#ThrowbackThursday
“1, 2, 3…here comes Coach T! 78, 79, 80…”
From the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Help from the future HOFer is a phone call away
From Nick Farabaugh, SteelersNow.com:
Kenny Pickett came to the Steelers from right across the hallway at Pitt, where he played next door to Ben Roethlisberger, and while they may only have a passing connection, Roethlisberger wants to pay it forward, and said he’s willing to offer the young quarterback advice as he makes his transition to the NFL.
Pickett said the now-retired former franchise quarterback of the Steelers reached out to offer advice whenever he wanted. Not only that, but Roethlisberger made sure to let Pickett know that his number is open anytime for Pickett to call and ask for counsel.
“Ben called me up recently and that was awesome. It’s a really special thing. He said he is always there for me if I have any questions or advice. He is an unbelievable player, a Hall of Famer. He is a guy who I will definitely use as a resource these coming weeks.” — Kenny Pickett.
You can listen to his interview at Steelers rookie minicamp here.
3 years ago today: Bodie’s ‘Big Boy Bed Blues’
Even though he’s been in his “big boy” bed for months now, Bodie was having a seriously hard time with Dad “breaking” his crib yesterday! I think Mom was crying just as hard taking the picture! — Ben.
‘Ben Roethlisberger competitive spirit still burns inside’
“When Roethlisberger made the decision to hang it up after his 18-year career, one that included two Super Bowl rings and will culminate in a Hall of Fame induction soon enough, his wife Ashley Harlan knew just what to set up to celebrate his milestone birthday….Competition.”
From Martin Rogers, FOX Sports:
Ben Roethlisberger’s 40th birthday celebration was a festive scene at a Pittsburgh family restaurant, and it doubled as a retirement party of sorts, with the former Steelers quarterback having finally hung up his cleats just weeks earlier.
The place was packed with a group of Roethlisberger’s family members and closest friends, who were all aligned in their thinking. They wanted him to have a great time, they wanted him to have a great meal, and, to top it all off …
“They wanted to see him get beat at ping pong,” laughed Danny Seemiller.
There are a lot of things a newly retired NFL QB can do in the weeks and months after throwing his final pass and leaving the locker room for the last time.
Travel, golf and time spent with family are often high on the agenda, yet speak to any former QB and it won’t take long before the admission comes in. They don’t miss the crunching tackles and the grueling practices – but they do miss the thrill of competition.
And so, when Roethlisberger made the decision to hang it up after his 18-year career, one that included two Super Bowl rings and will culminate in a Hall of Fame induction soon enough, his wife Ashley Harlan knew just what to set up to celebrate his milestone birthday.
Competition.
What to get for the relentless competitor who threw for 64,008 yards and 418 touchdowns? Well, Harlan arranged for a day packed with a series of Pittsburgh sporting challenges, lining up a selection of activities that would take her husband out of his athletic comfort zone.
Staged on Feb. 19, a couple of weeks before his actual birthday, the early part of the day was spent with the Pittsburgh Penguins, as Roethlisberger got to work out on the ice with such stars as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.
Right after, it was off to PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he took part in a batting practice session with members of the […]
Imagine walking a mile…
“It has been my dream for my entire life to do art full time and completely support my family in doing so.”
“Because of the support from all of the people who interact/follow/purchase art from me it has become reality.”
“And it’s so amazing that I get to paint people like Ben and other Steeler legends that shaped such a huge part of my life!”
“My client wanted a tribute to both Ben’s early career and the later, heading-to-the-HOF Ben!” — Vincent.