The six newest members of the Hall of Fame Class of 2012-13 were honored this afternoon during the mens basketball game versus Akron. Among the six was our own Big Ben.

Ben was an ESPNU on-air guest during the game just before the halftime ceremony took place. A few of the highlights from his interview:

First things first, is he getting any sleep with a new baby in the house?

It hasn’t been too bad…sleepless nights for her, for sure. I help out as much as I can, but it’s really a neat thing to be a father. It’s awesome!!


On what it means to come back to MU and be inducted with Coach Hoeppner –

It’s an awesome honor to be able to come back. I’ve been blessed to have my number retired, I graduated this last summer, and now to go into the Hall of Fame, it’s really a neat thing to do, and it’s even better to go in with Coach Hep! I know he’s not here physically, but he’s here in spirit and it doesn’t get any better than to go in with a guy who was a mentor to me and one of the main reasons I came to this school.


On MU quarterback, Zac Dysert –

I’ve actually been able to develop a good relationship with him – talking to him quite a bit, just encouraging him. I know what he’s going through, I know how hard it is, how hectic it is. I’m just being supportive and telling him, ‘it will get easier, I promise’ (smiles). This is a tough time right now getting ready for the Draft and the things that he’s got to go through. Great player. I was really excited for him to break my records, and it’s just neat to see someone like that – a good guy do it.


On whether he watched the NFL playoffs –

You don’t watch much of the playoffs if you’re not in it! Not making the playoffs is tough, but it gives us something to build on, and adds a little fuel to the fire for next year, and it kind of motivates you.


Who would you like to see coming back next season for the Steelers?

Everybody. I mean you never want to lose anybody, and […]

Today, Ben announced the final grants of the 2012-13 season from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund.

The Foundation will be distributing eight grants totaling $66,382.17 to police departments in the Pittsburgh area.

The K-9 Departments receiving funding from Ben’s Foundation this year are the Borough of Kittanning, Center Township, City of Aliquippa, City of Clairton, Latrobe, Mt. Pleasant Borough, New Castle, and Robinson Township Police Departments. Funds will be used to start new K-9 units as well as maintain existing ones who will purchase additional K-9s, K-9 safety vests, training equipment, food and other necessary expenses of the K-9 units.

The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation is grateful for its generous supporters who have enabled it to expand its K-9 grant program, including Pro Camps and Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office as well as caring individual donors from around the country.

The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office has generously offered to match half of the grants awarded to departments in their county. This includes Robinson Township and City of Clairton Police Departments.

Allegheny County District Attorney, Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said, “I appreciate the work of Ben Roethlisberger and his foundation in helping to ensure that law enforcement in Allegheny County have the best tools, equipment and training available. I am proud of our continuing partnership with The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund.”

Robinson Township Police Chief Dale Vietmeier added, “I would like to thank the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation for the support in helping us establish our K-9 unit. The donation from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation has allowed us to purchase our first ever K-9 that will not only benefit the Robinson Township Police Department, but the entire community that we serve.”

City of Aliquippa Chief of Police Andre Davis offered, “We are especially proud and appreciative to Ben Roethlisberger for all the work and support that he provides through his foundation to not only the City of Aliquippa but Western Pennsylvania in general. His giving heart and spirit are a true testament to his character and love for the area that he works and lives in. He truly knows the meaning of giving back.”

New Castle City Police Department Chief Robert Salem shared, “From apprehending suspects, to locating dangerous drugs, the K-9 unit plays an integral […]

“When they called and told me, it was an awesome honor. I am really proud to have graduated. People were laughing because my jersey was already retired. But to be in the Hall of Fame with the people there, it’s a super year. I think it speaks highly of Miami as a university to honor me at the same time of graduation. I think that speaks on how important they think of academics.” — Ben, during his graduation week from MU (photo below).

On Saturday, February 9th, Miami will honor six outstanding individuals with their induction into the Miami University Athletics Hall of Fame.

One of those being inducted is Big Ben.

Ben holds every major passing record in Miami history. Passing for more than 200 yards in all 14 games during the 2003 season, he also owns NCAA records for most games in a season gaining 200 or more passing yards and consecutive games with at least 200 passing yards. A Third-Team Associated Press All-American in 2003 and Freshman All-American in 2001, he was twice named Miami’s Male Co-Athlete of the Year (2000-01 and 2003-04) while being named MAC Freshman of the Year (2001), and MAC Offensive Player of the Year (2003).

Ben was also a three-time All-MAC selection, earning first-team honors in 2003 and second-team recognition in 2001 and 2002. A three-year letter winner, he forewent his final season of eligibility to enter the 2004 NFL Draft. Miami retired his jersey No. 7 in 2007.

But what makes the induction really special for Ben – he will be inducted in the same class as his college coach, the late Terry Hoeppner, who passed away in June, 2007 of brain cancer. Miami had a winning season in each of Hoeppner’s six years as the school’s head coach (1999-2004).

