Ben stops by the ATA Trade Show
The ATA (Archery Trade Association) held their show in Columbus, Ohio this week and had a visit from #7 today:
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger stopped by the ATA Trade Show Thursday afternoon to check out what was new from archery and bowhunting manufacturers.
He also paused often for pictures with Show attendees and signed autographs.
Roethlisberger, an avid bowhunter, said he’s able to make some rounds on the Show floor in-between photos and autograph signings. “There’s way too much to miss so, yeh, I do get around a little so I can see what’s new at this Show.”
There’s also the conundrum that is two conflicting seasons: the heart of bow season overlaps the heart of football season.
“Hunting is relaxing so it works that it’s during the football season,” Roethlisberger said. “I use bowhunting to unwind on my days off. With bowhunting, I can clear my head.”
Check out the ATA’s website here.
Ben also stopped to pose for a photo with the “Gorilla Girls” from the Gorilla Tree Stands company.
You can see the photo on their Facebook page.
Messages from Steeler Nation…
…have been pouring in via email and the website’s Facebook page for Ben and his team. Here are a just a sample of the many received:
“There isn’t a Quarterback in the NFL that would have played injured like you have been Ben! You’re one of a kind and that is why the Steelers are America’s Team.” — Margaret Swartz-Wolfe
“Thank you to the whole team for fighting like the tigers even with all your injuries. You never gave up and there is no QB like you Ben. You fought hard. Steelers, you showed them til the end they have to fear you guys. Proud of you guys. Go Steelers!!!” — Mohamed Abdul
“Get well Ben, thanks for a great season. In good times or bad times Steelers, simply the best!!!” — Alejandro Escutia-Navarro, Mexico City, Mexico
“Tough game Ben…like you said we will be great and there is alot more football to come! Rest up and get well. Your going to be so busy with the team and getting ready for the fall. Keep styling too…you looked so adorable and handsome in that suit and hat! That is the memory I will keep in my mind from this season! No numbers wins or rings can match your heart!!! I am so proud of you. We love you and wish you all the love your heart can hold…Go on a honeymoon now!!!! Enjoy life….it will soon be August!!!” — Love, your Utah fan Mary Rafail and family
“Ben good job I’m proud of you guys, now what am I to do? Can’t wait to see you next season. STEELER 4 LIFE!!” — Pamela Scullark
“Ben!!! We are very proud of you & your hard work! Steelers’ players are the best! Whatever we lose or win, we’ll always love our team, always support & always be there rain or shine! We ♥ our Big Ben!” — Pwint Aung, Charleston, WV
“Wouldn’t replace you for anyone – not Brady, Manning, Rodgers, or Brees. None of ’em got the toughness you do. None of them care about their team as much as you do. You’re a beast Ben. Take us to the Super Bowl next year.” — Tyler […]
Ben: “It’s hard to put into words right now”
Post-game:
The Steelers (12-5) lost to the Broncos tonight despite Ben rallying the injury-depleted Steelers from a two-touchdown halftime deficit with 10 points in the final 10 minutes.
“Any loss stings for me,” said Ben during his post-game press conference. “This one’s no different. It’s hard to put it into words right now. It’s a frustrating thing.”
Pittsburgh called tails for the overtime coin toss, and it came up heads. They were nearing field goal range in the final minute of regulation but the Broncos sacked Ben three times on that final drive, forcing a fumble that he recovered.
“We were moving it and we had a shot,” Ben said. “Someone got, it felt like a finger, on the ball and knocked it out. After that, you’re trying to throw a 70-yard Hail Mary and that’s hard.”
Ben finished 22 of 40 for 289 yards with a TD and an interception.
Quotes of the Evening:
“I feel for Ben Roethlisberger. The guy played a courageous game on a sore ankle, escaping the pocket to make a sensational throw to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. It was vintage Big Ben, the right play at the right moment, and I’m convinced somehow, some way, he would have done it again had he gotten the chance in OT. Only he didn’t.” — Clark Judge, CBS Sports Senior NFL Columnist.
“Weekend Warrior: Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Ignoring his physical pain, knowing he could pay a price later in life, Big Ben limped though a fierce pass rush – he took five sacks – to complete 22 of 40, for 289 yards.” — Monte Poole, The Sacramento Bee.
On a positive note…
Ben’s Post-Season Stats:
– He recorded the second most passing yards (289) in a postseason game in his career (337 vs. Jacksonville, 1/5/08).
– He became the second player in franchise history with 3,000 passing yards in the postseason (Terry Bradshaw: 3,833). Ben now has 3,150 passing yards in the postseason. He is the 13th player in NFL postseason history to throw for over 3,000 yards.
You can read more post-game news at Steelers.com
Foundation update
On October 20th, The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation distributed a grant to the Avondale Police Department, in Avondale, AZ, just outside of Phoenix where the Steelers played the Cardinals on Sunday, October 23rd.
Today, the Police Department announced what they did with their grant – a new bite suit, a ballistic vest and two portable kennels for the unit’s two dog teams: Officer Tony Fernandez and Ranger and Officer James Sinohui and Ringo!
“It (the equipment) protects them from weapons and when they’re contacting or pursuing possible armed suspects, and it increases the proficiency and safety for not only the K-9 but the handler as well,” Sgt. Todd Love said.
The new equipment will ensure that both dogs have a ballistic vest, that each officer’s truck has a vault and that both officers have a portable kennel for their dog. The vaults are important because they keep the contents away from the dogs and allow the officers to operate independently, Love said.
The grant included money for training. The department sent Fernandez and Ranger to California last month for three days of training on dealing with stress while on calls, transferring training to reality and resolving tactical dilemmas. It is looking for training for Sinohui and plan to send him and Ringo.
You can read more here.
You can read more about Ben’s foundation here.
Thoughts and Prayers…
to Steelers Running Backs coach Kirby Wilson and his family!
Coach Wilson suffered serious injuries during an early-morning fire at his home. He is currently being treated at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh.
Coach Wilson has been with the Steelers organization since 2007. He has 23 years of coaching experience at both the collegiate and professional levels, including two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2004-06) and two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002-03) – both as a running backs coach.
Please go to Steelers.com to read their statement on Coach Wilson.
Tough on Tebow
During interviews with the media this week, Ben has spoken about how tough it must be for Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow to deal with the non-stop media coverage he has received this season.
Today was no different. While speaking with the Denver media this morning, the subject came up again:
“I don’t think Tim calls up ESPN and says, ‘Hey, put me on every day, and make it the Steelers vs. Tebow,'” said Ben. “It’s probably tough for him to deal with that stuff.
He continued, “Every time you turn it on, you see something about Tebow. I can only imagine what it’s like for his teammates. Just watching today, it’s the Steelers versus Tim Tebow. No, it’s the Steelers versus the Broncos, so I can only imagine what it’s like for him with all the eyes and the attention on him and the pressure. It can’t be fun. I feel for him a little bit.”
You can read more here.
Also Today:
Congratulations to Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey and safety Troy Polamalu – both selected to the 2011 Associated Press All-Pro Team!
You can see the rest of the team here.