“It’s amazing the good things that happen to you when you grow up a little.” — Ben

From Mr. Cook’s interview with Ben for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

On Sunday, Ben Roethlisberger did what he does best as an elite NFL quarterback, throwing for two touchdowns and running for another, leading the Steelers to an unlikely, season-sustaining win against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

But on this Thursday night, he is at his North Hills home, doing some nice work as a father, changing a dirty diaper. Wife Ashley is off to the Penguins-Minnesota Wild game, the highlight of a girls night out. Roethlisberger is alone with Ben Jr., who turned 1 Nov. 21. The two are having a blast. Roethlisberger does the diaper thing with the same precision he threw the touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes to win Super Bowl XLIII.

“I love being a father,” Roethlisberger said. “I love the responsibility. I love the patience it teaches you.”

It makes for a wonderful holiday picture, Roethlisberger, such a big man, holding that baby boy in his arms. Soon, there will be another face in the family team photo. The Roethlisbergers are expecting a girl in March.

“I like the path I’m on,” Roethlisberger said, “and I like who I’m on it with.”

You think the Steelers might be on the verge of an amazing comeback, from an 0-4 start this season to a spot in the playoffs? The team has nothing on Roethlisberger, who has climbed out of a much deeper, darker hole. Wasn’t it just yesterday that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him for conduct detrimental to the league? Now, Roethlisberger is a finalist — one of 32 — for the NFL’s most prestigious annual honor, the Walter Payton Award.

He is the Steelers’ nominee, not just because he’s having, arguably, the best season of his career, but because of his community service. The award celebrates what really is important. Former Steelers Franco Harris, Joe Greene, Lynn Swann and Jerome Bettis won it, as did former Pitt and Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino. The Payton Award will be presented at Super Bowl XLVIII Feb. 2 in New Jersey.

“I knew who I was and how I was raised,” Roethlisberger said. “I also knew who I wasn’t, if that makes any sense. I knew […]

Merry Christmas to everyone out there from the Roethlisberger family, hope everyone has a blessed holiday. — Ben, Ashley and JR

“The goal is always to get better. Coach Hep always said, ‘You either improve or you deteriorate, you never stay the same.’ I want to keep getting better physically, mentally. I still feel like my best football’s ahead of me.” — Ben

Ben spoke to the media this afternoon before practice and was asked about the Steelers season finale against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field:

We’re going to give it everything we have and play every play like it’s our last!


On playoff teams (the Kansas City Chiefs in particular) resting starters –

They have the right. If a team goes undefeated and [starters] don’t have to play the last two or three games then they shouldn’t have to. It’s up to them. I think a lot of players would want to play unless they aren’t quite healthy and want to get that extra rest. Every team, every situation’s different. Some people take the mentality of let’s let some guys rest. If you’re pretty banged up it’s a good opportunity to get rest. If you’re playing pretty well it’s a momentum thing. You can keep going and build your way into the postseason.


On his health this season –

I haven’t missed a day of practice I don’t think, have played every snap, knock on wood. I give credit to the line they’ve done such a great job of keeping me clean and I think that extra working out I did this offseason really paid off as well.


Christmas Eve or Christmas morning present opener?

We’ll do Christmas Eve with my family tonight and Christmas with ourselves and [Ashley’s] side of the family tomorrow!


On whether Christmas means more now that his family is starting to grow –

Yeah, it’s neat. I think next year will be a little bit better because right now all he cares about is the boxes and the wrapping paper! Once he starts liking presents it will be a little better! (laughs).


Ben is also is asked about those hurdles from Le’Veon Bell, scoreboard watching, sacks, holding the ball “too long”, and jokes about his running touchdown in the Packers game!


You can watch video of his full interview here.



Did you miss Ben’s radio show today on 93.7 The Fan?

After a win over the Packers and a […]

Just eatin’ lunch on a daddy-son day while mommy is out doing some last minute Christmas shopping! Wanted to say ‘Hi’! — Benjamin, Jr.

