Big Ben – a member in good standing of D.A.D.D.
From Nick Kratsas, KDKA Morning News today:
What scares Ben Roethlisberger more than a 300 pound lineman?
How about a dirty diaper.
KDKA-AM’s Larry and John caught up with Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at training camp, and he talked about being a father.
“It’s truly amazing how fast they grow up and how much they change every single day, especially here at camp where I’ve seen him twice in a matter of ten days,” says Roethlisberger.
“It’s just crazy how after practice the other day he was at the end of the field and he gets a big smile on his face when he sees me. It just warms your heart, everyone that’s a father out there knows that there is a special love for, not just your child, but for a son.”
And what about those diapers?
“I’ve changed my share of diapers and have had my fair share of messes on me so I have no problem with that,” says Roethlisberger.
For Roethlisberger, camp is a chance to get in season shape and assess the talent he has at his disposal.
“It’s nice to come out here and get some pads on, see some hits, and see what the young guys can take.” says Roethlisberger. “I’m seeing these young guys do some really neat things.”
You can listen to Ben’s full interview here.
You can see a collection of Ben’s family photos in his album here.
*What’s D.A.D.D.? Dads Against Dirty Diapers!
A true hero and inspiration at Steelers Training Camp this weekend
So honored and blessed to have my good friend Noah at training camp these last couple days! It was great to spend some time and talk and share stories with Noah. He spoke to the team tonight and it was awesome – everyone really enjoyed it. We are so blessed to play a game that we love and we owe all the troops all over the world a huge thank you for all your service. — Ben
It was an honor to meet you @Noah_Galloway amazing story true testimony of strength faith and dedication very inspirational. #Blessed
What an inspiration @Noah_Galloway is! Thank you for sharing your story with our team.
Was pleasure of listening to @Noah_Galloway #SteelerNation show some love. True #inspiration
Awesome hearing @Noah_Galloway tell his story tonight. What an amazing guy with an extraordinary demeanor. Inspiring!!
One of the greatest stories I’ve ever heard was this mans life @Noah_Galloway and that’s the true definition of #ProgressIsNecessary
Honored to have Noah Galloway an American hero spend the weekend with us. Thank you all members of our Armed Forces.
Tune in on Friday
…to the WDVE Morning Show and catch Ben’s interview!
Ben on the set today with the DVE Morning Crew for an interview that will air on Friday morning!
The hosts of the popular radio show have been at Steelers training camp this week, interviewing Big Ben, Brett Keisel, Ike Taylor, Emmanuel Sanders, and Jarvis Jones about the upcoming season…along with the craziness that is the DVE Morning Show – including Ben interviewing Randy Baumann in the role of “Ben” and as himself.
Friday Update: If you were unable to tune in, you can check out the podcast of Ben’s crazy-funny interview here!
*Thank you to Mr. Lauten, Steelers, for the photo!
“Steelers to move Latrobe’s ‘Friday Night Lights’ practice to Saint Vincent College”
From Steelers.com this evening:
The Steelers annual Friday Night Lights practice scheduled for Friday, August 2, at Latrobe Memorial Stadium will be moved to Saint Vincent College, the team announced today. The event will be FREE to the public.
“Unfortunately, the grass surface at Latrobe Memorial Stadium suffered an unexpected disease and we do not want to jeopardize the surface for the 2013 Latrobe High School games,” Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert said. “We still want to provide the great Steelers fans of Westmoreland County the opportunity to still enjoy our team practice as well as enjoy the many fan-friendly activities that go along with our annual night practice, but we felt it was better to move the event to campus for this year. We look forward to returning to Latrobe Memorial Stadium next year.”
You can read a list of the activities for the “Friday Night Lights” practice here.
A happy little camper
Bianca Wellen, just 5-years old, waited patiently yesterday for training camp to finish for the day…then waited even more patiently for her favorite player, Big Ben, to make his way to where she was standing at the fence line in hopes of getting her #7 jersey signed….
Her patience paid off! Check out that smile!
“A huge ‘Thank You’ to Ben. After practice today and having his knee wrapped, Ben spent nearly 30-minutes signing autographs for fans. Bianca has waited 5 years for this moment (her whole life). It finally occurred, and she was ecstatic. Here is a picture of her with her signed jersey. Ben was courteous and was talking with fans, and having a good time regardless of how his knee felt. Thanks again Ben.” — The Wellen Family
Bianca’s big sister Madisyne had fun at camp yesterday too. She wanted her photo taken while wearing Ben’s shoulder pads and jersey at the Steelers Experience display.
And speaking of Lil’ Fans…
A BIG Steeler Nation welcome to the newest Steeler fan, Lance Jacob Bruban, Jr.! Baby Lance was born today at 4:53PM! We received his photo at 7:29PM!
Also, thank you to Chad Pointer, Billie Jo Yakubik and Nicole Viglianco for sending in their photos from training camp! You can view the latest here.
There’s still time!
The seventh grant cycle for the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation is here, and grant requests are still being accepted through August 15, 2013.
“I think I speak for all K-9 handlers when I say thank you for your support for Police K-9’s.” — Officer Chris Angus, Nebraska City Police Department, photographed with his partner, Jordy.
The majority of the grants distributed will help K-9 units to purchase dogs and dog safety vests, but other types of needs are also considered.
The Foundation will be distributing grants in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away game for the Steelers during the 2013-14 season.
The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation invites police and fire departments in these eight cities to submit proposals detailing their needs. Also, for each Steelers’ playoff game, a grant will be awarded to a city anywhere in the United States that would not otherwise be eligible to apply. In addition, the Foundation will continue to make grants to several police and fire department K-9 units in the Pittsburgh area following Super Bowl XLVIII.
As part of the NFL International Series, the Pittsburgh Steelers are set to meet the Minnesota Vikings on the turf of Wembley Stadium in London on September 29, 2013. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation will mark the inaugural occasion of the Steelers playing a regular-season game overseas with its first international grant to support law enforcement in the London area.
The Foundation distributed more than $135,000 in grants to K-9 units around the country during the 2012 NFL season and has distributed in excess of $950,000 since 2007.
Again, eligible departments must apply to The Giving Back Fund by August 15, 2013.
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
You can view the full grant requirements, eligibility and evaluation process, please visit http://www.givingback.org/documents/RFP_2013_BRF_app.pdf.
You can also see the guidelines on Ben’s Foundation page here.
More from Officer Angus and Jordy:
“Whether we’re working during the week, or watching the Steelers on the weekend, we always bleed black and yellow!” — Chris Angus
Jordy was purchased in Sharpsville, PA from Shallow Creek Kennels. He started with the Nebraska City Department in 2010 and been a very important tool for us. Besides his normal patrol duties, he is also a “star” in the classroom. They […]