“It means a lot to me. We are in such an awesome spot. I have such an opportunity to give back to the community I call home. Pittsburgh is home to me. I love doing things for the community, for the kids, for people, just helping out. This is a small thing I feel I can do to help.” — Ben

From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com this evening:

When the letters are given to him by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, it’s hard for Ben Roethlisberger not to feel a wave of emotion. Whether it’s a young child writing to thank him for making their dream of going to Disney World come true, or a girl excited because her room got a makeover, Roethlisberger is always filled with joy knowing he put a smile on a child’s face, helping them forget their struggles at least for a while.

“To see those letters, to hear about the kids, it touches my heart because I love the kids,” said Roethlisberger.

And on Sunday night, Roethlisberger went back to work helping to make more dreams come true, hosting his second annual Ben Roethlisberger Foundation fundraiser at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille, which benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia and K-9 Police and Fire Units.

“It means a lot to be able to come out and have fun and raise money for the foundation, Make-A-Wish and the K-9 units,” said Roethlisberger, who is also hosting a golf outing on Monday. “It’s awesome to have my teammates and friends come out and support it.”

Roethlisberger’s teammates were on hand giving their full support, including Heath Miller, Maurkice Pouncey, Brett Keisel, Kelvin Beachum, Landry Jones, offensive line coach Jack Bicknell and former Steelers running back Merril Hoge, who loves seeing the work he is doing.

Roethlisberger’s Foundation began by providing K-9 grants to police and fire departments in the Pittsburgh area, as well as cities where the Steelers play. To date the foundation has funded the purchase of 66 dogs, in addition to the training of dogs and handlers, and the purchase of safety equipment.

His passion for granting wishes through Make-A-Wish gave him the idea to expand the work of his foundation, raising funds to help grant wishes as well.

“If I can make a wish come true for them and give […]

…and for the Steelers Dad who likes to “Grill & Chill” we have the perfect Father’s Day gift idea:


The Black & Gold BBQ Cooler!

Big Ben’s BBQ Sauce has a special offer this year on two different gift sets for you to choose from to surprise your dad with on Sunday, June 16th –


THE MEAT COOLER (pictured) for just $49.99 includes:


– Black and Gold Cooler (12 can capacity)
– 1 Rack of Big Ben’s Baby Back Ribs
– 1 lb of Big Ben’s Pulled Pork
– 1 lb of Big Ben’s Shredded Chicken
– 1 bottle Big Ben’s Mild BBQ Sauce

(All meats are fully-cooked!)


THE SAUCE / RUB COOLER for just $44.99 includes:

– Black and Gold Cooler (12 can capacity)
– Big Ben’s BBQ Gift Pack ( Mild BBQ & Spicy Wing)
– Big Ben’s Habanera Hot Sauce
– Millers Spicy Mustard
– Quaker Steak & Seasoning Meat Rub
– Black & Gold Candle


How do you order in time for Father’s Day delivery? It’s easy – just click here!

You can also check out & order other Big Ben’s BBQ products here!

Want to read a review from the ‘Sauce Authority’ on Big Ben’s BBQ Sauce? They gave it high marks!


* A portion of the proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh!

“We’re excited. This Sunday we’re going to have the Second Annual Ben Roethlisberger Foundation Fundraiser. It’s up at Jergels, and a bunch of teammates are coming and coaches, and we’re raising money for The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation which benefits Make-A-Wish, which to me speaks for itself. It’s so awesome to grant wishes to kids who may not have many wishes left. That to me is an awesome thing.

“And another part of it is we buy K9 dogs for police departments and fire departments all over the country. They’re K9 dogs, bomb sniffing dogs, drug dogs – and to me where it really comes into effect when after this Boston Marathon bombing, we’ve given some grants to the Boston police department when we play the Patriots – they’ve used some of the grants and some of the money to help with the aftermath of that event. To see it in action is a really neat thing.” — Ben on his fundraising event this weekend.

Ben was a guest on the Vinnie & Cook Show this afternoon, and among the other topics he discussed: the off-season workouts, more comfort with the offensive schemes, being part of the “08’ers” club – a small but elite group, an update on Heath Miller and his upcoming children’s football camp!

