…from Steeler Nation (and both a Ravens fan and a 49ers fan!)


Messages have been coming in all weekend for Ben on his induction into Miami University’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Below are just a few of the many “congrats” received via email, the website’s Facebook page, and Twitter account:

“Congratulations to my big brother on being inducted into the Miami Hall of Fame! So proud of you!!” — Carlee Roethlisberger

“I just wanted to say congrats to Ben for being inducted into the Miami Hall of Fame. What an honor, and well deserved! I’m sure Coach Hep would feel just as honored to go in with you as you do with him! Much love and God Bless!” — Maddie Mulinaro, Indianapolis, IN


“It has been an amazing journey seeing him grow for a confident young man to an impressive role model and Super Bowl Champ. We love you Ben.” — Laurene Harrison


“Congratulations Ben on making the Redhawks HOF on behalf of Steelers Xtreme.” — Nathan Bays


“Awesome job! Congrats on a much deserved honor, One day it will be the NFL Hall of Fame.”— Brandi Herres


Congratulations to @_BigBen7 for his induction into the MiamiOH HOF. — Brett Keisel ‏@bkeisel99


“Congratulations, Ben. So proud of you!” — Donna Jones

“Ben, I want to add my congratulations on your induction to the MOH Hall Of Fame. Your many accomplishments should be a great source of pride to you and your family. And, as an avid fan since the day you became a Steeler, I am so pleased that you are receiving these honors. You continue to make me proud — of your generosity in the community, your dedication to your family and your talent, hard work and accomplishments as our quarterback!” — Jan Banko, PA

“2nd Favorite Steeler QB of all time and may pass the Blond Bomber, when all said and done.” — Dave Hopkins, Dillsburg, PA


“Congratulations. You deserve it. There is payback in all the good you do.” — Barb Painter


“Awesome job Ben, you deserve it and much, much more!” — Cheryl Halstead


“Congrats to Ben! Such and honor…such a blessing! Your talent and skills are so worthy of this and more. Enjoy your day and keep it close to your heart!! So happy you will be connected to […]

“I’m honored to be a graduate, to have my number retired, to be in the Hall of Fame now and to say that I went to Miami. People all the time ask, why Miami? And I say obviously the academics and a chance to play early and Coach Hoeppner.” — Ben

From Rick Cassano, who covered the event for Miami University sports:

Ben Roethlisberger came home Saturday and brought Terry Hoeppner with him.

“I know he is here in spirit with us,” Roethlisberger said. “Going in with Coach Hep, it couldn’t get any better.”

Miami University introduced its 2013 Hall of Fame class during the men’s basketball game against Akron at Millett Hall, and Roethlisberger — a two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers — said he was thrilled to enter the Hall with the late Hoeppner, who recruited and coached him at MU.

“This was one of the first schools, if not the first, to offer me a scholarship. Coach Hep took a chance on me, a kid that never played quarterback until his senior year of high school. That’s why I love this school and Coach Hep so much. They gave me a chance to prove what I was capable of doing.”

Of the bachelor’s degree in education that he picked up last May, the 30-year-old Findlay High School graduate said it was something he always hoped to obtain.

“It was a bigger goal early on, and then as you start getting sidetracked, off-seasons get shorter and things are going on,” Roethlisberger said. “Having a son on the way — and now he’s here — it just kind of motivated me further to get it done and just to tell my son and hopefully more kids that I got my degree and how important education is.”


You can read more from Mr. Cassano column here.

You can see photos from the weekend’s events here.


*Thank you to Miami University!

The six newest members of the Hall of Fame Class of 2012-13 were honored this afternoon during the mens basketball game versus Akron. Among the six was our own Big Ben.

Ben was an ESPNU on-air guest during the game just before the halftime ceremony took place. A few of the highlights from his interview:

First things first, is he getting any sleep with a new baby in the house?

It hasn’t been too bad…sleepless nights for her, for sure. I help out as much as I can, but it’s really a neat thing to be a father. It’s awesome!!


On what it means to come back to MU and be inducted with Coach Hoeppner –

It’s an awesome honor to be able to come back. I’ve been blessed to have my number retired, I graduated this last summer, and now to go into the Hall of Fame, it’s really a neat thing to do, and it’s even better to go in with Coach Hep! I know he’s not here physically, but he’s here in spirit and it doesn’t get any better than to go in with a guy who was a mentor to me and one of the main reasons I came to this school.


On MU quarterback, Zac Dysert –

I’ve actually been able to develop a good relationship with him – talking to him quite a bit, just encouraging him. I know what he’s going through, I know how hard it is, how hectic it is. I’m just being supportive and telling him, ‘it will get easier, I promise’ (smiles). This is a tough time right now getting ready for the Draft and the things that he’s got to go through. Great player. I was really excited for him to break my records, and it’s just neat to see someone like that – a good guy do it.


On whether he watched the NFL playoffs –

You don’t watch much of the playoffs if you’re not in it! Not making the playoffs is tough, but it gives us something to build on, and adds a little fuel to the fire for next year, and it kind of motivates you.


Who would you like to see coming back next season for the Steelers?

