fan contributor, Brian Goodson, whose little son is featured in the
Big Day for Big Ben in Oxford, Part II
This is my school, you know. It’s an honor to be a graduate, an alumnus. It’s something I’m hoping my kids can come back in 15-20 years and see their name on the field and it means something to them too. — Ben
From the Miami RedHawks site:
With the skies opening up over Yager Stadium, Miami fans were quickly introduced to the Dauch Indoor Sports Center on Saturday.
The RedHawk faithful gathered inside the newest jewel of Miami Athletics for the DISC Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, which featured speeches from Director of Athletics David Sayler, President Dr. David Hodge, Miami alum and Pittsburgh Steelers star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Miami alum and Super Bowl winning Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, Miami alum and lead DISC contributor David Dauch, Miami soccer captain Haley Walter and Miami football defensive back Heath Harding. Those speakers eventually gave way to the official ribbon cutting for the facility before transitioning to the football team’s spring scrimmage.
As the downpour continued outside, fans surrounded the RedHawks as they went through their various drills on Ben Roethlisberger Field. The 14-period scrimmage included several 11-on-11 sessions that gave the MU faithful a promising glimpse into next fall.
You can enjoy more photos here.
(Photo above: Ben poses with the Dauch Family)
You can watch video highlights from yesterday’s Ribbon Cutting Ceremony here.
And after the ceremony….
Another RedHawks Football star shared his photo with us!
Paul Moses @_MANimall
I feel so blessed to be able to play this game at this level. I wouldn’t trade my team for anything @_BigBen7
Miami Field Hockey @MiamiOH_FH
Ali and her Sisters with Ben Roethlisberger #mufh #miamiOH #traditions #homecoming2015 #disc
And of course, the day would have not have been complete without a photo of Ben, MU Officer Keith Hibbard and K9 Figo!
On December 4th 2014, Ben announced that his alma mater, Miami University, would be receiving a grant from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation. At the time, MU Officer Keith Hibberd thanked Ben for his generosity:
“Thank you Ben for giving back […]
Big Day for Big Ben in Oxford
Ben was an honored guest today at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating Miami’s David & Anita Dauch Indoor Sports Center and Ben Roethlisberger Field.
In October of last year, Ben and Ashley agreed to donate $1 million towards the Indoor Sports Center at Miami University.
The 91,000-square-foot complex that took about a year to construct was funded by $13 million in donations, and it will be used by student-athletes, intramural and club sports teams as well as youth athletic programs for tournaments.
The facility includes a full 120-yard football field with a synthetic playing surface similar to neighboring Yager Stadium. It also has netting for baseball, softball and golf; four 100-yard sprint lanes, a high jump and long jump equipment for track; storage space and an observation deck.
According to the Miami Redhawks site, this new facility “will positively impact all 19 of Miami’s sports programs and allow teams to train year-round”.
There were plenty of photos being snapped and we have several to share, along with some of our favorite tweets from today’s event:
I am so proud to see this building become a reality. Let’s have a good football season! — Ben
(Photo courtesy of Joe Danneman/FOX 19)
David Hodge @PresHodge
Terrific crowd for dedication of indoor. Huge thanks to Dauchs, Harbaugh, Roethlisberger and all who made it possible.
Jackie Patterson @OHHSAPrincipal
Loving the spirit today at the Miami David & Anita Dauch Indoor Sports Center! Roethlisberger and Harbaugh are here!
Future MU football stars: Freshman D tackle Nathon Trawick and #1 LB coming (out of Michigan) Junior B. McMullen II pose with Ben after the ceremony:
Junior B.McMullen ll @_Jmcmullen17
Great time with @_BigBen7 #LoveAndHonor #Steelernation
Joe Danneman @FOX19Jo
Ben Roethlisberger signed autographs and took pictures for a solid hour after the ceremony.
Griff Claypool @GriffClaypool
Ben Roethlisberger, folks! @_BigBen7 @steelers @MiamiRedHawks
Coleman Barnes @ColemanBarnes
Great to have Ben Roethlisberger & John Harbaugh back for the ribbon cutting for the Dauch Indoor Sports Center!
Alexx Zielinski @Alexx_Zielinski
Good time meeting Ben Roethlisberger today at the spring game!
Ashley […]
With the 11th pick in the NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select…
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 the phone and […]
Miami University alumni and friends
…are invited to join Miami University President David Hodge, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics David Sayler, Head Football Coach Chuck Martin, Ben Roethlisberger, Ravens coach John Harbaugh for the Ribbon Cutting ceremony celebrating Miami’s David & Anita Dauch Indoor Sports Center and Ben Roethlisberger Field on Saturday, April 25th at noon.
Miami Athletics @MiamiRedHawks
Here in Oxford, Ohio we get something done that the @NFL has been trying to do for years: Make the @Ravens and @steelers play nice.
Both Ben and Coach Harbaugh are scheduled as speakers at the event.
All events are open to the public and free of charge, but advance registration for the open house is requested.
You can get more info here.
Big Ben in Tennessee
Turkey hunting at Tim McGraw’s farm!
Enjoyed a nice dinner with my old friend Jim Kelly and my new friend, Tim McGraw. — Ben
This one was tweeted out by Fairview High School principal Julie Oyer:
Juli Oyer @wcsFVHS
Taking Be Nice to a whole new level. Legends Jim Kelly AND Ben Roethlisberger are in full support! #wcsbenice
You can read about the Williamson County TN schools “Be Nice” campaign here.