Garth Brooks is in concert this weekend in Pittsburgh playing to a sold-out crowd all four days at the Consol Energy Center.

WTAE’s Amber Nicotra & Kelly Brennan caught up with him last night during his sound check and he had something interesting to say about #7 and being a member of Steeler Nation:

“What I love about Pittsburgh is its people. I’ve been a Pittsburgh fan forever, but it’s Ben Roethlisberger that said the quote that defined Pittsburgh, that I went, ‘Of course!’ They said, ‘What is it about Pittsburgh?’ He said, ‘People here expect you to get back up.’ That’s my kind of people. I love that. That’s a great explanation of this town – hard working, good, honest people.”

Ben shared photos (like the one at left) from a trip to Nashville in July of 2013.

He and Ashley were guests of Garth and his wife, Trisha Yearwood at their home for a private concert to thank supporters of Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids foundation:

“We are at an Appreciation Party for ‘Teammates for Kids’ with Garth Brooks and my wife is on Cloud 9! Thank you Garth and Trisha for your amazing love and friendship!” – Ben, July 13, 2013.

Teammates for Kids focuses on helping children in the areas of health, education, and inner-city outreach. From funding Child Life Zones for pediatric hospital patients, to raising money for youth sports leagues, to paying for complicated facial and dental surgeries. They accomplish these goals by partnering with professional athletes, corporations, celebrities, and individuals from the private sector.


You can learn more about Garth’s foundation here.

You can see more photos here & here.

Tanner Montgomery @Tanner_M
Back in the day when @_BigBen7 used to babysit me and @Cole1Peterson at @MiamiOHFootball #Miami #Redhawks


Tanner’s father, Shane, was the offensive coordinator at Miami University from 2001 to 2005 before becoming the RedHawks 32nd head football coach, succeeding Terry Hoeppner, from 2005 to 2008. He is now the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Youngstown State University.

Cole Peterson’s father, John, is the Offensive Line Coach at the University of Pittsburgh, but from 1999 to 2003, was the offensive line coach and run-game coordinator for the RedHawks.

And apparently they put Ben on babysitting duties back in the day, which didn’t appear to go all that well (at least in this photo)!


Tanner shared another photo with us last year.

Okay, well it IS Wednesday, but it’s also Shear Da Beard Day!!


And look who stepped up to do a little shearing: Big Ben and Coach Tomlin!


*Thank you to WDVE’s Val Porter and Randy Baumann for the photos.


You can check out more photos on Brett Keisel’s website.

“We came to the camp from Southport, NC. My son, and the rest of the family are huge fans of the Steelers organization and Ben. Thank you, Ben, and the pro camps staff for providing such a great opportunity for the kids!” — Debi Dolan-Prince

Run! Don’t walk…

To the GIANT EAGLE Ben Roethlisberger ProCamps Football Camp website today and sign your child up with our special discount code below.

The Camp is open to boys and girls, grades 1 through 8, and Ben will be joined by a selection of the top prep and college coaches from the area.

Each day, the campers will experience various stations, specializing in fundamental skills of football.

Individual groups will be small to assure that each camper gets maximum instruction.

Ben will give daily talks highlighting the finer points of the game of football and beyond, as well as be on the field EVERYWHERE helping coaches and throwing passes. Parents and guests will be able to listen to camp guests in designated areas at each location.

And you never know who will show up to help out #7!

Kids that have attended Ben’s Camp have had the opportunity to meet and get instruction from Brett Keisel, David DeCastro & and Kelvin Beachum, Charlie Batch, and even Coach Tomlin, who helped judge the races last year!

And Ben’s camp is always a family affair!

You’re sure to see Ashley & Baylee, his parents Ken & Brenda, and of course, Lil’ Ben!

“The expressions on the three boys’ faces who appear to be watching to see if the boy who is the receiver catches Ben’s pass is great! Ben, your investment in these boys’ lives will never be forgotten.” — Lisa W. Mayfield

Dates: June 15th & 16th, 2015

Times: 09:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Place: Seneca Valley High School, Harmony, PA

Cost: $199. Use the code BigBen7 for $20 off the registration fee.

“It was a great camp! Thanks so much for taking the time to throw a pass to every kid. My son said it was the best day of his life!” – Joey Parks Mason

Each camper will receive –

• An autographed photo from Ben

• A camp team photo with Ben

• A […]

…. is set to open next Friday!!

“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.

You can read more about it right here!


*Photo courtesy of Kyle Kron (@kylekronMiami).

From Steeler Nation on Facebook:


“My 9 year old son, Luke (above) followed Ben the entire day today for the Waste Management Open (he was THE ONLY KID who followed him the entire day). Ben was so gracious and kind. He made it a ‘live-over’ day for us both. A day so good – you wanna live it over again. He signed a bunch of things, took photos with us and even gave Luke, my son one of this custom made golf club protectors.

“Ben was so incredibly awesome to ALL his fans that day. He signed and posed and signed and posed. I feel so blessed to have that memory. We love the Steelers. My son is so funny to watch the game with. Knows the plays, stats etc. Ben will remember him from that day – they joked a lot. Ben asked him to take a shot for him that he had made and it landed way off course….then later on the 18th, he did the same thing and my son was like ‘hey, you want me to take this shot for you’ – everyone laughed. Ben was like, ‘Hey it’s you! I asked you to take a harder shot for me earlier…and you should have!’.” — Cherie Hannon-Hoover.

“Ben was the most gracious player there. He stopped at every hole. Took pics. Signed autographs. And while he walked between holes he autographed small footballs that his caddy carried in a large bag…. then at the holes he threw them up to the stands. Wow. So cool to see and meet him.” — Kathy Ruffing Byerly.

“Thanks Ben for inspiring my son at the TPC this week! You are a wonderful example of hard work paying off!” — Steve Sherman.



“First I’d like to say how bummed I was that I couldn’t be there in person because I was at home with a sleeping 7-month old. So my boyfriend, Albert Morales (above), got a picture for me outside the Blue Martini restaurant. My family are all huge Steelers fans – from my grandmother Stephanie, who went to high school with Franco Harris – to my uncle’s family and my family, thanks to my mom! I just had a son named […]