“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 the mission of the 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 sheet (see page 2) with department name, address,telephone number, fax number and email address for chief/sheriff […]

Dad’s been really busy with OTA’s, but this afternoon was just about us guys gettin’ haircuts! Yeah, I think I look pretty darn good!

After Wednesday's OTA, Ben Roethlisberger's top priority: a father-son haircut w/ young Benjamin. My 1-on-1 interview w/ Ben today on #WPXI

— Alby Oxenreiter (@albyox) June 3, 2015

Daddy will also be on the radio again during football season with the Cook & Poni Show!! You can read all about it here!

You don’t need golf clubs to have fun for good cause:

Get your tickets now for Ben’s Triple 7’s event here!

If you are unable to attend, but would like to make a donation to the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, you can do so here.

Steeler Nation lost a beautiful fan on earth when Pearl Sirota passed away last month. But she will still be cheering on “her” Ben in Heaven during football season!


Regular readers to Ben’s website may remember Pearl – she was featured here in November, 2013 as a special 88th birthday present from her family:

“Pearl was born and raised in New Ken (Kensington) and moved to the Dallas, Texas area to be close to me and my sister in 2004″, says Linda. “She has remained a die-hard Steelers fan, even in the heart of ‘Cowboys country’! Each Sunday, she dons her Roethlisberger jersey and watches the game at home if it’s broadcast locally. Otherwise, Pearl and I often visit a nearby sports bar to watch the game.” — Linda Lacinski, from that post on November 26th, 2013.

We received an email from Linda recently letting us know of her mother’s passing:

“One of Big Ben’s biggest fans went to heaven last month. You may remember our special story on Big Ben’s site in November of 2013 to help my mother, Pearl Sirota, celebrate her 88th birthday.

At the visitation at the funeral home, I had several people ask about her post on Ben’s site. Steelers fans are something special.

Pearl loved spending time with her family, whether it was a simple backyard cookout, a large family Thanksgiving dinner, or a special occasion like a Steeler football game.

Pearl donned her #7 jersey and positioned herself in front of her TV for every game she could while living in the Dallas, Texas area. A few local sports bars welcomed Pearl when games weren’t broadcast nationally.

She was the cutest Big Ben fan in the place!

While she may now be in heaven with her husband of 55 years, you can be sure she’s already requested a front row seat to see Big Ben and the rest of the Steelers take on the Patriots in the first game of the season.

She’ll be wearing her #7 jersey that she took with her (upon her request, we placed her favorite jersey in her casket to take with her to heaven), as well as her beautiful smile.

Pearl was a kind, thoughtful, and fun mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend to many. She will be missed.”

= STEELERS FAN HEAVEN…in Virginia!!


Plan now to 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:

– Current and former Steelers Big Ben (Saturday), Brett Keisel (Sunday), Hines Ward (Sunday), Jarvis Jones (Saturday) and HOF’er John Stallworth (Sunday).

*AND just added this afternoon: Rocky Bleier (Saturday)!


– 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 ticket and lodging information here.

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

“To be in the Hall of Fame, it’s not just me, it’s the unbelievable teammates I had that helped me along the way. We may not have the most NFL players from the MAC, but some of the best ones that have played the game have come from the MAC and I am proud of that. I am proud to say I am from the MAC, from Miami.” — Ben

From Teresa Varley at Steelers.com today:

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took part in Steelers OTAs on Wednesday, then headed to Cleveland where he was inducted into the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame as a part of the 2015 Induction Class.

Roethlisberger, who went to Miami University, is one of five individuals who received the honor at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel.

“We may be a small school, a small conference, but guys can make it and win Super Bowls, win championships. It’s such an awesome honor,” he said. “I couldn’t have done it without my coaches and teammates and I owe them a lot.”

Roethlisberger, the Steelers 1st round draft pick in 2004, completed 854 of 1,304 pass attempts for 10,829 yards and 84 touchdowns in his three seasons at Miami. His junior year, a season he said he will always remember, he threw for 4,486 yards and 37 touchdowns en route to a MAC Championship and GMAC Bowl victory.

Roethlisberger ranks first in completion percentage (.655) and touchdowns (84) at Miami, and second in pass attempts (854), completions (1,304), yards (10,829) and total offense (11,075).

“We had great football teams, great offenses, great coaches,” said Roethlisberger. “We were an NFL caliber style, pro-style offense where we threw the ball. We had great football teams and I am so fortunate to be a part of what I think is one of the best teams in college football, my junior year there.”

Roethlisberger was back at the Steelers practice facility on Thursday morning for the team’s next OTA session, something he .

“I had some friends come over and be with us for the event last night and I wanted to stay,” said Roethlisberger. “But it was important for me to be back here today with my teammates. If I can be here as much as I can it’s important to me.”


You can read more from Ms. Varley