“I can move [the arm] around, that’s not the issue. Sometimes when I do move it the rib will kind of pop out of place again, which is pretty painful. I just try to keep it as still as I can for the most part.” — Ben, on both the injury to his shoulder and his rib.

Ben spoke to the media today after practice and gave an update on the injuries he sustained during the Monday night game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Wearing a sling to support his right shoulder, Ben told reporters gathered in the locker room that he not only suffered a sprained right shoulder, but also dislocated a rib as a result of that third quarter sack by Kansas City linebackers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali.

The rib injury is more of a concern to him than the shoulder.

“From what I understand, it’s the SC joint and a dislocation of the first rib,” said Ben. “That’s the scary part because I guess if it goes in the wrong direction it could puncture the aorta. So that’s more of the issue I think, that’s probably the more painful part.”

Ben has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens and said he cannot play until the rib heals. He doesn’t know how long that will be, but doesn’t think it will mean the end of his season.

“I don’t think so, I don’t know though, I’m not a medical expert. I’m just going to do what I can to get back as fast as I can.”

Asked if he was going to be able to hold his newborn son soon, Ben said, “I better. I’ve got one good arm.”

And while he is disappointed about missing Sunday’s game, he has full confidence in both Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch.

“I have no fear because of the backups that we have,” he said. “Both guys are extremely capable. Byron’s a great player. He’s been doing this for a long time. I know he’s going to go out there and give it his all. I’m going to do exactly what he does for me and what Charlie does for me, whatever they need. If he doesn’t need anything, I’m not going to give him […]

…have been pouring in for Ben via email, the website’s Facebook page and the Twitter page.

Here is just a small sample of the many received:


From around the globe –

“Much love, support & prayers to you Ben. We know you will overcome this like you have so many times before and we will always stand beside you.

Thank you for all you do for our STEELERS. I’m an Army wife living in Germany & watching you and our guys helps me feel closer to home.” — Sarah Mashino, Germany (photo at left)


“All #Mexican Steelers family praying for a speed recovery!!! ” — Alan ‏@alansteel


“Prays from Brazil! You are my favorite player, guy. Hope you are ok and get back fast to the game!” — Ricardo Resende ‏@rickresende


“Prayers from Ireland (we have direct line to God!) for Ben & the family to get well soon! Come back stronger! ” –Anthony Kieran ‏@anthonykieran


“Mexican fans sorry your absent in the next games, but we know your health is the most important thing. Our best wishes for you Ben!” — Horacio Manchinelly ‏@Horac70


“Get better, big guy. Sending you love all the way from Scotland!” — Sammie Jay Craig ‏@MrsSJCraigx


“Get well soon and our prayers for your recovery!” — Antonio Brown México ‏@ 84BrownMexico, Cuenta Oficial de Fans de Antonio Brown #84 en México


“No games until it’s healed! No win is worth a life-threatening injury. Get well soon!” — Nils Schilling, Hamburg, Germany


“I was watching the game (suffering would probably be a better verb) and I remain quite concerned about Ben’s sprain. Please let him know I wish him a speedy recovery so he can get back and take the Steelers to the Super Bowl in what has been probably his best season , one in which I think he should be an MVP candidate!” — Martha B. Martinez, Mexico



Closer to home –


“I’m sure the players will be focused on winning for Ben!! He is a fighter!! GO STEELERS!!” — Candice Jackson @CandySteelerina (photo at left)


“Thoughts and prayers to the Big Guy for his rocket right arm.” — Rianna Bryceland, New Jersey


“BIG BEN, my son cried when you were hurt and I explained that […]

Coach Tomlin from his afternoon press conference today at noon:

“I’ll start with Ben. He has a shoulder sprain. It can be classified as an ‘SC’ sprain. That’s all the information that I have at this time. He’s being evaluated.

“Obviously, his injury puts his participation in the questionable category for this week. I’ll give you guys more information as I get it, as the week unfolds.”


You can watch Coach Tomlin’s full press conference here.

