Mr. Arrington, a former Pro Bowl linebacker who played for the Washington Redskins for six seasons, writes a blog entitled “Hard Hits” for The Washington Post. He has made Ben the subject of his latest entry:

I’m in Buffalo for Jim Kelly’s 12th Annual Golf Outing and last evening I had a chance to hang out with old teammates like Bruce Smith and Andre Reed. I also had the chance to hang out with some new faces, but the one who stood out the most to me was Ben Roethlisberger.

I have to tell you: I’ve met him before and felt as though he was a pretty arrogant guy, but last evening my perception of him totally changed.

Ben was pleasant and I found him to be very down to earth, in an environment where men and women were were falling all over him for his attention. I’m not trying to justify the allegations against him, but I clearly saw how he could find himself in a sticky wicket of a situation. He was chased the entire evening…


You can read the rest of Mr. Arrington’s blog here.



News from the Tournament:

From WBEN (yes, that’s really the name of the television station!) –

Several players, past and present spoke to the media today during the 25th Anniversary Jim Kelly Celebrity Classic at Terry Hills Golf Course in Batavia, NY. Most of the talk centered around the NFL Lockout.

From one man still in the league to another, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger participated in the final game we’ve seen for the NFL. He’s anxious to get back in to the swing of things.

“It’s a lot of question marks,” Roethlisberger said. “It’s tough, trying to stay busy, working out with the guys and getting together and doing things like that so, just trying to keep it as regular as we can.”


You can read more here.

You can read more about the Tournament and Mr. Kelly’s Foundation at the Buffalo News here.

Tonight’s episode on NFL Network revealed that Ben was voted #41 by the players.

However, the majority reaction from the post-episode panel disagreed:

Ronde Barber – “I can’t believe there are forty guys better than him. Ben doesn’t get as much credit as he should” Then later in the program discussing Ben vs Michael Vick, “Ben Roethlisberger has been to the Super Bowl three times, he’s made a bunch of great throws in critical games. I remember watching the Green Bay game two years ago where he had four hundred and, I don’t know how many yards, and he threw that touchdown with no time left on the clock. You just can’t make that up as a quarterback, that’s legendary stuff. He has legendary performances on his resume. I think he should absolutely be ranked higher.”



Darren Sharper – “I’m pounding the table! I’m tired of them knocking Ben down. The guy’s been to the Super Bowl three times! Come on, there can’t be forty guys better than him!”


Kurt Warner – “I expected him to be a lot higher on this list.”


Michael Lombardi – “I’d liked to see the other forty players ahead of Big Ben! I mean, I agree with what everybody says. This is one of the top quarterbacks in the league. And the debate really centers on whether he’s five or six…a system quarterback he is not, but he is a play-making quarterback – there are two or three plays a game that he makes, keeping people away from him, moving around the pocket, throwing the ball down the field…he’s big, he’s physical. He’s not the ideal quarterback for every system but for what Pittsburgh does, he is outstanding!”

The other quarterbacks that are believed to be on the list in the coming episodes include Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers and Michael Vick.


You can watch a portion of the panel’s discussion here.



NFL.com‘s experts disagree with the ranking as well:


Bucky Brooks – “Roethlisberger’s résumé can’t be touched!”

Vic Carruci – “I’ll take Big Ben any time!”

Elliot Harrison – “Steeler’s strength, streetball mentality make him best!”

Pat Kirwin – “Manning, Rivers need to prove themselves. Manning should be in the top 100 in my opinion, but if I have […]

The Camp is this month and the roster is filling up fast, but there are a few spots left if your child would like to attend!


Update: The location of the Camp has changed. See *below for the new location!


It’s not too late to register your child for some football instruction and fun at Ben’s Football Camp, sponsored by ProCamps Worldwide!

According to Camp Coordinator Jake Moylan, they have just a few roster spots left but they won’t last! The Camp is open to boys and girls, ages 7-14.

