“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!

Congrats to Coach Arians on the Arizona job! Cardinals, you’re getting a great coach and an even better person! — Ben

At Jergels tonight to watch the Gin Blossoms. Ron and all the people at Jergels are awesome! — Ben

Jergel’s Rhythm Grille is located at 103 Slade Lane in Warrendale, PA.

The Grille was the site for The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation event in July of 2012, Heath Miller’s Glimmer of Hope benefit in November of 2012, and will be the site of the much-anticipated Brett Keisel’s Shear Da Beard event on February 7th (sorry, tickets are sold out).

Jergels was also the home base for the “Rock & Roll for a Cause” Hurricane Sandy Donation Drive in November.


You can check Jergels calendar of performers here.