From Coach Tomlin, post-game:

“On the injury front, Ryan Clark is being evaluated for a concussion. We don’t have definitive information on that at this time. It happened too late in the game. Ben has a right shoulder that’s being evaluated.

“We don’t know the status of that as we sit here right now. Obviously, those two men are critical to our efforts here moving ahead.”


When an official injury update is available, it will be posted!

…on this Veterans Day Weekend!

I just want to say thank you to all the veterans and current service people both here in the USA and around the world. Thank you for all your service to this great country and for providing us with the freedoms we take for granted everyday. All of you men and women that serve, and have served, we thank you and love you and honor you! God bless you all. – Ben

They protect us from the skies…




















“I fly the AH-64D Longbow Apache Attack helicopter. The Terrible Towel went with me on every mission I flew during my 12-month tour. This was taken in Afghanistan in July 2011. I still take the Towel with me on every flight, even here in the States. It has accumulated over 450 combat flight hours and about 700 total flight hours.” — CW2 Jeffrey Jones

And on land…




















“Supporting the Steelers all the way across the globe at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. I am currently a Major serving with Marine Corps Logistics Command (Forward) and have been in the country since June and will return in January, 2013. I have been able to watch the Steelers play on AFN and a dedicated Steelers fan I am, waking up at zero dark thirty is well worth it!!

“The United States Marine Corps will be celebrating another birthday on 10 November…Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps and Happy Veteran’s Day to all who have served before me and continue to serve.

“God Bless the Steelers, United States Marine Corps and our beloved Country!! Thank you Ben!” — Semper Fidelis, Sarah Lukes, Major, United States Marine Corps MCLC (FWD)



You can see more of our military Steelers fans – serving in Asia, Iraq, Afghanistan, South Korea, and closer to home from Quantico Marine Base in Virginia to Fort Benning, Georgia – all right here (pages 1 & 2).


Thank you to every one of you that submitted photos to us this week so that we could honor you, our true heroes!




Judging from the photos sent this week…

Steeler Nation is everywhere!

Now you can send our active military and wounded veterans a plethora of Terrible Towels to wave on game days and […]

If so, vote for Ben and his teammates to play in the 2013 NFL Pro Bowl!!

“I want to take a second to say thank you to all the fans who voted for me and helped me get back to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl. It is an awesome honor to be voted by my peers and coaches, but even more by the fans and that’s all of you! I wouldn’t have been able to go if it weren’t for all of your votes (no matter how many times you voted, haha). I also want to say thank you for all of you who voted for my teammates, it will be awesome to throw to 2 of my receivers!” — Ben, in his thank you to the fans last year for his selection to the 2012 Pro Bowl.

The NFL is back in Hawaii for the 2013 Pro Bowl.

The annual contest of the AFC and NFC’s best will take place Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013 at Aloha Stadium. You can watch it on NBC at 7:00 PM.

Balloting ends Dec. 17 after the Jets play Tennessee on Monday night.

The teams will be announced at 7 p.m. on December 26th on NFL Network’s “Total Access”.

The teams come from consensus votes of fans, players and coaches. Each group’s vote counts one-third toward determining the 43-man rosters. Players and coaches will cast their votes between December 20th and 21st.

Offensive players on the ballot: Heath Miller, Antonio Brown (punt returner ballot as well), Emmanuel Sanders, Mike Wallace, Will Johnson, Marcus Gilbert, Max Starks, Willie Colon, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey and Rashard Mendenhall.

Defensive players on the ballot: Ryan Clark, Ziggy Hood, Brett Keisel, Casey Hampton, Larry Foote, Lawrence Timmons, LaMarr Woodley, James Harrison, Keenan Lewis, Ike Taylor, Troy Polamalu.

Special Teams players on the ballot: Shaun Suisham, Drew Butler and Curtis Brown.

“We’re trying to get him to the Pro Bowl. He’s deserved it for a long time. Heath is a weapon and we have to continue to use him out in the field and in the red zone. Like I’ve always said, he blocks like a lineman and catches like a receiver. If we keep utilizing him it will be […]