So my mommy made me wear this hat, and I’m just not sure if I like it or not!



What do you think? Can you all help me out and let me know if I look cute or not? — Thanks, JR


You can see all my photos here (Naturally, I’ve pretty much taken over the Roethlisberger Family album!).



Update on Jr.’s fashion dilemma:

Steeler Nation has spoken (especially the fashion-conscious ladies) and it’s unanimous! Over 5,000 likes and responses via email, the site’s Facebook page, and Twitter account and ALL say that mommy wins and the hat stays!

From Jeff Weitzman, retired K9 officer with U.S. Customs, on his appreciation of The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation:


Ben, I wanted to write to express my gratitude for all you do.

So many times we as a society forget our athletic superstars are first and foremost people. People with a heart that care about others in ways that are not often completely understood. This wonderful canine program isn’t just about the care and safety of dogs. It is about the care and safety of the general public as a whole.

Having been a Canine Officer and Canine Supervisor I was always amazed at the abilities our canine partners showed time and time again. These amazing animals not only detect narcotics, but can detect explosives, human beings, currency, weapons and countless other items. They are also some of the most loyal companions any person could ever ask for. By the time I had retired from The United States Government, my narcotics detector dog (photo above) had been inducted into the Guinness Book of Worlds Records two times for her detection work. She was inducted again this year. The lives this little dog saved by finding narcotic load after narcotic load can’t be fully understood, until one thinks of the death and destruction these drugs would have and could have brought to the streets of our country.

The love and caring you and your organization not only shows to these animals, but to these outstanding law enforcement organizations, is more than mere words can express. So many law enforcement departments across our country have had to face severe budget cuts. To think that someone like you thinks about more than just yourself brings my heart so much joy that it makes the disabling injuries I suffered on the job a little easier to live with and provides much needed assistance to agencies that are economically disadvantaged. I wish I could come up with new positive descriptive adjectives to express how wonderful I think this organization is but I hope the words I’ve used can express my feelings.

Thank you for all you do! – Jeff Weitzman, United States Customs Service K-9 Officer, retired.


Thank you Mr. Weitzman!


The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation is currently accepting grants for the 2013 NFL season! You can get information on how […]

During Ben’s family vacation to VA Beach this month, he found time to play his second favorite sport – golf, at the beautiful Hells Point course.


Also playing on the course that day were two of Steeler Nation’s finest:


“My friend and I had the pleasure of meeting Ben at one of Virginia Beach’s golf courses, Hells Point. The pace of play was a little slow due to a small tournament that was ahead of both of our groups and we crossed paths around the fifth hole. What can I say, It was a huge pleasure meeting with him. My friend Jimmy Banicar and I approached him casually and said we were both big fans and we just wanted to meet him. Ben was not only inviting, but he seemed very appreciative of our approach.

“After a few pictures and a few moments of conversation, I informed him of a few cool places to check out around town including my restaurant Calypso Bar and Grill. As expected he responded with, “Yeah sure. We will try and stop by!”. Never did I expect he would take my recommendation and actually fit Calypso into his busy schedule – but he did! The staff and guests all agreed they had the best time being around such a down-to-earth person. Meeting Ben was a great pleasure, not only from being a Steelers fan, but also for the class act that he is! Thank you Ben!” — Bryan Connolly, Calypso Bar & Grill, VA Beach



Bryan’s friend, Jimmy, now has #7’s autograph on his Steelers golf bag:


“I was playing golf with my friend Bryan at Hells Point Golf course in Va Beach. We ran into Ben on the course. He could not have been any more friendly! We talked briefly about how I had grown up in Pittsburgh, and how I am the Biggest Steeler Fan ever. Ben is my favorite Steeler of all time. It was so cool of him to stop, talk and take a pic and then to have him sign my Steeler golf bag. What a great day! Thank you Ben!!” — Your #1 fan, Jimmy Banicar


You can see more photos here!


*Thank you Bryan and Jimmy!

…at the home of country music icons Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood on Saturday evening for a special Teammates for Kids event!



We are at an Appreciation Party for ‘Teammates for Kids’ with Garth Brooks and my wife is on Cloud 9! Thank you Garth and Trisha for your amazing love and friendship! — Ben


You can see more photos here.

You can also see photos of Ben with fans Suni Keating and Brittny Dorsett here.



Teammates for Kids focuses on helping children in the areas of health, education, and inner-city outreach. From funding Child Life Zones for pediatric hospital patients, to raising money for youth sports leagues, to paying for complicated facial and dental surgeries. They accomplish these goals by partnering with professional athletes, corporations, celebrities, and individuals from the private sector.


You can learn more here.

While enjoying some vacation time in VA Beach this week, Ben, with his wife Ashley and their friends, stopped by Flip Flops Restaurant one evening for a little dinner…and a little informal Meet & Greet with both employees and diners!

He also gave the thumbs-up to one of the restaurant’s most famous dishes:


According to Mandy Banks, who served Ben and his party, he heartily approved of their BBQ Fish Tacos that were featured on the popular Food Network show, Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives.



Mandy said she didn’t even realize it was Ben that she was waiting on until she was telling him and his party about the specials on the menu:


“He was awesome to serve, and he, his wife, and their friends were so down-to-earth and such wonderful people. He was very cool and understanding because Flip Flops gets super busy, especially in the summer time and we were really busy that night. I actually met him a few years ago in the Bahamas when I was there working during Michael Jordan’s celebrity golf tournament. He was just as down to earth and personable then too!” — Mandy Banks



Ben then stopped on his way out to pose with Flip Flops owner Kris Thurbon and his children, Max and Aubrey:


“Ben was a super nice guy & Kris was thrilled to have him stop by for dinner. He appreciated Ben taking time out to take photos with everyone. It was a great night for us!” — Camy Thurbon



Big Ben was also a big hit at Buffalo Wild Wings while at the beach:


“Ben was a class act. I asked him for a picture and he did not hesitate at all! He got right up and took a picture with me and my buddy, Doug Tojeiro. Ben was not looking for any attention or anything – he was just like a regular person in Buffalo Wild Wings. I also wished him the best of luck this upcoming season. Stand up guy, he was a down to earth person. Mad respect to him and I hope he has a good […]

…rocked the house on Sunday, June 2nd at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille!

The fundraising event was a tremendous success thanks to the local community – 268 people came out to enjoy the “strolling dinner”, music performed by The American Flyers Show Band, and to participate in both the Live and Silent Auctions!

“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

The event raised close to $50,000 which will benefit both of Ben’s Foundation causes: the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia as well as K-9 Police and Fire Units across the country.


The party host on stage with his Master of Ceremonies, DVE‘s own Randy Baumann got the crowd bidding like crazy for many of the amazing Live Auction items, including a trip to Costa Rica, a golf getaway to Georgia, and the opportunity to see an L.A. Red Carpet Premiere!



And the amazing items didn’t stop with the Live Auction!


These are just a few of the autographed items that were up for bid on Jergels’ dance floor during the Silent Auction – a plethora of Pittsburgh Sports memorabilia! Needless to say, they all found new homes by the end of the evening!


You can see more photos, INCLUDING Ben’s turn at the drums with the band, here (pages 1 through 3)!


THANK YOU to all our sponsors for the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation Fundraiser: Legacy Lanes; Chrislynn Energy; Broadway Collision; and Jergel’s Rhythm Grille.