“That man looks so familiar. It can’t be him can it? Ben Roethlisberger, here, at my work? Thousands of miles away from Pittsburgh? Nah, it can’t be!”— Chris McLaughlin

Chris’ story:

My day started like any other day. It was a beautiful day, much different than the previous 4 days of torrential rain. As I was standing at the front of the restaurant waiting to seat guests, I noticed four very tall gentlemen approaching. I greeted them, they asked for a table.

From this point onwards, my whole day changed, and even now, I cannot quite believe it.

I’m 24 years old, and for as long as I can remember, I have loved Titans Football. I’ve lived in the UK all my life and only visited the United States once a year. Living in the UK, football isn’t a very big thing. It’s gaining a big reputation, but it will never be as big as soccer. At work, I am the only person who knows anything to do with football. So for my day to take the path it took, well it’s almost unbelievable.

As I turned to lead the gentlemen to their table, I was thinking, “That man looks so familiar. It can’t be him can it? Ben Roethlisberger, here, at my work? thousands of miles away from Pittsburgh? Nah, it can’t be!”

It was. My legs were like jelly and my heart was going so fast, it would have given Usain Bolt a run for his money (no pun intended). As Ben and his companions were taking their seats, I couldn’t help but mention that he looked so familiar.

His response? “I get that a lot”.  Right there I knew it was him.

“You wouldn’t happen to live in Pittsburgh would you?”, I asked.

“Yeah, we all do”, replied Ben. He extended his hand and I shook it. It completely engulfed my hand, but I didn’t care. I was so starstruck, you wouldn’t believe.

“I’m Ben, nice to meet you”, he continued.

Now, I’m not 100% sure exactly what I said next but my mind said I know exactly who you are”. He must have been a little surprised that I recognized him straight away. I would imagine he thought he would not encounter anyone who recognizes him in Scotland.

For the rest of the […]

about Ben’s youth football camp, which ended yesterday:

“I work for a former professional baseball player that hosts camps, clinics and tournaments all over the eastern half of the United States. His company does things the right way, and people love everything about his events.  I love working for his company and being involved with his events, but over the last two days I was blown away.

“My wife brought Maddie last year and all I heard about was how great it was…and I think this year even blew me away more than I was prepared for. Ben and Brett remembered Maddie and her good friend Katie from last year.  Ben even teased the girls about being on the same team again.

“Maddie wears a bracelet and necklace with Ben’s jersey on them.  She takes a ‘Ben’ doll on softball road trips with her travel softball team, she wants to play softball at Miami of Ohio, so I guess you can say she is a little over-the-top about Ben.

“If she could have a perfect day it would have had to have been Monday. She got to hug Ben twice…she got to talk to him…she won camper of the day…and won an autographed jersey from Ben.  I am not sure she will come down out of the clouds for a while!  The camp was great and I could see how into it Ben was and how much all of the kids enjoyed it…but Ben taking that moment to let Maddie know that he remembered her from last year truly meant the world to her!” — Joe Mulinaro, IN


“We took our granddaughter, age 12, and our grandson, age 7, to Ben’s Youth Camp. What organized chaos! It was an awesome experience for both. Both caught Ben’s passes. They talked about the camp all the way back to Northern Ohio. They have already decided to come back next year, at our expense! We also really enjoyed the experience!” — Linda Hawk, Ohio


“Jonathan had a blast and will be back next year. I am VERY impressed with the camp. My stepmother actually got to tell Ben that her grandson won […]

The Ben Roethlisberger Football Camp – Day 2.

“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, to the website.

From Stephen J. Nesbitt, at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette today:

A mighty challenge awaited Ben Roethlisberger when he stepped onto the Seneca Valley High School football field Monday for his fourth annual camp.

There were 500 youths in front of him all expecting the same thing: To catch a pass from the Steelers quarterback.

Roethlisberger laughed when he heard the plan, but he obliged.

“I did it last year just because I thought it would be fun,” Roethlisberger explained. “I got told when I got here that the kids were looking forward to it, so I’ve got to do it again.