Some highlights:

On what they’ve done so far to make it “our offense” this season –

“I think last year it was new for all of us, so it was Todd’s offense that he brought to us. This year, I would say it’s more ‘our’ offense. We’ve added things, we’ve deleted things, we’ve all kind of put in our input, players and coaches. Todd’s open to change, and the things we need to improve on to be the best we can be, I feel we’ve done a good job of improving on.”


On embracing more of a leadership role in the Steelers’ locker room –

There’s not a lot of us old guys left anymore, so to me, I’m enjoying the opportunity to be a different kind of leader than I’ve been the last couple of years.

I pulled aside a couple of young guys today, said a few things to them, and I really felt like it resonated with them. To see these guys look at you […]

Ben spoke briefly to the media after Tuesday’s OTA session, and of course the first thing on the minds of everyone who gathered around him…


How do you think the Penguins-Bruins series is going to go?

I don’t want to start talking trash, but we’re waiting. [Laughs]. I’m excited. They look good. Obviously, they’re playing a good team and playing with a little destiny, too, with everything that’s happened. I’m just excited for everything to get going.


RB Jonathan Dwyer told us that you have more ownership of the offense this year. Do you agree with that?

It’s just another year of knowing what’s going on. So, I guess, yes.


You talked last week about having more input. Can you tell us anymore about that?

Nope. [Smiles].


What do you like about the offense this year?

We’re growing, we’re learning and we’re communicating. This year, more of us know what’s going on so we can coach each other up and instead of having questions and going to coaches to get answers, we now can say we need to do this or need to do that. To me that is the biggest difference and improvement I see.


With WR Mike Wallace gone and TE Heath Miller coming off surgery, what do you like so far?

Just having guys out here and getting the work in. Like I said, it’s time to knock rust off. We’re not out here trying to get ready for a game tomorrow. We’re just out here learning and getting better.


You can watch video from his interview here.

….from Benjamin, Jr., who is spending the holiday weekend chillin’ at the beach with mom & dad!




“Just wanted to say hello and Happy Memorial Weekend to everyone out there! Also want to say thanks to all the troops, past and present, that have served to protect our country and our freedom so I can sit on the beach with my shades and my bottle. Thanks everyone! Have a great, safe weekend!” — JR






You can see all my photos here!

….will be held this Sunday, June 2nd, at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille in Warrendale, PA.


The event includes a strolling dinner, and live music from The American Flyers show band. Also, both a silent and live auction will be held, with proceeds benefiting The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, which supplies police and fire agencies throughout the country with K-9’s and rescue dogs, and The Make-A-Wish Foundation!

Last year, teammates Brett Keisel, Heath Miller, James Harrison, and Charlie Batch were there to show their support, as was ESPN’s Merril Hoge.

You can too, but tickets are selling fast!





















Ben and WDVE‘s Randy Baumann pose with special guest, Officer James Kuzak at Ben’s first Fundraiser last summer.

On April 4th 2011, Patrolman Jim Kuzak and fellow officers of the Clairton Police Department answered a home invasion call in the City of Clairton. Upon arrival, Officer Kuzak was shot five times and critically wounded by two suspects as they fled the scene.

Sustaining gunshot wounds to the chest, arm and side which severely injured his lung and spine, Officer Kuzak continues to recover from his injuries.


You can read more about Officer Kuzak’s road to recovery here.

You can see more photos from last year’s event here.

And to join Ben at this year’s event, you can purchase tickets here.



The event is also about the children….

“I love the kids. I don’t think that is a secret. For them to have a wish to hang out with me and to be able to grant that is awesome.” — Ben, on the Make-A-Wish program.

Steelers.com‘s Teresa Varley was also in attendance at Ben’s first Foundation fundraiser:

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger loves the joy he can bring to a child who he meets through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a child who is battling through tough circumstances but can leave that all behind when they meet their favorite football player.

Now Roethlisberger is finding a new way to help those kids, by not just giving of his time to grant wishes, but also providing financial assistance to help make the wishes possible.

Roethlisberger hosted his first annual Ben Roethlisberger Foundation fundraiser on Sunday night at Jergel’s Rhythm Grill, with proceeds benefiting Make-A-Wish and K-9 […]