Ben was a call-in guest earlier today with Bob Pompeani on 93.7 The Fan. Some of the highlights:


He talked about Jerome Bettis & the HOF –

“Well, to me, and obviously I’m going to be a little more biased, but it’s more than just about the football player. I mean Jerome is the Pittsburgh Steelers….in my era, Jerome IS Pittsburgh. His stats speak for themselves, he has done so much on the football field. But as a leader of the community, and of the young men who came into that locker room, me, he has done so much and meant so much for the game of football, for the city, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. For me it’s a no-brainer [that he should be a Hall of Famer].”


He spoke of K9 Officer Rocco –

“It’s so sad. I’ve got many friends that are K9 officers and officers in general. Some people look at this as just a dog, well you know what? It’s way more than that, it’s an officer. I talked to Officer Phil Lerza last night, I talked to him after the incident wishing him and Rocco the best. Then obviously Rocco passed away, and I talked to Phil yesterday and last night a couple times to let him know we’re thinking about him.

“You know, it’s more than just a partner. It’s one thing to have a human partner that you deal with at work only This is a partner that goes home with him, it effects his family – his kids, his wife – that’s a family dog as well. It effects more than just one person. It’s truly sad what happened. Rocco served very well here for eight years and did a great job. I just told Phil that we’re thinking about him and wishing him the best and we’ll do what we can as a foundation to help him out.”


Ben was also asked about kickers in the HOF, the NFL’s playoff format, and the offenses vs defenses in the Super Bowl tomorrow.


You can listen to the podcast here.


*Thank you to Mr. Pompeani and to Mr. Mike Vukovcan of KDKA.

17-year old Steelers fan Jesse Stemen got the surprise of his life when he attended the Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon & Ceremony for his cousin last Saturday:


My second cousin, Denise Stemen, and Ben’s dad Ken were being inducted into the Elida Hall of Fame last Saturday. I actually didn’t realize that Ben’s dad was being inducted, only that my cousin was. When we got to the luncheon, and I saw that Ken Roethlisberger was being inducted too, I was like, “Wow! That’d be so cool if Ben came to this!”

I’ve been a huge Steelers fan since I was born, so is most of my family.

My grandpa, Dave Stemen, and I were standing by the door, and all of a sudden Ben walked in. I was so shocked because I mean, come on, it’s Big Ben!!

Everyone sat down to eat with their own families but all in the same room – and I was still in shock! My family told me to go up and talk to him but I didn’t want to because I figured he gets enough of that and he was there for his dad.



After lunch while we were all talking around our table, I didn’t realize my grandpa had gotten up and left. I heard him calling out to me and I turned and saw that he was talking to Ben. I was nervous! I went over to them and Ben reached out and shook my hand. We took a couple of pictures together and then I asked him, “Hey can I take a snapchat picture of us?” and Ben goes, “Sure! Why not!”

My grandpa, who is the Cleveland Browns fan in the family, was talking and joking around with him. My grandpa told him, “Hate to tell you Ben, but I’m a big Brownie fan!” Ben laughed and told him that was “okay”. My grandpa then said, “But my son (my dad, Bill) and my grandson (me) are HUGE Steelers fans!” Ben told him, “They are good people!”.

After the induction ceremony I had to leave for work, and ended up leaving my bag behind, which had a Steelers logo on it. While I was at work, I got a text from my grandpa that had a photo of […]

Teresa Varley, Steelers.com, asked Ben and other former teammates of ‘The Bus’ what made him special, both on and off the field:

“He is one of the best of all time. His numbers, he has a Super Bowl. What he has done on the football field is easily deserving of Canton. He is the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“He was someone you knew put in the hard work, he wasn’t going to make mistakes, you could count on him. He was a proven guy, a veteran who always went hard.

“It was more than just how special he was as a football player. What he did on the football field spoke for itself. The leadership, the type of player he was. It was the locker room, off the field, the community. When I first got here it was the time the WWJD bracelets, What Would Jesus Do, came out and I would laugh when I was doing things and think, What Would Jerome Do. He is someone I tried to mold myself after. That is what made him so special, outside of the talent he had on the field.”


You can read more from Ms. Varley’s interviews here.


Finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame will be selected tomorrow.



Also:

Catch Ben’s interview tomorrow (Saturday, February 1st) with Bob Pompeani during his radio show at 93.7 The Fan! You can listen to Bob between 11am and 1pm!

Our condolences go out to Officer Phil Lerza in the loss of his partner Rocco. Canine Officer Rocco has faithfully served in the Pittsburgh Police Department for the last 8 years. It is unfortunate situations like this that keeps our foundation doing what it does and why we are so passionate about trying to help protect our law enforcement officers. Thank you Rocco for your service and dedication.

…but Ben’s football camp this summer will be DELIGHTFUL!

“I am looking forward to having another great event that continues to impact hundreds of kids and plan to honor the folks that have helped me in each of the 7 years.” — Ben

You don’t have to wait until Spring this year to register your child to attend the Ben Roethlisberger ProCamps Football Camp, sponsored by #1 Cochran – you can sign up today with our special discount code below.


The Camp is open to boys and girls, grades 1 through 8.

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. 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, Charlie Batch, and even Coach Tomlin!

“Jonathan had a blast and will be back next year. I am VERY impressed with the camp. My stepmother actually got to tell Ben that her grandson won the contest. I actually had the opportunity to tell Ben thanks myself; he is a great guy. Ben told Jonathan, ‘nice catch!’ and it made his day!” – William Porter, PA

Dates: June 16th & 17th, 2014

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.

“We just got back from Ben’s camp in Harmony, PA. It was truly amazing! Still in awe right now, actually. I just can’t believe someone of Ben’s fame or standing was so attentive. He never seemed to take a break and was always on the field. Then throwing 487 passes so EVERY kid had the opportunity to catch one from him? I doubt anyone else does that. I was fortunate enough that not only did Bryce catch his pass, but I was able to catch the entire thing on video. Something he, WE, […]

6-year old James DeSantis wanted to share the story of his exciting day at Heinz Field this past season with Ben and his other fans. He wanted it to be his story, with just a little help from mom and dad:

My favorite team is the Pittsburgh Steelers! I love watching the Steelers and Big Ben on TV, but I really wanted to go to Pittsburgh to see a game with my daddy. It seems like he gets to go all the time! So on August 24th we loaded up and daddy drove me from Ohio to Pittsburgh for the preseason game against the Chiefs. It was a long drive but I didn’t care!


Before the game my daddy took me to a store so I could get my own Steelers jersey. I had a few choices, but of course I picked #7! We went to a place called ‘Station Square’ where daddy took me on a boat and we rode across the river to Heinz Field. It was so big!!! My daddy found me a good spot to watch the game. We had fun watching the Steelers, and I cheered extra loud for Big Ben!!

I cheer for the Steelers to win every weekend, and sometimes I cry when they lose. I like the Steelers because they play good. Ben Roethlisberger is my favorite player because he is a great quarterback. I hope he gets to win another Super Bowl.

When I grow up I will play for the Steelers. I will be #19 and Big Ben will pass me the ball for a touchdown. Go Steelers!


From James’ mom, Mardee:

“James was born with a genetic disease called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). He is still walking and running, but has low stamina and uses a wheelchair or wagon when walking any long distance (like into the stadium). His latest accomplishment is that he figured out how to maneuver his body to be able to ‘punt’ his football. He is so proud of himself!”


We’re proud of him too! Go James!!! And thank you for sharing your fun day with us!