The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at work
“I wanted a dog that met the standard of the one that I had before. This dog surpassed those expectations, I think this dog is going to keep getting better.” — Officer Scalzo
From an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review this week:
Jeannette police officer Justin Scalzo & Falco. Photo: Guy Wathen
Two German shepherds bound to the door when Patrolman Justin Scalzo puts on his police uniform.
But only one can join him for work in Jeannette.
“It‘s a hard transition for him right now,” Scalzo said of retiring K-9 officer Wando, a 9-year-old dog who worked the city streets for seven years.
Wando will officially retire at Wednesday‘s Jeannette council meeting. Two-year-old Falco will be sworn in as Wando‘s replacement. Both dogs live with Scalzo and his family.
With a grant from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund, Falco was purchased for $6,500 in May 2012. On Nov. 21, Falco graduated from training and has been on the force since.
Wando and Falco work as dual-purpose police dogs, meaning they are certified in narcotics detection and patrolling, which can include obedience, tracking and searches. They can quell an aggressive situation and make a scene safer for their human counterparts…
You can read more about Falco here.
You can learn more about Ben’s foundation here.
Wednesday: Ben’s interview with the media
“This is a big one for us. As we know, and those of you know that have been around here, it’s all about when you get hot, when you start playing good football, and for us the time is now. We need to start playing our best and put together a little run here.” — Ben, on this weekend’s game against Dallas.
More from Ben this afternoon:
Was “readiness to play” or the lack of addressed this week in reference to the San Diego game?
I didn’t see that from the people I was around. I sensed maybe a little bit of trying to get it energized and get it going a little bit.
I think everyone is ready to play. I don’t think it has been addressed really this week.
I think you’ll see from guys who’ve been around here for awhile that it’s that time you’ll start seeing some leaders stepping up on the ways on how to practice. And hopefully young guys will take some cues from that.
Is there a “sense of desperation” now, especially with Cincinnati losing last week as well?
No. Every game for us right now is big. It doesn’t matter if it’s AFC or NFC, Cincinnati, whoever it is…We need to come out and play ball. I don’t want to use the word ‘desperation’ because I don’t feel desperate. I just feel we need to put it together and play the ball the way we know how to play ball.
Did he feel an inability to get into a rhythm on Sunday?
I don’t know if the rhythm, or lack thereof last week had anything to do with injury. I think I did come out a little anxious, a little rusty, but we just couldn’t put it together. From one phase of offense, one position, on any particular play, it wasn’t like we had any two positions doing the right thing. It was one of those funky things, and I think we’ve got it corrected.
Jokingly asked if Tony Romo is “on the list”: one of those quarterbacks he has a personal competition with?
(Laughs) He plays for “America’s Team” right? I think the Steelers are the “World’s Team” (smiles). But no, we just want to go beat them.”
On whether there was any talk of him leaving the game […]
“Iron Man”
Ben is the cover story of this week’s USA Today Sports Weekly (Dec 12th – 18th issue).
Below are a few excerpts from the article, written by Jim Corbett:
Ben Roethlisberger took a rare sabbatical from football December 3rd, accompanying his wife Ashley and 2-week old son, Ben Jr.. to get their first Christmas tree.
“It’s truly magical,” Roethlisberger says of being a father. “The place was 15 minutes from my parents’ home, so it was another chance for them to see their first grandson. He’s awesome.”
If Ben Jr. were old enough to talk, he might use that same word, as his Pittsburgh Steelers teammates do to describe his dad’s pain threshold. The day after the family excursion, Ben Jr.’s dad was back on his team’s South Side practice field continuing another Roethlisberger family tradition. This is the time of year Roethlisberger does what he does best – play through pain in a bid to salvage his team’s season.
“Ben brings a dominance to our team nobody else can,” receiver Mike Wallace says. “We have to win every game from here on out…When Ben’s playing, he gives this team that big old boost, because he’s one of the top five quarterbacks in the game.”
It was fitting that Pittsburgh’s biggest gun’s return coincided with the practice return of Baltimore Ravens leader Ray Lewis from a torn triceps suffered October 14th. Roethlisberger and Lewis had a heart-to-heart talk about both missing the fierce Baltimore-Pittsburgh rivalry for the first time during their careers.
“Ray came up to me before the game, and we had a long conversation on the field,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for that guy. I gave him a hug, and Ray goes, ‘Who would have ever thought that this game neither one of us would play?’ I said, ‘I know. It’s not the same.’ It was acknowledging the admiration we have for each other. It’s great to see him back out there too!”
