A special Shout Out to Pearl Sirota, one of Big Ben’s biggest fans! Pearl will turn 88-years young on Thanksgiving Day this year.


Pearl’s proud daughter, Linda Lacinski, wanted to do something special for her mom this year, and said being on Ben’s website during the week of her birthday would be the icing on the cake!



“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.”

But Linda tells us that her mother is very protective about her Big Ben, and worries about him on every play!

“Pearl cringes when Big Ben is sacked. She’ll say, ‘He needs better protection or he’s going to get hurt’. Everyone around us laughs!

“Last Halloween, Pearl dressed up as her favorite Steeler for a party at her retirement home (photos above). While it may be an oxymoron, she was the sweetest looking football player ever.”

And Pearl is as tough as her quarterback –

“She fell in August and had to have back surgery recently; we moved her from an independent living apartment to an assisted living apartment. She is still getting adjusted after 2 weeks in the hospital and 4 weeks at an in-patient physical rehab center. But she is determined to get back to her old self.

As for her birthday celebration?

“You can bet we will have dinner, birthday cake and dishes completed in time for kickoff on Thanksgiving. We’re looking forward to Big Ben, Troy, and the rest of the Steelers taking down the Ravens AGAIN!!! Happy Birthday MOM!!!”


Happy Birthday Pearl! Hope it is the best day ever!

Every game does because we’re trying to get that one win. I’m going to tell you guys that I’m just going to keep answering the same way. We’re just trying to get one win. That’s all that matters. — On whether he thinks this game has a playoff do-or-die feel to it.

Ben spoke today about the rivalry with the Ravens, the absense of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, the performance of Kelvin Beachum, and more.

Some of the highlights:

Do you have a favorite moment of this rivalry, or something that sticks out?

There are a lot of them. Some of them are painful. Some are good memories, some obviously are bad. There have been a lot of great games between these two teams.


How is the Ravens defense different without Ray Lewis and Ed Reed?

Well, they’re obviously younger. They’ve got some young guys doing some really good things, but they still have [Terrell Suggs] and Elvis [Dumervil] over there. They still have some guys that can wreak some havoc and this is going to be another week and another tough test for us.


If you had to pinpoint one thing, what has helped you avoid the sacks the last couple weeks?

Gosh, I don’t know if it’s one thing. The line has been doing a great job of blocking. When we do the no-huddle, the ball can get out a little bit quicker because it uses shorter passes if I see things, or I check to a run. If you told me one thing, I’d say the play of the line. I thought they’ve been doing great.


Baltimore is a sack-driven defense. Do you feel you guys are in good position to handle that?

I hope so. It’s the guys up front, me, the receivers, tight ends – it’s on all of us. Sacks, I know it goes to the line, but it’s not on them. It’s on me as much as them, and running backs picking up blitzes, wide receivers seeing hots and sights. It’s going to be a big test, especially being on the road where it’s loud and they’re rowdy, they’ve got the field turf – it’s going to be a tough test for us.


Have you been surprised by the play of Kelvin Beachum?

He’s done a great job. If I […]

“Welcome to the #1 Cochran Ben Roethlisberger Show. We are pleased to be joined by the #1 pooch punter, Ben Roethlisberger.” — Vinnie Richichi

Ben was on the air this morning on 93.7 The Fan with Vinnie & Cook for his weekly #1 Cochran Ben Roethlisberger Show – one day early due to the short week!

Ben talks about the punt, his comfort level with Heath Miller, throwing to Antonio Brown, calling the no-huddle plays, watching the Steelers defense in action, Coach Tomlin, “roughing the passer” calls, facing the Ravens in their house on Thanksgiving night and….Thanksgiving at the Roethlisberger house:

His favorite Thanksgiving meal (which they will enjoy on Friday night):

“I’ve already put in my request for this Thanksgiving. I’ve asked for mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, rolls, and lots of desserts….I do mac & cheese.”


Who cooks the turkey?

“My dad usually does. We leave that to him! I usually watch the games and when I smell that turkey, just go munch and nibble and wait for the desserts. Desserts are my favorite, I have a sweet tooth!”


What are you thankful for?

“What’s not to be thankful for? Family, friends, this great country we live in. I mean, we get to talk on the radio freely, we get to play a great game. I’m thankful for all the troops that protect us both here and abroad. I’m thankful to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, I’m thankful for the fans, and just the great blessings that the good Lord has given me!”


You can read or listen to more here (podcast can be found at the bottom of the page).


