“Looking back at the film, we have done some good things offensively-speaking and we’ve gotten better every week. We just have to continue to improve and not take any steps back. We feel like we’re close.”

Ben’s weekly interview with the media took place on Tuesday before practice because of the team’s bye week.

Some highlights:

On whether he takes back his post-game comments on Sunday evening about being the “worst team”:

I was talking record-wise. If you look record-wise, we are one of them. That’s coming at a time when you don’t know what happened in the rest of the games of the week. I still don’t know how many teams are winless but if you look at records, which I am always a big believer in wins and losses, not numbers, then I would say we are, record-wise, one of the worst teams in the NFL. I don’t think it’s a far stretch.


On whether he takes the losses personally, “Does it hurt more?”

I take pride in winning football games more than any numbers. That’s what I’ve based my career on so far, wins and losses, so it definitely stings. Coach Hoeppner always said that the quarterback takes too much credit in a win, and too much blame in a loss. It’s painful to lose games, because I’ll put it on myself.


On the injury to his right forefinger, a subluxation or partial dislocation – which occurred Sunday when he followed through on a pass and struck Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway:

It’s fine. I told coach today I’d practice today if he’d let me. I don’t know if he’ll let me but I’d go because I want to be out there.


On the non-call (horse-collar) and taking sacks:

What happened on that particular play, I got up. That’s the hard part. Everyone talks about don’t take a sack. Well, when a guy grabs you from behind, you don’t know a sack is coming. It’s not like there was much I could do. He grabbed me and got me down. I got up and looked at the referee, and I kind of motioned for a horse-collar. He told me I was in the pocket and there is no horse-collar. He is correct. That’s been brought up to me in the past, because it has […]

More from Ben after the team’s 34-27 loss to the Minnesota Vikings:

“You know, we stick together. Through thick and thin, we stay together…this team, these coaches. That’s what we do. That’s what we need to do.

“Right now, I’d say we’re the worst team in the league, and that hurts. You know, as a competitor, you don’t like that, and want to do everything you can to win a football game, to turn it around. You just have to walk a fine line of not trying to do too much and hurt the team or hurt yourself. We’ve just got to keep playing as a team and find a way [to win].”

You can listen to Ben’s post-game interview here.

…at Wembley Stadium. — Ben






And one from yesterday’s Steelers Fan Rally:





You can see a few more here!

Henry Hodgson, of NFL.com and NFL-UK shared this great photo with fans during this afternoon’s Fan Rally on Regent Street:

“A sea of Steelers fans greet the players on Regent Street.” — Mr. Hodgson

You can see more photos from the Rally & the team’s first day in London here.



Swiss fans happy to see Big Ben LIVE at Wembley Stadium tomorrow:


Sisters Silvia & Eveline Lehmann showing their Steelers pride!

“We are really excited to be able to see the Steelers and Ben in Europe. I’m just glad when it gets some attention that there are fans in Switzerland. We will be showing the flag at Wembley on Sunday. We’ve been fans for many years and never thought it possible to see the Steelers live. That’s just great that they play in Europe for us fans over here. We appreciate it very much. Go Steelers!!” — Silvia

You can see more photos shared by fans this weekend here!

“It’s an awesome honor. I want to represent the black and gold and the NFL. I knew we had fans all over the world, but the last time I was here I got to meet them and see a bunch of them.” — Ben.

The Steelers met with the media this morning in London, just a few hours after their arrival. Some of the highlights from NFL.com:

Cornerback Ike Taylor was in high spirits — or just delirious with exhaustion — as he took his first questions from the assembled media, which largely was a British contingent.

“I love your accent,” Taylor said after receiving the first question at the podium. “Say that again, please.”

The 11-year veteran had the media laughing as he said, “I would love to meet the Queen. She’s the head lady.” Taylor also appealed to the press to toss some British slang words to him so that he could fit in while in London.

Inevitably, Roethlisberger was asked about the famous London landmark with which he shares a nickname.

“People keep asking me how many times I’m going to hear that joke this week,” ‘Big Ben’ said. “I’m supposed to keep count of how many times people mention it.”

For all the fun, though, the Steelers made it clear that they aren’t in London for anything but a victory on Sunday. With an 0-4 start essentially spelling doom for an NFL team — only the 1992 Chargers have made it to the postseason after losing their first four games — the novelty of playing a game in London will be overshadowed by the urgency of needing that first win.

“For us every game is a must-win,” Roethlisberger said. “That’s the way we approach every game. The only difference this week is that we’re in a different country.”


You can read more here.


And from the British Daily Mail:

The Steelers arrived in England in the unfamiliar position of beginning the season 0-3. It is their worst start in 27 years and, should they lose to Minnesota on Sunday, Pittsburgh face the prospect of falling to 0-4 ahead of their bye week.

‘Its frustrating when you’re not winning football games because it hurts,’ Roethlisberger said: ‘As a leader and a guy who has been around a […]

From Ben this afternoon:

Earlier this week we took my dog, Zeus, to the vet because one morning he didn’t seem like himself. When we got there, they didn’t see much wrong but wanted to run some tests. So, thinking it was nothing big we were going to leave and they were gonna call us when he was done. Luckily for us, we went and said goodbye to him and he was tail-wagging and looking as chipper as ever so we thought nothing of the goodbye.

Ashley, Benjamin Jr., and the boys, Hercules and Zeus welcoming Daddy home from training camp.

We got a call later that day saying he had a bunch of cancer in his intestines and the vet recommended not waking him up from surgery because it could be miserable for him, and there was no treatment for him. We had to make the painful decision to put him down. Taking comfort in the fact that he wasn’t in pain, and we got to see him happy at the end made it a little bit easier of a decision – but not much.

Zeus was with me for 9 years and was my first dog. He was my man and had been there through Super Bowls, tough losses, injuries, snow storms and the heat. He was the best and I feel blessed to have had him in my/our lives for so long. I know he’s in heaven waiting to play tag or just cuddle again soon.

Me and “my man”, Zeus.

Zeus, we will always miss you, never forget you, and always remember the funny, happy loving times you have given us, and yes even some of the bad times like when you were a pup and chewed my night stand, lol. You were even so patient with Benjamin when he pulled a handful of your hair right out and you didn’t even flinch.

Love you buddy! Don’t rest in peace bud, because I know you would rather be chasing chipmunks and squirrels! Gone but never forgotten, ZEUS ROETHLISBERGER!



More photos here.