“Going in with him, it doesn’t get any better than that. It’s an honor to get in. But I owe so much to him, for my career, my life, and who I am as a person. A lot of it is because of him. I have always said he was like a father to me. He would be one of my best friends today. I still think about him a lot. To go in with him, […]

Both of our fan stories this week come all the way from the Emerald Isle, where Ben and his friends enjoyed a golf vacation in June of 2012. And both gentlemen said they felt very lucky to have met Pittsburgh’s Big Ben during his trip to their beautiful country.


James Hurley, a big NFL fan, just recently found the website’s Twitter page, and shared this photo to thank Ben for stopping by the pub where he works:



June, 2012: Ben poses with James Hurley (left) and Jeremiah Buckley at Charlie Foley’s Pub in Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland.

“I was quite shocked when he came in as I have one of his jerseys at home, but I couldn’t go home to get it signed because I was working. Thank you so much! We have the picture framed in the bar and it is a real hit with all the Americans who visit us. Just a pity we couldn’t get it signed, that would have been magical!” — James Hurley


And from the management at Charlie Foley’s Pub via Twitter to Ben’s website about his visit:

“What a gentle giant! [Came in] to the pub and couldn’t be nicer. We have his picture on our wall, he is our adopted hero! We wish him the luck of the Irish!”



Ben also found a fan on one of Ireland’s most beautiful golf courses!

Old Head Golf Links is located in County Cork on the Southwest Coast of Ireland:




June, 2012: Ben poses with James Cullinane on a chilly day on the course.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ben last summer in Ireland at the Old Head Golf Links. As a huge supporter of the NFL I was awestruck when I saw him and it made my summer! — James Cullinane



Thank you to James Hurley and James Cullinane for sharing their photos and stories!

You can check out more fan stories and photos, including a few from Ben’s trip to Ireland and Scotland here (the photos and stories from his trip begin on page 6, bottom row).

“Let me just say that Ben’s camp was an absolute delight!! It’s a very well run and organized camp with never a dull moment. Ben is great with the kids! Once again he threw the football to every camper so they could have chance to ‘catch a pass from Big Ben’! Both of my grandson’s caught their passes! YEAH!! Thanks so much to Ben for a wonderful experience for my grandsons!!” – Anita Doddroe, June 19, 2012.

It’s cold and snowy right now…

but it’s not too early to sign your child up to join Ben this summer for some football instruction and fun at his Annual Football Camp, sponsored by ProCamps Worldwide! In fact, registration opens today – Friday, January 25th!

The Camp is open to boys and girls, ages 7-14.

Ben will be joined by a selection of the top prep and college coaches from the area.

Each day, the campers will experience various stations, specializing in fundamental skills of football. Individual groups will be small to assure that each camper gets maximum instruction.

Ben will give daily talks highlighting the finer points of the game of football and beyond. Parents and guests will be able to listen to camp guests in designated areas at each location.

And you never know which of Ben’s teammates will show up to help out #7! Kids that attend Ben’s Camp have had the opportunity to meet and get instruction from Brett Keisel, Charlie Batch, Willie Colon, and even Coach Tomlin!


Dates: June 17th and 18th, 2013

Times: 09:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Place: Seneca Valley High School, Harmony, PA

Cost: $199.*

*If you use the code BigBen7 when you register, you’ll receive a $20 discount off the registration fee, courtesy of ProCamps!

Each camper will receive –

• Camp T-Shirt
• Autographed Camp team photo with Ben
• 7 Hours of expert instruction
• Opportunity to win contests and prizes

In the event of heavy rain or inclement weather, the camp will be moved to a nearby indoor facility. Camp instruction and other related activities will continue inside the facility.

Parents will be notified of the indoor location in the Camp Bulletin that they receive at check-in on the first day of camp.

Additional camp partners include Greater Pittsburgh Physical Therapy […]

This week’s fan story comes from Tom Keen, of DuBois, PA:






















My wife, Alexis and I were driving home from Florida after visiting her parents for the holidays and we ended up staying at the Hyatt Regency in Louisville, Kentucky. It was funny because it was probably a 1 in 30 chance that we ended up at that hotel because we used Priceline to book it so we didn’t get to choose where we stayed.

We were up in our room and looking on the Facebook page when we realized Big Ben, Brett Keisel, and Merril Hodge were in the area at the ATA Show. We decided to get dressed and walk around the hotel a bit, never thinking we would run into them. We walked down to the lobby and literally two minutes later Big Ben walked in the front door.

Being huge Steelers fans for 25 years, my wife and I were totally stoked! I called out to him that I would love to get a picture with him and he hollered over to me, “Let’s do it”!

We were so excited that night we could hardly sleep. Thank you so much Ben for stopping for us to get a picture, and to make such an awesome memory.

Congratulations to you and your wife on having Ben Junior and much luck next year. Hopefully you can bring home Number Seven! — Tom Keen


*Thank you for sharing the photo and story, Tom!!


Also Today:

We’ve added more fan photos to the gallery. There are a few new Lil’ Fans, Big fans – including one from Steeler Nation Down Under, and even some furry fans!


You are welcome to submit your photos and fan stories to us at BigBen7website@gmail.com!