As always, thank you to 93.7 The Fan, Vinnie Richichi, Ron Cook and #1 Cochran!

Before the month ends, we wanted to share some of the great photos shared by the best fans in sports, Steeler Nation! This month, it’s all about that Black & Gold pride!


We start with a very proud grandpa:


“I’m raising her right, Ben! I’m John Wright and the little one is my granddaughter, Adrian Gwinn!”



A very proud uncle:


Corey Podein and his nephew, Nolan, always dress in their Steelers finest before every game! “He is awesome!”, says Corey of his little cheering partner!



And siblings proud to be part of yesterday’s win!


That’s Taylor, Stephen & Stephanie Moore bundled up at the Steelers vs Browns game with their friend Nathan Sanford, the masked man.

“Being a Steelers fan is the best cause no matter what”, says Taylor Moore. “We stick together through thick and thin! For my brother, Stephen, the best thing was meeting Ben!”



Now don’t leave yet – we have more photos to share! There’s the proud dad who sent in a photo of his son’s class art project; Then there’s the Big fans, a couple of awesome Steelers Man Caves, and a Steelers Lady Cave which are all right here!

We have lots of new and adorable Lil’ Fans, as well as a new addition to the Lil’ Teammates album.

You can check out the latest Birthday Wishes winners here.

Of course, there’s always a Steelers pet or two to show off…and a….uh…well, we also have a black & gold chicken! Yes, a Steelers chicken! You saw it here folks!

That’s 30 photos in all (it’s been a busy month)!

*Thank you to everyone who took the time to share them with us.

“I’m not looking around. It’s all about focus. This game is over now. That’s all we can control.” — Ben, on post-season speculation.

From Will Graves, AP:

“Ben Roethlisberger leads Steelers past Browns, into playoff picture”

Their horrendous start has long been forgotten, erased with an equally unexpected turnaround.

The Steelers are in contention, right back where they belong. The playoffs are possible.

Ben Roethlisberger threw touchdown passes to Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders and beat Cleveland for the 16th time as Pittsburgh, which opened the season with four straight losses, pushed deeper into the postseason picture with a 27-11 win over the Browns on Sunday.

The Steelers (5-6) have climbed back with a one-game-at-a-time philosophy that they’re not about to abandon.

Roethlisberger connected on a 41-yard TD pass to Brown in the first half, and hit Sanders on a 4-yarder in the third quarter for the Steelers, who only have a few days to get ready for a Thanksgiving game at Baltimore — a matchup that didn’t look as if it would be very meaningful a few weeks back.

Roethlisberger finished 22 of 34 for 217 yards and improved to 16-1 against the Browns (4-7), who have lost five of six and seen a promising season turn into yet another miserable one.

An Ohio native, Roethlisberger relishes beating a team from his home state.

“It’s homecoming, you know, a home game,” he said. “So it does feel good.”


You can read more from Mr. Graves post-game report here.

“Everybody was saying they aren’t the same Pittsburgh. But at the end of the day they did what they do best.” — Willis McGahee, from the column below.

From Bud Shaw, Cleveland Plain Dealer:

“Cleveland Browns are Ben Roethlisberger’s patsies once again”

As part of his ownership stake in the Browns, Ben Roethlisberger might be tempted to pitch city council today on the deal to renovate his personal lakefront playground.

Who has more fun in this place? (Not you or me, certainly).

Who feels more at home? (Not any of the 117 or so quarterbacks who’ve started games for the Browns during Roethlisberger’s career)

If the first 15 times didn’t convince you, the 16th should. That’s Roethlisberger’s record against the Browns now: 16-1. Which is only ridiculous.

Even with the mental agility of a sports writer, it’s easy […]

“When Ben came over and met her, it was the most awesome thing I ever saw.” — Michelle Converse.

From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:

When Steelers practice ended and Ben Roethlisberger walked over to 15-year old Jessica Converse, you could just feel the excitement.

Because for Converse, the wish she made almost a year ago, was coming true. And her smile was as bright as can be.

Converse is visually and hearing impaired, considered legally blind and deaf, and also suffers from an enlarged heart, high blood pressure and is diabetic.

She was the Steelers guest at practice through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, meeting Roethlisberger and his teammates.

“I am just so glad she was able to get her wish with all of the different problems she has,” said her mother, Michelle Converse. “She has been waiting for this and it was so overwhelming and exciting for all of us. When Ben came over and met her, it was the most awesome thing I ever saw. I got overwhelmed when they all came up around her.”


You can see more photos here!


*Thank you to Ms. Varley and the Steelers!