When the two-day camp wraps up today, Roethlisberger will head to the airport to embark on a 10-day golfing trip to Ireland and Scotland. The trip was a gift from his wife, Ashley, for his 30th birthday.

The first item on the itinerary is breakfast at the home of Steelers owner Dan Rooney, the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, in Dublin.


You can read more and see video from the camp here.

“My son had the most amazing time at camp….Ben was amazing to all of the campers, and was present on the field the whole time, playing, encouraging, and inspiring these young kids! Thanks Ben!” — Tina Marie Cicero, to the website.

Also Today:

Ben was a surprise call-in guest to the DVE Morning Show! He talks about the camp, the kids, impending fatherhood, mini-camp, and his trip to Ireland.

“Our sellout is 450, and this year we let in like 23 extra kids…we’ve got 470-some kids. I threw a pass to every single kid, my arm is a little sore today. We have fun, the kids have […]

“Today was absolutely amazing. Ben was SO involved with the kids and he didn’t rush anyone through anything. The main “MC/Coach” running it was awesome. He did such an amazing job. Can’t wait until tomorrow. My son Tommy, was so excited to catch Ben’s pass to him!!!! I could go on and on…..it’s just put together that well!!! Thanks to all involved!!” — Michele Rodi, to the website this evening.

From KDKA – Channel 2 today:

School is out for the summer, but some local kids spent the day learning all about football from one of the best in the business.

There was a lot of energy out on the field as 500 kids took part in the Ben Roethlisberger Football Camp.

Big Ben made the rounds to help divide the young athletes into teams.

“I’ve always had a spot in my heart for the kids and to see the joy on their face when they’re throwing a pass to get a completion and get a high five. It’s just awesome to me,” Roethlisberger said.


You can read more here.

“Had a blast at Bens football camp! These kids are hilarious. One kid caught a long ball from Ben and all the parents had to do jumping jacks!” – Brett Keisel, Camp Assistant via Twitter.

You can check out the Day 1 photos sent in by parents and grandparents here. And a few more of Da Beard here.

That’s Jonathan Porter above, Ben’s Camp Contest winner, honing in on his running back skills!

If you’d like to share your camp photos, email at BigBen7website@gmail.com!

We’re having a contest today starting at 12 Noon E.T!

It’s easy to enter…

All you have to do is be our 100th emailer and you will win an autographed 8×10 action photo of Ben!

Send your email to: bigben7website@gmail.com


*Please, just one email per email address only (subsequent emails from the same address will be discounted).


We will notify the winner via email and post an update to the site later this afternoon with the winner’s name!

WIN it for DAD!

*UPDATE: We have a winner! Congratulations to Brian Campbell, from Indiana, whose daughter Callie won the autographed photo for him (or maybe it’s the other way around! Callie is a big fan herself). Thank you to everyone who entered the contest!

You can see more Lil’ Fans here. The Lil’ Teammates album is here.



And speaking of Father’s Day…

“Ex-QBs assure Big Ben that fatherhood is a life-changer”

From J. Brady McCollough at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette this morning:

For Brad Johnson, the anticipation reminded him of game day. But when it was over, and he and his wife were driving home from the hospital with little Max Johnson in tow, there really wasn’t an apt comparison.

“It was careful driving,” Johnson said. “You talk about having your hands on 10 and 2 on the steering wheel. That’s God’s gift to my wife and I. You understood there’s no love that can get between you.”

Roethlisberger’s quarterback brethren will be rooting him forward. They’ve been through this, becoming fathers during their careers, and they send a clear message: It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.

“This is your legacy,” said former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski. “What you’re going to leave behind is going to be these kids.”


You can read more here.

Ben sat down for an interview with Sports Director Gregg Mace of ABC 27-WHTM (Harrisburg, PA).

You can watch/listen to his interview during their 5PM, 6PM and 11PM broadcasts or check it out right here.



Ben was a guest on ESPN’s SportsCenter this afternoon.

You can watch/listen his interview here.



And he was a call-in guest on ESPN’s Mike & Mike Show this morning.

You can listen to his interview here.