“I want to thank Ben and Ashley for their support of Miami Athletics. This gift continues our vision to make a difference in the lives of our student-athletes and that includes winning MAC Championships. I am thankful that both Ben and Ashley share in that same vision.” — Miami Athletics Director David Sayler.

In October of last year, Ben and Ashley agreed to donate $1 million towards the Indoor Sports Center at Miami University.

The Indoor Sports Center, which is almost complete, features a full-length 120-yard playing surface that will be called “Ben Roethlisberger Field.” According to the Miami Redhawks site, the new facility “will positively impact all 19 of Miami’s sports programs and allow teams to train year-round”.

“This gift is a huge thank you to everything, on and off the field, that Miami University provided me. Attending Miami was one of the best decisions of my life and I am happy to play a small part in helping to rebuild this football program.” — Ben.

More from the Miami Redhawks:

In his time at Miami, Roethlisberger completed 854-of-1,304 pass attempts for 10,829 yards and 84 touchdowns from 2001-03. His junior campaign was one for the ages, throwing for 4,486 yards and 37 touchdowns, leading Miami to 12-consecutive wins, including a Mid-American Conference Championship and GMAC Bowl victory. That season alone, he captured third-team All-America honors and was just the third player in Miami history to garner the Vern Smith Award as the Mid-American Conference Most Valuable Player.

Roethlisberger to this day still ranks first in Miami history in completion percentage (.655) and touchdowns, and is second in pass attempts, completions, yards and total offense (11,075).


Take the tour of Ben Roethlisberger Field, with Kyle Kron (@kylekronMiami):





*Photo courtesy of Taylor Housewright (@Coach_House_MU)

…while hangin’ out with a future NFL legend!


Jill Kelly @HJKforever
Just two QB’s hanging out and getting some snowmobiling in during the off-season! #brotherhood

…have been nominated for the FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Year!


Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Roethlisberger had 32 touchdown passes this season and led the Steelers to an AFC North Championship. Roethlisberger tied Saints QB Drew Brees for the most passing yards this season (4,952 yards). He received his third Pro Bowl nod and with 39,057 career passing yards, he currently sits in 16th place on the all-time leaders list.

Roethlisberger was nominated for FedEx Air Player of the Week six times, winning four times.


Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers

Bell finished the season as the AFC’s leading rusher and second in the NFL with 1,361 yards. Bell also had 854 receiving yards, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk (1999) as the only players in NFL history with 1,350-plus rushing yards and 850-plus receiving yards in the same season.

Bell was nominated for FedEx Ground Player of the Week five times, winning three times.


If you’d like to cast your vote, you can do so here.


FedEx will announce the 2014 FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year winners at the “4th Annual NFL Honors” awards show in Arizona, a two-hour primetime special to air nationally on January 31st on NBC, the night before Super Bowl XLIX.

Join Brett Keisel for his 5th Annual Mountain Man Makeover!

When: Wednesday, February 4th at 6:00pm.

Where: Jergel’s Rhythm Grille in Warrendale, PA.

Tickets: $50 per person includes your first drink & appetizers.


This isn’t just a beard-shaving for the fun of it, although there will be an array of celebrity shearers (like #7 above) on hand, or rather with scissors in hand to make it a lot of fun, the shearing benefits cancer programs at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh UPMC.


For more information, check out Brett’s official website!


Photos: Ben decided not to take any chances the last time he was a guest barber, so he donned a pair of giant rubber gloves because according to him, he knew “all about the food particles that lurked and nestled in that beard”!

Benjamin Jr. knows!!!

Mom & Dad took him to see Sesame Street Live today at the Consol Energy Center for their Make A New Friend Show. He got to see his favorite, Elmo, along with Grover, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird, the Cookie Monster and more, dancing and singing on stage & teaching little ones about friendship.

Benjamin is too excited to look at the camera! — Ben



He is really into the action on stage! — Ben



I’m so happy and moving so fast to the music that I’m just a big blur for poor Dad!! — Benjamin, Jr.



Just me and my best friend learning about friendship! — Benjamin, Jr.



The Sesame Street Live show will be in Pittsburgh through this Sunday, and tickets are still available!

From Ben’s agent today:

“Ben was instructed by team doctors to avoid strenuous activity due to inflammation in his knee, thus he will not play in the Pro Bowl. His knee will not require surgery and he looks forward to an otherwise healthy offseason to improve with his teammates.” — Ryan Tollner, REP 1 Sports.