The 2013 NFL Combine begins later this week, February 23rd through the 26th. More than 300 top prospects for the upcoming NFL Draft will be invited to participate at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

A look back –

It was nine years ago this week (February 18th-24th) that another top prospect emerged in the 2004 NFL Combine…

“It’s remarkable how far he has come in such a short time. Until his senior year in high school, he was a receiver. Yet, he was talented enough to take the Mid-American Conference by storm. That might not seem like a ringing endorsement on the surface, but remember that the last two MAC quarterbacks to do that were Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich, both of whom appear to have bright NFL futures. Roethlisberger, who declared himself eligible for the NFL draft after his junior year, has a good pro arm, is more athletic than Eli Manning and Philip Rivers and sees the field well. Scouts generally believe he has the highest upside of this year’s QB crop, but also represents the greatest risk because of his limited experience.” — The late Joe Stein, NFL Draft expert for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

From an article written by Jeff Zillgitt that was featured in USA Today, February 19, 2004:

The inquiry at the top of everyone’s list?

“Ben, where do you think you’ll be drafted?”

It’s a question he can’t answer. He knows where he wants to be drafted.

About six weeks ago, Roethlisberger moved to Newport Beach, Calif., and began a rigorous workout regimen.

“My agent is the only one I can listen to,” Roethlisberger said. “I can be No. 1. I can be in the top 5. But I still have to work as hard as I can.”

The 6-5, 245-pounder possesses the qualities teams want in a quarterback: size, arm strength, accuracy, some mobility, smarts.

Roethlisberger and Manning are at the six-day NFL combine in Indianapolis, where prospects show off their physical and mental skills.

It also gives teams a chance to interview and get to know the players.

It might determine where Roethlisberger and Manning go in the draft.

San Diego, Oakland and Arizona pick 1-2-3 in the draft. All could use a quarterback. The Chargers aren’t […]

Binky? Check!

Golf Channel on? Check!




































Just watching some golf on TV with my dad! — Benjamin, Jr.



A few more photos can be enjoyed here!

“I think it’s kinda cool to be getting a grant from Ben Roethlisberger. I want to thank the foundation and everyone else for their support. I am grateful for everything that we get to help keep this program going.” — Officer George Grippo, Mt. Pleasant Police K9 handler.

From an article by Marilyn Forbes in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review this afternoon:

Pittsburgh Steeler Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has thousands of fans and he just got one more — a four-legged one.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s K-9 officer, Gerro and handler Officer George Grippo have been awarded a grant from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation.

“I heard about this last year through the sheriff’s office but it was already too late to apply. I missed the deadline,” Grippo said. “I filled out the paperwork and then she called me about two weeks to tell me I was approved. I wasn’t allowed to leave the cat out of the bag until she issued a press release but I was really excited that we had been approved.”

Grippo has been in the process of trying to raise funding to purchase a newer SUV for him and Gerro and partial proceeds from the money that he is receiving from the foundation will go toward purchasing cage that will be specially fit for the vehicle.


You can read more from Ms. Forbes column on the grant here.

You can learn more about Ben’s Foundation here.

…because this one comes from a fan of a rival AFC North team!

Bengals fan and MU alum Dan Plettner not only had the opportunity to attend the Hall of Fame Induction Dinner last Saturday, but also the opportunity to meet and chat with Big Ben.

He was kind enough to share his story with us:

I had a splendid experience at Ben Roethlisberger’s Miami University Hall of Fame Induction Dinner on Saturday evening. Ben was inducted alongside his posthumous coach, Terry Hoeppner. Ben’s emotions and words were a great tribute to Coach Hoeppner.

I had brought a football for which I frankly am still working toward a decent historical knowledge.

I went up to Ben shortly before dinner and told him I had something I thought he might like to see. He smiled immediately as he saw the Redhawks logo on the ball’s finish and then he began examining the ball pretty closely.

I am still uncertain whether the football was actually used in practice and/or games… and whether it was definitively ever touched by Ben in 2003, but I loved the ball 10 times more the moment Ben remarked about the ball to the effect, “this ball has a lot of history.” Another former player at the event informed that the ball was a new model/style in ’03.

