Ben’s “Path to the Draft”, Part III
April 24, 2004: A long day at the NFL Draft for the future Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback…
“I was in New York. I had my mom and dad with me, my sister was there and my agent. My college coach at the time and his wife were there. Everyone kind of had their speculations of ‘what number’ and what team. The teams we thought were going to take me didn’t, but it ended up working out perfectly for me.” — Ben, from the video, “Recalling Draft Day”.
Ben arrives at Madison Square Garden that Saturday morning with plenty of supporters in his corner – his family, his agents Leigh Steinberg and Ryan Tollner, and his college coach, Terry Hoeppner and his wife Jane.
At 11:20 a.m.: Ben and four others – Eli Manning, Roy Williams, Robert Gallery, and Kellen Winslow Jr. – are introduced to the crowd.
Green Room waiting –
• 12:25 p.m.: NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue announces that the San Diego Chargers have selected Eli Manning with the No. 1 pick. Eli emerges from stage right and is greeted by unwelcoming chants by the Chargers fans in attendance.
• 12:58 p.m.: NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue announces that the New York Giants have selected NC State quarterback Philip Rivers with the No. 4 pick. Soon thereafter the trade with the Chargers is announced – Eli Manning is headed to New York, Philip Rivers to San Diego. Both fan bases seem pleased with the outcome….as Ben waits for his turn.
• 1:57 p.m.: Pittsburgh is on the clock. “We see Ben Roethlisberger on the phone,” ESPN announces for the television audience. Sure enough, it’s Steelers coach Bill Cowher calling to tell Ben the Steelers are going to select him with the No. 11 pick.
• 2:00 p.m.: NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue announces that Ben is indeed headed for Pittsburgh. Ben arrives on stage and dons a Steelers ballcap and holds up a Steelers jersey.
• 2:01 p.m.: The Steelers fans in the crowd begin to chant, “Ben, Ben, Ben….”
• 2:02 p.m.: Just off stage, Ben does a press conference for television reporters and then disappears from the public room to do a few interviews with the Pittsburgh media.
• 2:43 p.m.: Ben emerges from the players’ […]
“The power of Steeler Nation is awesome”
Just two weeks ago, we shared the story of Linda Harper in a “Shout Out” at the end of the April Fan Photos post.
Linda is fighting breast cancer and informed us that she would wear the jerseys of her three favorite Steelers players during her chemo treatments, because she was sure that this particular trio would help her kick cancer’s butt:
“Big Ben has overcome so many obstacles in his personal and professional life…what an inspiration”, she said in her email. “I will take my next round in my Brett Keisel #99 jersey…big dude…will help me kick cancer’s a**…and the third treatment will be in my Troy #43 jersey…we all need someone to pray for us and I know if he knew me he would say a prayer for me….then I will start the rounds all over again with Big Ben #7!”
Now that’s not the end of this particular “Shout Out”!
Fellow Steelers fan and long-time follower to the website, Steve Bishop, read her story and asked for a favor – an address where he could send something to Linda, something that was very special to him that he hoped might put a smile on her face.
Linda’s husband Lane was happy to oblige Steve with an address, and just this week we received an email from him about that gift:
“I wanted to share with you what one of Ben’s fans from Bridgeport, NY sent to Linda after reading her story on his website.
The power of Steeler Nation is awesome.
She had her second treatment today and we are happy to report that her tumor has shrunk by twenty percent since the first treatment two weeks ago.”
Lane Harper snapped a photo of Linda’s new prized possession – an autographed Jack Lambert photo in a frame with a letter she will always keep:
“I read your post on Ben’s site. And I thought what tougher Steeler has there been than Jack Lambert? So I thought how great would it be to have this autographed picture of the toughest S.O.B. Steeler Nation has ever seen to help kick cancer’s a**! I hope in some small way that this, along with the prayers of my family, will somehow make just one minute of of […]
Golfing for a great cause!
Grab your clubs and three golfing buddies and meet Ben, his friends and teammates on the golf course at the Sewickley Heights Golf Club on June 3rd for the Second Annual Ben Roethlisberger Foundation Invitational!
The tournament will benefit both the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation.
Since 2007, the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation has made 107 grants totaling more than $950,000 to 102 police and fire departments and five community youth organizations, including Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Make A Wish Foundation. These 102 canine grants have funded the purchase of 66 dogs, the training of 28 dogs and 50 handlers, safety equipment for more than 50 dogs, and training equipment for 31 dogs, as well as food, vet services and housing for countless more.
“The Montgomery County (MD) Sheriffs Office wanted to again thank Ben Roethlisberger and BigBen7.com for the support you have shown our office in the past. Last year we were able to purchase ballistic vests for all of our K9s because of your support.” – Deputy Sheriff James Johnson, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
A total of 112 golfers participated in last year’s tournament with 27 companies and corporations sponsoring the event, including Apollo Jets, Patriot Homes Corporation, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PNC, #1 Cochran, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The golfers and their host had a great time with the pre-tournament competitions, which included the Chip Shot Challenge, a Super Bowl XLIII Challenge (throwing the football through the hands of a cardboard Santonio Holmes), Shuffleboard Golf, a “Big Shot” Challenge (driving your way through the AFC North), a $5,000 Putt Challenge, and a $1 million dollar Shootout (165 yard shot). During the tournament, golfers had the opportunity to try their hand at other competitions along the course, including Poker & Roulette Golf, a Men’s and Women’s Long Drive, the Straight Drive, a “Coffin Corner” on the 9th hole, and a TPC Sawgrass “Island Green” hole on the 17th.
