Final Score: Steeler 26, Colts 24

“We’re making a little bit of progress. I still think we’re leaving a lot out there. We’re not playing as good as we could or should but we’re making progress.” — Ben, on the offense.

Ben completed 5-of-9 passes for 81 yards, one touchdown, and an interception in Sunday night’s preseason game against the Colts.

He is now 12-of-17 for 130 yards, one touchdown, and one interception through two preseason games.

Charlie Batch replaced Ben a little more than half-way through the second quarter, and after leading a 12-play drive ending in a field goal, Charlie was replaced by Jerrod Johnson who finished the game.

“Well, we were in the huddle and I had to call the play. I had a two-way option and I gave it to him. I thought he’d get the first down, and he ended up getting a little more.” — Ben, on the touchdown pass to Antonio Brown.

From Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post_Gazette:

As they did in Philadelphia, the Steelers scored on a 57-yard touchdown that began as a short pass. Antonio Brown took the pass from Roethlisberger with Heath Miller and Leonard Pope blocking in front of him.

Roethlisberger and his first-team offense bowed out after four possessions in the first half. Batch replaced him with 9:16 left in the second quarter.


You can read more post-game here and here.

You can check out a few photos here.


Another Game Note:

According to the Pittsburgh Business Times, “The Pittsburgh Steelers’ primetime preseason game brought a victory not only to the Steelers against the Indianapolis Colts but also NBC, which carried the telecast Sunday.

“NBC’s primetime programming averaged about 8.9 million viewers between 8 and 11 p.m. for the preseason NFL game…viewership peaked at 10.3 million in the 9 p.m. hour.”



Also Today:

Scouts Inc. and ESPN.com‘s Matt Williamson evaluated and ranked the top 200 players in the league. Ben was named fourth on the Quarterbacks List –

“He has great vision and instincts in the pocket and is one of the best at […]

From Teresa Varley this afternoon, at Steelers.com:

As 13-year old Christopher Naegeli watched the Steelers morning practice at training camp, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger came behind him, then knelt down beside him and started talking football.

The teenager who a few minutes earlier was joking with his mom and sister, got quiet and shy, meeting his hero for the first time….


You can read more from her blog, and see some great photos here!

…but we still have plenty of photos to share, thanks to Steeler Nation!

Fan Wendy Martelle added a sepia tone to her photo of Ben working with the offensive line.


You can see more of Wendy’s photos as well as action photographs taken by other fans here.


A.J. Hughes and Estaban Harlowski were able to meet Ben at camp. You can check out their photos here.


And you have to see this watercolor of Ben and Brett Keisel done by Michael A. Johnson.

On behalf of The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, I would like to personally thank all of our sponsors and participants for their generous contributions! — Ben

On July 9th, 2012, The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation Invitational took place at Sewickley Heights Golf Club in Sewickley, PA. It was Ben’s first charity golf event.

Proceeds from the Invitational benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation and The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation.

In 2011, The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation granted $46,000 to police and fire departments in the Pittsburgh area, and another $77,000 around the country for a total of $123,000.

For the past several years, Ben has devoted his time to the Make-A-Wish Foundation because of his passion to help children. One of the most memorable of these Make-A-Wish moments was when he met 14-year old Akeem Havens, who signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in May of 2008 to become one of Ben’s go-to wide receivers for the day!

A total of 112 golfers participated in the 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 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.

The weather was perfect for a patio lunch buffet provided by the Sewickley Golf Club – sunny and 85 degrees with a slight breeze. Late in the afternoon, after 18 holes of golf, there was a delicious dinner provided inside the Club, where prizes were given for the day’s big winners.


You can see photos from the Invitational here!

“It’s awesome. It’s so much fun! When a kid’s wish is to hang out with the Steelers, it’s special. To see the smile on their face is so neat.” — Ben, on what the experience meant to him.

From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com today:

Safety Troy Polamalu made a day at training camp special for 11-year old Teddy Theys, who got to meet his favorite Steelers player and many others thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Theys attended one of the team’s morning practices, receiving a personal welcome from Coach Mike Tomlin before meeting Polamalu and hanging out with him on the practice field.

In addition to meeting Polamalu, Theys also met Brett Keisel and Ben Roethlisberger on the field, and then the rest of the players once practice ended.


You can read more from Ms. Varley and see some great photos here.



Also Today:

A new Da Baby Beard!

Congratulations to Brett Keisel and his wife, Sarah on the birth of their son! Da Baby Beard joins a big brother and big sister! Brett announced the happy news on his website today! You can also follow him on Facebook and Twitter!



From one foundation to another!

The 6th Annual Alby Oxenreiter Golf Classic for the Multiple Sclerosis Service Society division of UCP/CLASS was held on Monday, August 6, 2012 at the Chartiers Country Club.

Mr. Oxenreiter is the Sports Director for WPXI-TV, and the main sports anchor for Channel 11 News. He is the host for this annual day of golfing with proceeds raised helping local people living with Multiple Sclerosis and to provide them with services through the Multiple Sclerosis Service Society.

One of the sponsors of the event is The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation. Mr. Oxenreiter wanted to recognize Ben for his support:

“Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger and his foundation have never wavered in their support of what we do. Thanks Ben!”


You can learn more about his annual tournament here.

Steelers 23, Eagles 24

“I can’t imagine what he’s going through and the struggle he and his family are going through, but he saw the love that was out there from his team and from his coaches and the fans and the owners. — Ben, on the support shown for him prior to the game.

Pre-Game moments with Coach Reid, from USA TODAY:

There was an outpouring of empathy and condolences for a father and his family as the 54-year-old coach began working in public through the loss of his eldest son, Garrett, 29, who died Sunday at the team’s training camp site in Bethlehem, Pa.

Two hours before kickoff, Steelers owner Dan Rooney, team president Art Rooney II, GM Kevin Colbert and Head Coach Mike Tomlin met with Reid in the locker room to offer their condolences.

Steelers QBs Ben Roethlisberger (sharing a lighter moment with Coach Reid at left) and backup Byron Leftwich followed suit when they conferred with Reid on the Eagles sideline…


More here.



During the game, from Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Ben Roethlisberger [7/8 for 49 yards, 0 TD’s, 0 Int] led his new offense to a field goal on the game’s first drive, then turned things over to the backup quarterbacks as the Steelers grabbed a 3-0 lead over the Eagles after one quarter.

After Shaun Suisham kicked a 46-yard field goal on the first series of the game, the Steelers scored two more times in the second quarter.

Byron Leftwich threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Emmanuel Sanders after two long runs set the Steelers up inside the five — 14 on a draw by rookie Chris Rainey and 33 yards by Dwyer through a big hole off the left side that involved rookie guard David DeCastro…


More here.

If you missed the game, you can read the TimesOnline timeline here.

Video highlights can be seen here.

A few photos can be seen here.



Quote of the Day:

“Those are my guys. I think we’ve got a great group of guys who are playing great right now. I think they’re as excited as anybody to get out and bang against other competition.” — Ben, from […]