A Make-A-Wish moment on Friday for a big fan –


From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:

Alex Wagner couldn’t stop smiling, and his parents even laughed at the fact that he was actually giddy, something out of character for the normally serious 14-year old. But Wagner had good reason for being that way. What kid wouldn’t be smiling if they were a guest at Steelers’ practice and getting ready to meet the team?

Wagner, who has hypothalmic disorder, was at practice courtesy of the team and Make-A-Wish Foundation and will attend Sunday’s game against the Eagles at Heinz Field.

When practice ended, things got even better as the players all made their way over to Wagner, talking to him, posing for pictures and signing autographs. Ben Roethlisberger took him into the locker room, and then off to his production meeting with Fox Sports where he met Troy Aikman, who is in town for the game.


You can read more (and see some great photos) here.

Say “Trick or Treat” BIG BEN style this October 31st!!!


If you have a Big Ben going out for Halloween or attending a costume party this year and you’d like to send us their photo, we’d love to post it in Ben’s Lil’ Fans album, just like we did last year.

That’s Garrett Cagle and Zac Godfrey at left getting ready to head out for Halloween, 2011!

Now what if your Trick or Treater is going as Brett Keisel or James Harrison, Troy Polamalu or maybe Heath Miller?

That’s fine too!

Snap a photo of ’em, send it via email and we’ll post it in Ben’s Lil’ Teammates album!





The Trick or Treaters were out in force at the Roethlisberger house last year!


Ben and Ashley were busy handing out candy and snapping photos to share of just a few of the scary, the spooky, the funny, the pretty, and the down right cute kids that showed up at their door last Halloween!

They were showing up at the door as fast as Ben was sending the photos!

You can see their collection of photos in Ben’s album here (bottom of page 3 & top of page 4).



*If you would like to share a photo of your Lil’ Ben fan or Lil’ Teammate this Halloween, send it in an email to: bigben7website@gmail.com

“I think it’s great. It’s a great boost for the defense because they’re out there. The defense just kind of feeds off those guys as leaders. Offensively, it’s going to be great to see them out there, to see that hair blowing in the wind as he’s running around making tackles is a neat thing.” — Ben, on the return of Troy Polamalu and James Harrison

Highlights from Ben’s talk with the media today about Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles:

What problems does the Eagles defense present?

I hate to say problem. I like to say challenge. The challenge is for the tackles, the tight ends, and the line in general. If we can protect in the pass game, I think that’s big for us because we can take advantage of our wide receivers and our tight ends down the field. In the run game, taking advantage of those guys really being more speed guys, hopefully we can use some strength and power to move them.


When you are scoring a lot of points, does it matter if they come via the run or the pass?

You want to win the game however you can win the game, truthfully. We always say we want to score points so we have to keep scoring points, score more, and bring the running game as we go.


Re: The importance of this game, even though it is not a divisional or conference game:

We definitely want to get back on track. But, in just talking to the Philly media, it’s probably just as much Pittsburgh versus Philadelphia. Ever since I’ve been here, like you said it’s not a division game, it’s AFC versus NFC, but no matter what sport it is it seems to be Pittsburgh versus Philly and a general hatred. That’s what I’ve noticed since I moved here about Philadelphia. I think it’s just as much that, too.


Re: Pittsburgh versus Philadelphia in other sports:

I’m always rooting for the Pittsburgh team. There’s no doubt about that. I like to watch the fans boo the Flyers so I boo too (laughs).


You can read more from Teresa Varley’s Steelers.com Blog here.

You can watch the video of his interview here.



Also Today:

From Mark Kaboly, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

“The biggest thing is our thoughts and prayers are with Coach Pagano and his family and everything that he’s going through. Hopefully, he can get healthy and get back at it and I know that B.A. will do a great job of filling in for him.” — Ben referencing the news about the illness of Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano.

Highlights from Ben’s interview:


On whether he anticipates many games being decided on the final drive –

Potentially. You hope not. You hope that you can blow someone out and not have to worry about the last drive. I need to be better on the last drive. I take pride in fourth quarter comebacks and drives. I just need to be better and be ready for them.


On the idea of “needing a win” this weekend –

There’s no panic in here. It’s still a marathon, but we need to get a win. We’re playing a very good team coming in here. We’re glad to be back at home and we’ll see what we can do.


On his center, Maurkice Pouncey –

He’s the best center in the game. He’s a Pro Bowler for a reason. I’m blessed to have him.


On this weekend’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, from the offensive side –

It’s nice being able to use the cadence at home and being able to slow down rushers, hopefully. It’s just easier to communicate. We’ll be able to use the field to our advantage and the fans. We enjoy being at home and we’ll try to take advantage of that.


You can watch the video of his interview here.

Just wanted to wish my mom a very Happy Birthday today! Love you very much! Thanks for all you do, have done, and will do!

October 29th 2012 – Bid for Hope IX:

Heath Miller and his wife Katie will once again host this worthwhile event. This year the festivities will take place at Jergels Rhythm Grill in Warrendale.

It is sponsored through A Glimmer of Hope and proceeds benefit the “Under Forty Breast Cancer Study”.

Kickoff begins at 7:00 PM and ends at 11:00 PM.  The Autograph Session with Heath and his teammates is from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

The evening also includes both a live and a silent auction so fans can bid on autographed Steelers memorabilia, and great food and drinks!

This year’s Special Guest Auctioneer is Bob Pompeani, Sports Director for KDKA.

“It’s for a great cause,” said Heath Miller, whose cousin successfully battled the disease. “It’s something that has been a part of the Steelers for a while now. It’s such a good thing. It’s important for us to contribute.”

Heath will be accompanied by some of his teammates – Previous attendees have included teammates Ben, Brett Keisel (above signing autographs at the 2011 event), and Troy Polamalu. Also, it’s not unusual for former teammate Alan Faneca, who previously hosted the event, to return to Pittsburgh to join the cause as well.


If you’d like to purchase tickets, click here.

If you’d like to make a donation, click here.

You can see photos from past Bid For Hope events here and here.

You can keep up with Heath Miller’s career here.


*Thank you to Diana Napper, Glimmer of Hope, photographer Gary Yon, and Trish!