Space is limited for the tournament, so make your golfing plans now!
You can sign up for the tournament (foursomes only – no single golfers), or learn more about it here.
You can see an album full of photos from last year’s Invitational here.
Is dining and dancing more your […]
“Roethlisberger leading the way at workouts”
“I wanted to tell them this is the start of the 2013 season. It’s important for us to know if we want to be the best we can be it starts now. I wanted to let them know that I am here to help and support them, and I plan on leading any way I can.” — Ben, on being there for his teammates.
From an interview today with Teresa Varley, at Steelers.com:
After going through the team’s first voluntary conditioning workouts on Monday, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger signaled for the large turnout of players to gather around him on the field.
While his words couldn’t be heard beyond the tight knit group that formed a circle around him, his actions certainly could. It was a true sign of leadership, Roethlisberger showing that he is not just committed to winning, but to being one of the true veteran leaders on the team.
Roethlisberger doesn’t have to be at the workouts, as they are voluntary and as a veteran he knows what it takes to get ready for when OTAs begin. But for younger players, and even other veterans, seeing him there definitely shines a light on the importance of getting off to a strong start.
“I want the younger guys to know how important this is,” said Roethlisberger. “The older guys, they don’t need to be here. They have been here long enough. Me being here is to encourage the young guys and the ones that haven’t been doing it a long time, to know how important it is by seeing a veteran guy here and do what I can to lead these young guys.
“We have had so much change. We lost a lot of veteran guys. I look around and I think there are only five or six guys on this team that are older than me now. It’s important for me as a leader and a quarterback to be here and show guys I am dedicated to this team and this season and am doing what I can to be the best I can be.”
Roethlisberger agrees that change can be good. But he also likes the fact that he will still have some of his receivers in the fold, including Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders.
“It’s going to be big for these […]
“Offseason workouts underway for the Steelers”
“I started seven days after our last game, doing cardio five to six days a week. I want to play 16 games and more.” — Ben, during an interview with Mike Prisuta today.
From Teresa Varley this afternoon, Steelers.com:
The first regular season game isn’t until September, but football season got underway for many Steelers’ players on Monday with the first day of voluntary workouts.
“It’s great to see so many guys come out, especially after a disappointing year last year,” said defensive end Brett Keisel. “Everyone is here on the first day ready to work and hopefully get back on the winning side of things.”
Among the newcomers at voluntary workouts was quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, a seven-year veteran who signed with the team in March. Monday was an opportunity for him to start building a rapport with his new teammates, including Ben Roethlisberger, and he was happy to finally get his Steelers’ career rolling.
“Ever since I signed I couldn’t wait for this day because this is the start of the 2013 football season,” said Gradkowski. “We’re excited to get it started. Just to see all of the guys here working hard, Ben, the linemen, Keisel. It’s an exciting time.
You can read more from Ms. Varley’s report here.
You can watch video from their first workout here.
You can also read more from Ben’s short interview with Mike Prisuta here.
A Make-A-Wish day to remember
“Brandon’s Make-A-Wish was to meet Big Ben and the Steelers. That day was the best day since Brandon was diagnosed with cancer.” — Brett Brawdy, father of Brandon.
The Brawdy family reached out to us this week to share their son, Brandon’s experience in meeting Big Ben, Brett Keisel and all of their teammates last summer:
“The day Brandon got to meet the Steelers, Ben yelled out ‘Make-A-Wish’ and was the first one to run right up to Brandon on the field as soon as the horn sounded that practice was over”, said Mr. Brawdy. “Then it was on…the whole team surrounded him like he was a rock star to sign his football! They stayed out there until he got to meet all of the players that were there.”
It was exactly what 15-year old Brandon, who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer a year and a half ago, had wished for ever since his parents contacted the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“The smile and awe that was on my nephew’s face that day, captured in photos that we will forever cherish”, said his aunt, Janice Brawdy. “He lit up when he was around them. I love looking at all the photos! It was such an amazing, wonderful day for him. Thank you Big Ben and all the Steelers family for making Bran’s day one of the best days ever!”
One of the best moments of the day for Brandon was meeting his favorite player, Brett Keisel. He also posed for photos with Ben, Brett, Antonio Brown, Coach Tomlin, and smiled in several group shots with the Steelers defense!
More from Brandon’s father:
“The story behind the picture I sent of Ben reaching out to shake my wife’s hand with the huge grin on Bran’s face is one I will always remember.
After Ben yelled out ‘Make-A-Wish’, he ran towards Bran and about five feet before he got to him, he turned towards my wife and acted like the wish was for her. Everyone that was with us cracked up laughing – it immediately put everyone at ease!
Ben also knew that Brett Keisel was one of Bran’s favorite players, so Ben was introducing himself to our family as Brett!
We just couldn’t believe how much time Ben and […]