Despite the ugly San Diego loss, the Steelers hold the sixth and final AFC seed and own the tiebreaker over the 7-6 Cincinnati Bengals, whom they host on December 23rd.
The Steelers have a healthy, motivated Roethlisberger carrying a chip on his Kevlar-padded shoulder….
USA Today Sports Weekly is available wherever newspapers […]
Big Ben’s Ribs
No, not those ribs!!
We’re talking about his falling-off-the-bone baby back pork ribs slathered in Big Ben’s BBQ sauce! We’re talking about his shredded chicken, shredded pork and of course, his Big Ben’s BBQ Sauce!!!
You can now enjoy Big Ben’s baby back pork ribs, shredded chicken and shredded pork at home. Just heat and serve! And it’s perfect for holiday entertaining, not to mention tailgating on game day!
You can order online or in select locations in and around Pittsburgh!
And if you’re looking for gifts for friends or co-workers? Big Ben’s BBQ Sauce comes in Mild, Hot and Honey Mustard flavors. You can also try his Hot Sauce and Spicy Wing Sauce.
Speaking of perfect gifts…
Big Ben’s BBQ Sauce introduces it’s Holiday Special – Big Ben’s BBQ Cooler (photo)!
Inside a special black and gold canvas cooler that holds 12 beverages, you’ll receive:
1 Bottle of Big Ben’s Mild BBQ Sauce
1 Bottle of Big Ben’s Spicy Wing Sauce
1 Bottle of Big Ben’s Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce
1 Bottle of Big Ben’s Habanera Hot Sauce
1 Pittsburgh Steeler’s Candy Bar
As a special promotion, be our 100th emailer and you will receive a complimentary Big Ben’s BBQ Cooler to get your holiday started off right!
Email to bigben7website@gmail.com!
A winner will be announced later this evening!
*A portion of the proceeds are donated to The Ronald McDonald House of Pittsburgh.
For more on Big Ben’s BBQ Sauce, Ribs, Chicken & Pork products, check out his website here.
Fans: You can get website updates on both Facebook and Twitter! Join the conversation!
UPDATE! We have a winner!!! Congratulations to New York City Steelers fan Jonathan Ortiz! He was our 100th emailer!
Thank you to everyone who entered the contest!
Chargers 34, Steelers 24
“I didn’t make plays. I didn’t get it to the receivers or the right guy. I didn’t give them a good ball to run or catch with.” — Ben, on his performance.
More from Ben’s post-game interview:
On what he felt was the reason the offense was unable to score in the first half –
We felt like we left a lot of plays out there. I missed a lot of throws and threw it to them once. We all have to play better.
On whether he felt there was any consolation in the fact that both the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals lost today as well –
Maybe later in the week, but not right now.
On what he believes is the reason for the team’s inconsistency –
I have no clue. If I knew, I don’t think that we would do it anymore. We just have to play better.
On the fans booing Mike Wallace –
No one should ever get booed. We’re out there busting our butts, and no one does anything intentionally to hurt the team. I don’t intentionally throw interceptions, and guys don’t miss blocks and fumble or anything…we don’t intentionally do it. I just told him to I was going to go back to him and to keep his head up. He made plays for us late.
On whether he expected to scramble so much today?
No, but I wasn’t going to hold back if we had to. We knew they were a good defense and get after the pass, the quarterback. I was prepared to do it if we had to and I wasn’t going to have any reservations.
On how he felt physically –
Okay. I just have to make more plays and do more to help this team win.
You can watch video of Ben’s post-game interview here.
And:
From Bob Labriola, Steelers.com/Steelers Digest:
It was the day on which he became the 25th quarterback in NFL history to amass 25,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing in the regular season, but it’s a certainty the distinction means little […]
Make-A-Wish: A magical moment for a young fan
From Teresa Varley at Steelers.com this afternoon:
Five-year old Wesley Smith was shy and slightly overwhelmed as he met some of his favorite Steelers players, but when he saw quarterback Ben Roethlisberger his eyes lit up.
Smith, who has a brain tumor, had the chance to attend Steelers’ practice and meet players through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and will be at Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers at Heinz Field.
“It’s extraordinary,” said his mother Robin Smith, from Coeburn, Virginia. “It’s a dream come true.”
More of the story (and photos) here.