“I would like it for him. That’s how much he means to me and I think everyone on our team would say that. Even if guys said they would never want to play in London, 100 percent of the guys on our team would say they would play in Dublin for Mr Rooney. I’d do it for him.” — Ben

From Brendan O’Brien and his interview with Ben for the Irish Examiner:

The NFL in Dublin: it’s the tease that just won’t end.

For years Dan Rooney, chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers and a former US Ambassador to Ireland, has been talking up the prospect of his beloved football club playing a regular season game in the Irish capital and the project got another airing yesterday when the 81-year old returned to these shores.

Accompanying him for the Fourth of July celebrations at his former residence in the Phoenix Park was Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers’ quarterback and one of the most recognisable faces in gridiron this past decade. Naturally, he too was dragged into the debate.

Rooney’s role in the success of one of the US’s most successful sporting franchises was barely touched on during his official three-year stint on these shores, between 2009 and 2012, but the 6’ 5” superstar spoke volumes for the dynasty first established by his father, Art Rooney Snr.

“People are what makes Pittsburgh special. Why the tradition, why the history, why the most Lombardi’s (trophies)? To me it starts at the top. That’s him, Art his son and his family. When he was in Pittsburgh, we saw him every day. After every game win or lose. For us to see our owner every day, whether out at practice, just working out and them saying ‘hi’ to you, sit down and have lunch with you, to me that speaks volumes.”


You can read the rest here.

You can also listen to the podcast of Ben’s interview with “Game On” reporter Diarmuid Byrne here!

And you can see all the photos from Big Ben’s UK Tour here!


Photo: Ben poses with the U.S. Marine Color Guard at the Irish U.S. Embassy. Photo: Mr. Lauten, Steelers

“I didn’t know what to expect – there’s a lot of football fans over here so we’re excited about that!” – Ben, during his live on-air interview.

“People say that you should never meet your heroes. These people clearly haven’t met Ben Roethlisberger.” — Josh Perry, Steelers UK fan.

Ben was a guest today on Sky Sports studio and told them he is looking forward to reporting back to teammates that there is definitely excitement across the pond for live NFL action:

“It was eye-opening for me to realize that there are so many fans and that the sport is growing over here…it was neat for me to see that and go home and tell my team-mates and other players that this is not going to be a business trip, we can go and enjoy a good football game.”

Ben believes that logistically, especially with family situations, having a team based out of London would be difficult, but a game or two during the regular season is a fun, different idea:

“I think it’s fun, it’s neat for players to travel abroad, to see a different country and see fans from over here.”

What does he expect the energy level of the fans to be at Wembley Stadium in September for the game against the Minnesota Vikings:

“I’ve talked to many players that have come over here in years past to play before and they say how loud it is and I’m looking forward to seeing that as well.”


You can watch the video here.

You can also read an interview with Ben conducted by Joshua Modaberi here.



And speaking of the fans…

UK fan Andy Duncan wanted to give American fans an idea of what transpired at the Meet & Greet between Ben and NFL-UK fans last evening at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London:

Tuesday evening in London, England there was a unique event put on by the NFL to promote the International Series football games that will be played during the regular season at Wembley Stadium.

Twenty six English football fans were invited to attend a meet and greet session with Ben Roethlisberger. The audience wasn’t entirely made up of Steelers fans, but as will happen in September when the Steelers […]

Big Ben….and Big Ben!

“This is a new, unique thing for us.It’s something that is different and fun and guys are really looking forward to the game. We enjoy having the fans there. It’s going to be great. We hope to see a lot of Steelers fans at the game.” — Ben

Big Ben landed in London last night to promote the NFL game this September 29th between the Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings at Wembley Stadium!

Ben will meet with the media this afternoon and then later this evening, he will meet with Steelers UK fans at a special Meet & Greet this evening at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Park Lane at 7:00 p.m.

After a bit of sight-seeing, Ben will head to Ireland to visit with Steelers’ chairman Dan Rooney, the former United States Ambassador to Ireland. Ben will also be on hand for the Annual Fourth of July Flag Football game that Mr. Rooney hosts and will be the official coin tosser for the game!

“I got to go to the Ambassador’s residence last year and see what he does there, but it will be great to go back,” Ben told Teresa Varley at Steelers.com. “Plus we get to see the game he puts on for July 4 and I will make sure I do a good job flipping the coin.”


Mr. James Caroll shares this video of one of Ben’s interviews:





Check back for more on Big Ben’s UK Tour!


*Thank you to NFL-UK for the photo above, and to Mr. Burt Lauten, Steelers and the fans for other photos that you can see here!

It’s been a busy month for Ben and his website! We’re just under the wire, but with one day left in the month of June, we have plenty of photos sent in by you that we want to share!

It looks like the home page has been taken over by our latest Lil’ Fans this month:



“I was born a Steelers fan, just like my Daddy!” — Ashton Francis Cooper, son of Pittsburgh native and golfer Brian Cooper.




“Put me in coach!! I’m ready!!” — Anden Miklinski, who can’t wait to grow into his Steelers helmet and hopefully play at Heinz Field some day.




“This is my ‘pouty’ super model look!” — Cora Grace, who insisted that her Aunt Amy put her in her favorite Steelers outfit in the hopes of attracting the attention of a certain “Roethlisberger Jr.”!



You can see more of our Lil Fans here. We have some Big Fans here, and a couple of furry, four-legged fans here!


You can always email us with your photo submissions for future posts at BigBen7website@gmail.com“>BigBen7website@gmail.com!

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! Are you ready to participate in the one running event that will allow you to experience the best of a city in less than 5K?

Registration is now open for this race on October 12, 2013 at 10:00 am!


People from Pittsburgh and around the country will be able to participate in events that showcase what makes the city great.

Bro Council, recently voted “Best Website” by readers of Pittsburgh Magazine, is excited to bring to life the city’s very first Brocathalon.

With this event, Bro Council will be incorporating challenges that highlight the city’s best food and cherished icons. Plus, former Steelers Jeff Hartings and Justin Hartwig will emcee the event and greet runners at the finish line for a post-race party featuring the best food and fun from the City of Champions.

You know what else? You’re also helping out two great causes as a portion of the proceeds from the Brocathalon will be donated to locally founded charities, including the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation and Urban Impact Foundation.

Ben also has his own coupon code for you to use for a discount. If you register with the code “bigben7” you’ll receive $3 off your registration fee!

This just isn’t any race….while you run, you’ll be dodging potholes, painting pop art for charity, being chased by zombies, eating chicken wings – and more!

Race “When & Where”:

Date: October 12, 2013

Time: 10:00 AM

Place: Roberto Clemente Park (by Heinz Field)

Cost: $32 (with your coupon)


Registration includes:

• Your race fee

• A Brocathalon t-shirt

• Access to the post-race party


For more information and to register, click here!

This annual charity golf tournament is being held at the beautiful Nemacolin Woodlands Resort today:



“Great group I’m playing with at the Mario Lemieux golf event. From left to right – Larry Wechler, James Kang, me, Jim Russavage, and Brad Aurila.” — Ben



And thank you to Mr. Lemieux’s Foundation for this photo of Ben posing with the man himself, Mario Lemieux, out on the course this morning!



The Mario Lemieux Foundation is dedicated to cancer research, patient care and the Austin’s Playroom Project, which creates playrooms in medical facilities.


You can learn more about the Mario Lemieux Foundation here.

You can see all the photos here.


*Thank you to Ben Herring!