I enjoyed a normal conversation with “Big Ben” and he seemed to find my challenge of being a proud Miami alum simultaneous with being a Bengals fan pretty humorous. After talking, when I informed him that I’d be honored if he choose to sign the ball he graciously reached for my pen and took his time to choose a place to autograph it. After thanking him, I felt like a little kid and discretely walked the football around the perimeter of the room (rather than taking a direct route back to my table) so as not to “open the floodgates” for others to approach and ask for his autograph just before the dinner commenced.

Later, listening to the speeches from Ben (which truely honored Terry Hoeppner) and Terry’s wife really fully made me appreciate my good fortune for observing a special night in the history at Miami University.

It also helped me to appreciate Ben on […]

…from Steeler Nation (and both a Ravens fan and a 49ers fan!)


Messages have been coming in all weekend for Ben on his induction into Miami University’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Below are just a few of the many “congrats” received via email, the website’s Facebook page, and Twitter account:

“Congratulations to my big brother on being inducted into the Miami Hall of Fame! So proud of you!!” — Carlee Roethlisberger

“I just wanted to say congrats to Ben for being inducted into the Miami Hall of Fame. What an honor, and well deserved! I’m sure Coach Hep would feel just as honored to go in with you as you do with him! Much love and God Bless!” — Maddie Mulinaro, Indianapolis, IN


“It has been an amazing journey seeing him grow for a confident young man to an impressive role model and Super Bowl Champ. We love you Ben.” — Laurene Harrison


“Congratulations Ben on making the Redhawks HOF on behalf of Steelers Xtreme.” — Nathan Bays


“Awesome job! Congrats on a much deserved honor, One day it will be the NFL Hall of Fame.”— Brandi Herres


Congratulations to @_BigBen7 for his induction into the MiamiOH HOF. — Brett Keisel ‏@bkeisel99


“Congratulations, Ben. So proud of you!” — Donna Jones

“Ben, I want to add my congratulations on your induction to the MOH Hall Of Fame. Your many accomplishments should be a great source of pride to you and your family. And, as an avid fan since the day you became a Steeler, I am so pleased that you are receiving these honors. You continue to make me proud — of your generosity in the community, your dedication to your family and your talent, hard work and accomplishments as our quarterback!” — Jan Banko, PA

“2nd Favorite Steeler QB of all time and may pass the Blond Bomber, when all said and done.” — Dave Hopkins, Dillsburg, PA


“Congratulations. You deserve it. There is payback in all the good you do.” — Barb Painter


“Awesome job Ben, you deserve it and much, much more!” — Cheryl Halstead


“Congrats to Ben! Such and honor…such a blessing! Your talent and skills are so worthy of this and more. Enjoy your day and keep it close to your heart!! So happy you will be connected to […]

“I’m honored to be a graduate, to have my number retired, to be in the Hall of Fame now and to say that I went to Miami. People all the time ask, why Miami? And I say obviously the academics and a chance to play early and Coach Hoeppner.” — Ben

From Rick Cassano, who covered the event for Miami University sports:

Ben Roethlisberger came home Saturday and brought Terry Hoeppner with him.

“I know he is here in spirit with us,” Roethlisberger said. “Going in with Coach Hep, it couldn’t get any better.”

Miami University introduced its 2013 Hall of Fame class during the men’s basketball game against Akron at Millett Hall, and Roethlisberger — a two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers — said he was thrilled to enter the Hall with the late Hoeppner, who recruited and coached him at MU.

“This was one of the first schools, if not the first, to offer me a scholarship. Coach Hep took a chance on me, a kid that never played quarterback until his senior year of high school. That’s why I love this school and Coach Hep so much. They gave me a chance to prove what I was capable of doing.”

Of the bachelor’s degree in education that he picked up last May, the 30-year-old Findlay High School graduate said it was something he always hoped to obtain.

“It was a bigger goal early on, and then as you start getting sidetracked, off-seasons get shorter and things are going on,” Roethlisberger said. “Having a son on the way — and now he’s here — it just kind of motivated me further to get it done and just to tell my son and hopefully more kids that I got my degree and how important education is.”


You can read more from Mr. Cassano column here.

You can see photos from the weekend’s events here.


*Thank you to Miami University!