“My first time ever in Lambeau. Cold, snow, crazy game. May never get back here.” — Ben to the media, post-game.

Big Ben completed 16-of-28 passes for 167 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception in today’s game. He also had a rushing touchdown of 13-yards in the third quarter to put the team up 17 to 14. He threw two touchdown passes to Emmanuel Sanders and Matt Spaeth, and he hooked up with Antonio Brown 6 times for 105 yards.

“The sea parted for him up the middle and he took it in for the score.” — Rotoworld.com

From Alan Robinson, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Le’Veon Bell scored from 1 yard out with 1:25 remaining, and the Steelers turned two Green Bay turnovers into touchdowns, and overcame an inexplicable call that cost them a potential score to keep their faint playoff hopes alive with a 38-31 win Sunday over the Packers at snowy, frigid Lambeau Field.

The Steelers (7-8) trailed 21-17 after blocking a field goal only to have the officials award Green Bay the ball, but responded with two touchdowns in 18 seconds to take a 10-point lead, then overcame a Green Bay 10-point comeback in the fourth quarter.

Troy Polamalu forced a Matt Flynn fumble that defensive end Brett Keisel recovered with 1:51 remaining. Bell, who went over 100 yards for the first time in his career, scored five plays later.

The Packers appeared to be in position to tie it following Micah Hyde’s 70-yard kickoff return, but a false started penalty on a second-and-1 play from the Steelers’ 1 resulted in a 10-second runoff that greatly aided the Steelers. Flynn then threw incomplete into the end zone, and the Steelers’ held on for an improbable win.

To get into the playoffs, they must beat Browns on the Sunday, the Jets must beat the Dolphins, the Bengals must beat the Ravens and the Chiefs must beat the Chargers.


You can read more from Mr. Robinson here.



From Dejan Kovacevic, also at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

When the Steelers were ridiculously ripped off by the refs after that blocked field goal, they met in the huddle breathing fire, per Foster: “We were steamed. I mean … wow. But you know what? We had to take control from the refs. We had to take it into our hands. […]

Celebrating the holiday season in Black & Gold!

It’s not just another monthly Fan Photos post, at this time of year we’ve given it a festive holiday flair! And fans aren’t just decorating it Steelers Style this year, they are living it:


Cutest little elf!

“Our son Wyatt enjoying his first Steelers Christmas, Black & Gold tree and all!” — Jaime & Cy Greer

Steelers training camp in December?


That’s what Sarah Swenson thinks about when she attends camp during the summer!

“I picked a photo from each training camp visit I’ve made and had an ornament made. I have 2 on my tree now and just need to have 1 made from this year’s trip. Thought you might enjoy my festive tree.” — Sarah

A Steelers Family Christmas card!


John & Rochelle Kenny and their daughter Arielle pose in their favorite jerseys. John was born and raised in Mt. Oliver on the South Side.

“I married into the dynasty 15 years ago and root for the team 365 days of the year whether we are having a good season or not.” — Rochelle

Is that a….a shoe in the family Christmas tree?


Yes, it is! This is Mary Rafail’s shoe…or rather Ben’s shoe! Mary was one of Ben’s Birthday Wishes Drawing winners back in September of 2011. She decided her autographed shoe from Ben needed to take center stage on her Steelers tree!

“I love my Ben shoe. It is the center of my home, lol! My husband has a signed photo of him, and one of Dick Butkus, and a football signed by Mike Singletary…but my Ben shoe is the most popular of all! Everyone wants to touch it!” — Mary

You can see Mary posing with her birthday shoe here! You can see a full photo of her Shoe Tree here!



Wait! There’s more holiday cheer!

We have four pages of some of the best looking Steelers Christmas trees, a wreath, a rather overzealous elf, and of course, the best fans in the world dressed for the season all right here.

We also have some adorable Lil’ […]