Everybody. I mean you never want to lose anybody, and […]

Today, Ben announced the final grants of the 2012-13 season from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund.

The Foundation will be distributing eight grants totaling $66,382.17 to police departments in the Pittsburgh area.

The K-9 Departments receiving funding from Ben’s Foundation this year are the Borough of Kittanning, Center Township, City of Aliquippa, City of Clairton, Latrobe, Mt. Pleasant Borough, New Castle, and Robinson Township Police Departments. Funds will be used to start new K-9 units as well as maintain existing ones who will purchase additional K-9s, K-9 safety vests, training equipment, food and other necessary expenses of the K-9 units.

The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation is grateful for its generous supporters who have enabled it to expand its K-9 grant program, including Pro Camps and Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office as well as caring individual donors from around the country.

The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office has generously offered to match half of the grants awarded to departments in their county. This includes Robinson Township and City of Clairton Police Departments.

Allegheny County District Attorney, Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said, “I appreciate the work of Ben Roethlisberger and his foundation in helping to ensure that law enforcement in Allegheny County have the best tools, equipment and training available. I am proud of our continuing partnership with The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund.”

Robinson Township Police Chief Dale Vietmeier added, “I would like to thank the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation for the support in helping us establish our K-9 unit. The donation from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation has allowed us to purchase our first ever K-9 that will not only benefit the Robinson Township Police Department, but the entire community that we serve.”

City of Aliquippa Chief of Police Andre Davis offered, “We are especially proud and appreciative to Ben Roethlisberger for all the work and support that he provides through his foundation to not only the City of Aliquippa but Western Pennsylvania in general. His giving heart and spirit are a true testament to his character and love for the area that he works and lives in. He truly knows the meaning of giving back.”

New Castle City Police Department Chief Robert Salem shared, “From apprehending suspects, to locating dangerous drugs, the K-9 unit plays an integral […]

“When they called and told me, it was an awesome honor. I am really proud to have graduated. People were laughing because my jersey was already retired. But to be in the Hall of Fame with the people there, it’s a super year. I think it speaks highly of Miami as a university to honor me at the same time of graduation. I think that speaks on how important they think of academics.” — Ben, during his graduation week from MU (photo below).

On Saturday, February 9th, Miami will honor six outstanding individuals with their induction into the Miami University Athletics Hall of Fame.

One of those being inducted is Big Ben.

Ben holds every major passing record in Miami history. Passing for more than 200 yards in all 14 games during the 2003 season, he also owns NCAA records for most games in a season gaining 200 or more passing yards and consecutive games with at least 200 passing yards. A Third-Team Associated Press All-American in 2003 and Freshman All-American in 2001, he was twice named Miami’s Male Co-Athlete of the Year (2000-01 and 2003-04) while being named MAC Freshman of the Year (2001), and MAC Offensive Player of the Year (2003).

Ben was also a three-time All-MAC selection, earning first-team honors in 2003 and second-team recognition in 2001 and 2002. A three-year letter winner, he forewent his final season of eligibility to enter the 2004 NFL Draft. Miami retired his jersey No. 7 in 2007.

But what makes the induction really special for Ben – he will be inducted in the same class as his college coach, the late Terry Hoeppner, who passed away in June, 2007 of brain cancer. Miami had a winning season in each of Hoeppner’s six years as the school’s head coach (1999-2004).

“Going in with him, it doesn’t get any better than that. It’s an honor to get in. But I owe so much to him, for my career, my life, and who I am as a person. A lot of it is because of him. I have always said he was like a father to me. He would be one of my best friends today. I still think about him a lot. To go in with him, […]

Both of our fan stories this week come all the way from the Emerald Isle, where Ben and his friends enjoyed a golf vacation in June of 2012. And both gentlemen said they felt very lucky to have met Pittsburgh’s Big Ben during his trip to their beautiful country.


James Hurley, a big NFL fan, just recently found the website’s Twitter page, and shared this photo to thank Ben for stopping by the pub where he works:



June, 2012: Ben poses with James Hurley (left) and Jeremiah Buckley at Charlie Foley’s Pub in Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland.

“I was quite shocked when he came in as I have one of his jerseys at home, but I couldn’t go home to get it signed because I was working. Thank you so much! We have the picture framed in the bar and it is a real hit with all the Americans who visit us. Just a pity we couldn’t get it signed, that would have been magical!” — James Hurley


And from the management at Charlie Foley’s Pub via Twitter to Ben’s website about his visit:

“What a gentle giant! [Came in] to the pub and couldn’t be nicer. We have his picture on our wall, he is our adopted hero! We wish him the luck of the Irish!”



Ben also found a fan on one of Ireland’s most beautiful golf courses!

Old Head Golf Links is located in County Cork on the Southwest Coast of Ireland:




June, 2012: Ben poses with James Cullinane on a chilly day on the course.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ben last summer in Ireland at the Old Head Golf Links. As a huge supporter of the NFL I was awestruck when I saw him and it made my summer! — James Cullinane



Thank you to James Hurley and James Cullinane for sharing their photos and stories!

You can check out more fan stories and photos, including a few from Ben’s trip to Ireland and Scotland here (the photos and stories from his trip begin on page 6, bottom row).