Ben was recently made aware of a very special fan that is fighting cancer. Julia Pollock was in the hospital for 52 days before being recently released and is now recuperating at home. Ben sent her a short video message he made from his kids football camp in the hope it would lift her spirits.

Julia’s family wanted Ben’s fans to see how much it meant to her.




*If you can’t see the video here, you can watch it here.



Julia’s reaction to his videotaped message:




*If you can’t see the video here, you can watch it here.


From Julia herself:


Hello my name is Julia Pollock.

I battled breast cancer in 2010. In January 2011 I thought I had won the battle, but unfortunately I had not. The cancer is now in my spine and affecting my brain. They say it is terminal. I’m 38 hrs old and refuse to accept that. I still have so much I need to do.

I want Ben to know that his video email meant the world to me not just because I bleed black and gold and watching him every Sunday makes my week but because I’ve ALWAYS known him to be a man with a good heart. When I received the message I was in the hospital and I swear that was the moment I realized I had to fight like I was playing those dumb Ravens in a playoff game. Lol. After 52 days bed ridden in the hospital I am home with my family in Brighton,CO. I’m getting stronger everyday. I guess you could say this is my training camp.

I worked at a hardware store in Steamboat Springs, CO. We employee 45 or so employees. When they all saw the video message they reacted as I did with one exception. They all turned to Steeler Nation or better yet Ben Nation. Every Saturday at work I dress in my jersey for pre-game day. I’ve done this for 6 years. I have had to endure a lot from all my friends and customers. I never would have thought that one genuine and heart felt message could change all of their minds and that they are using words like classy, stand up, awesome and great guy when using Ben in a sentence. […]

“I have been playing here for nine years. I love being involved with the community. It’s home to me now. To be able to reach out and do something like this, to have people come out and have fun, is great.” — Ben























The Roethlisberger Family: Ken, Brenda, Ben, Ashley, and Carlee smile for the camera at Jergels Rhythm Grille last night!


You can see more, courtesy of Steelers.com here.

*Thank you to Teresa Varley!

…included both a silent auction and a live auction with proceeds benefiting The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, which supplies police and fire agencies throughout the country with K-9’s and rescue dogs, and The Make-A-Wish Foundation!

Teammates Brett Keisel, Heath Miller, James Harrison, and Charlie Batch were there to lend a hand, as was ESPN’s Merril Hoge.





















Ben and WDVE‘s Randy Baumann pose with Officer James Kuzak at Ben’s Fundraiser tonight at Jergels Rhythm Grille. On April 4th 2011, Patrolman Jim Kuzak and fellow officers of the Clairton Police Department answered a home invasion call in the City of Clairton. Upon arrival, Officer Kuzak was shot five times and critically wounded by two suspects as they fled the scene.

Sustaining gunshot wounds to the chest, arm and side which severely injured his lung and spine, Officer Kuzak is recovering from his injuries as he begins a journey down a very long road to rehabilitation and recovery.


You can read more about Officer Kuzak’s road to recovery here.

You can see more photos from the event here.

*Thank you to Teresa Varley and Steelers.com for the photo!



Tonight’s event was also about the children….

“I love the kids. I don’t think that is a secret. For them to have a wish to hang out with me and to be able to grant that is awesome.” — Ben, on the Make-A-Wish program.

Steelers.com‘s Teresa Varley was in attendance this evening at Ben’s first-ever Foundation fundraiser:

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger loves the joy he can bring to a child who he meets through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a child who is battling through tough circumstances but can leave that all behind when they meet their favorite football player.

Now Roethlisberger is finding a new way to help those kids, by not just giving of his time to grant wishes, but also providing financial assistance to help make the wishes possible.

Roethlisberger hosted his first annual Ben Roethlisberger Foundation fundraiser on Sunday night at Jergel’s Rhythm Grill, with proceeds benefitting Make-A-Wish and K-9 Police and Fire Units.

You can see how much he loves the Make-A-Wish moments when he meets the kids, many suffering from serious diseases but despite it all smiling with excitement when they meet him.

Nobody […]

…is Sunday evening, July 8th at Jergels Rhythm Grille!


The event not only benefits Ben’s Foundation, but also the Make-A-Wish® Foundation as well.

Those attending will be rockin’ to 80’s cover band, Flashback Heart Attack, enjoy a strolling dinner, and a fabulous live and silent auction – including the chance to bid on a dinner with Ben, Brett Keisel, Mike Tomlin and Merril Hoge! WDVE‘s Randy Baumann will be the emcee for the festivities!

Ben was a call-in guest on the WDVE Morning Show earlier this week to talk about his Foundation event, which you can listen to here!

Hope to see you there!!


*If you are unable to attend, but would like to make a donation, please click here.



Thank you!!!

To Sue Pollard and the members of Steelers Universe for sending a $250 donation to The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation!

The donations were made in memory of their founder and administrator, Marianne, who passed away in April after a long battle with cancer.


Thank you so much Steelers Universe!!

And enjoying a night out at Heinz Field for the Brothers of the Sun Tour featuring Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw!






























Honored to be with 2 of my heroes and the best that ever played! At a concert with Jim Kelly and Dan Marino! — Ben


You can see more of Ben’s photos in his gallery here.


Update: The Brothers of the Sun Tour played a sold-out show at Heinz Field. This is the sixth time out of six shows that Kenny Chesney has sold out at that particular venue since 2005. In recognition of that achievement, the Rooney family presented Kenny with a cast-iron Six for Six plaque.

Ben continues to be one of the most popular guys in the airport this off-season!

























Gina Huss met Ben on her way to Dublin last week by way of the Atlanta Airport:

There were 6 of us (all born and raised in Pittsburgh!) going on a trip to Europe where we would be visiting Ireland, Wales, England, and France.. For 2 of us, it was our senior trip! We had a layover in Atlanta and then would be flying from there into Dublin airport. So there we were just hanging out in the Atlanta airport eating frozen yogurt when our adult chaperone came running over to us flailing her arms and freaking out because she just saw Big Ben with some friends at the nearby restaurant! Naturally all being from Pittsburgh, we approached him calmly and told him we were from Pittsburgh and wondered if we could take some pictures with him.

He was so nice to us and took pictures with all of us! He asked where we were going and one of his friends even knew the school district we were from! It was very cool to also find out that he was going to be on our flight to Dublin and that he was going golfing in Scotland!

To add to the already exciting meeting, when we boarded the plane and passed by him in first class, he acknowledged us as the “Pittsburgh senior trip crew” and raised his glass to us and told us to have lots of fun! We were absolutely mindblown! It was a very cool way to start off our European trip!


*Thank you Gina!! Enjoy the rest of your trip!


You can see more fan photos and read their stories here.