Campers will participate in daily games, stations, and skill contests. Each camper will be placed on a team according to his or her age.

Individual groups will be small to assure that each camper gets maximum instruction from the top football coaches in the Pittsburgh area.

Ben will give talks highlighting the finer points of the game of football and beyond.


Parents and their guests will be able to listen to camp guests in designated areas at each location.

Some of the many Camp sponsors include High Mark , #1 Cochran Motors, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, KDKA- Channel 2, and 102.5 WDVE!

Dates: June 20-21, 2011

Time: 9:00am – 12:30pm each day

*Place: Seneca Valley High School, Harmony, Pennsylvania

Cost: $199.

Each camper will receive –

• Camp T-Shirt
• Autographed Camp team photo with Ben
• 7 Hours of expert instruction
• Opportunity to win contests and prizes


A fun and educational experience is guaranteed!


To sign up for the camp, click here.

To see photos, like the one taken above by fan Anita Doddroe, click here.


*The Camp was changed to a new location due to emergency stadium construction at Mars Area High School.

ESPN North blogger James Walker has the Sports Nation poll question of the day:

Can the Ravens beat Roethlisberger?

It’s a streak Baltimore Ravens defensive end/linebacker Terrell Suggs still can’t believe, even though he’s lived through it for the past five years.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hasn’t lost to the Ravens — Suggs’ biggest rival — since 2006. Including playoffs, Roethlisberger has won seven straight against Baltimore and is 9-2 in his career. Roethlisberger was 2-0 against the Ravens last season, which included a playoff win in the divisional round to propel the Steelers to the AFC title game and eventually the Super Bowl.


Mr. Walker wants to know what you think – will the Ravens finally beat Big Ben in 2011?

Vote here.

Earlier this week, ESPN.com’s Power Rankings listed their picks for the top offensive players, excluding quarterbacks.   Today, they listed their picks for top AFC North quarterbacks.

From ESPN‘s James Walker:

1. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Skinny: Roethlisberger is clearly the best quarterback in the division. He’s been to three Super Bowls, winning two, and is one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.

Roethlisberger played some of the best football of his career the past two seasons and is in his prime.


2. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

3. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals

4. Colt McCoy, Cleveland Browns

5. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals


For more on the rankings, click here.


*Thanks Trish!

With Big Ben’s BBQ Sauce!


UPDATE: We have a winner! Congratulations to Judy Hollifield of Chesnee, South Carolina! Thank you to everyone who took the time to send in your photos – including that Cowboys fan and a late-comer Jets fan!


The warm weather is here and it’s time to get the grill out and your Steelers grillin’ gear on!

In fact, send in a photo wearing your best Steelers fan grillin’ gear (the crazier – the better) and we will select our favorite!

The winner will receive a Big Ben’s BBQ Sauce starter kit, which includes one bottle each of Mild BBQ Sauce, Hot BBQ Sauce, Spicy Wing Sauce, Hot Sauce and a Black and Gold candle with the scent of hot apple pie.

The winner will also receive an autographed 8×10 photograph of Ben! A photo for a photo!

So grab your grilling tongs, your basting brushes, put on your apron, oven mitts, chef’s hat, or your crazy black and gold wig…and smile for the camera!

Photos will be accepted through Tuesday, May 31st at 10:00 p.m.  A winner will be selected and notified on Thursday afternoon, June 2nd.

Photos submitted will be added to a new album in the gallery entitled, “Get your grill on”. Photos that are deemed “inappropriate” or that do not follow to the grilling/tailgating theme will be excluded.

Only one winner will be selected.


Email your photos to bigben7website@gmail.com and don’t forget to send along your name and tell us where you’re from!


Good Luck!


UPDATE: Dallas Cowboys fan Al Boyd is calling Steeler Nation OUT!


If you don’t win, you can still enjoy Big Ben’s BBQ Sauce! Check out the website here.



*Thank you to Jan Banko and John Kosko.