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April 24, 20041408 views• 1:57 p.m.: Pittsburgh is on the clock. “We see Ben Roethlisberger on the phone,†ESPN announces for the television audience. Sure enough, it’s Steelers coach Bill Cowher calling to tell Ben the Steelers are going to choose him with the No. 11 pick.
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April 24, 20041106 views• 12:25 p.m.: NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue announces that the San Diego Chargers have selected Eli Manning with the No. 1 pick. Eli emerges from stage right and is greeted by unwelcoming chants by the Chargers fans in attendance.
• 12:58 p.m.: NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue announces that the New York Giants have selected NC State quarterback Philip Rivers with the No. 4 pick. Soon thereafter the trade with the Chargers is announced – Eli Manning is headed to New York, Philip Rivers to San Diego. Both fanbases seem pleased with the outcome.
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Ben during the 2004 NFL Combine1362 viewsFrom Sports Illustrated's slideshow entitled, "Famous Combine, Draft Stories" posted February 20, 2009:
In 2004, Big Ben entered the draft as a junior and did not have the benefit of postseason All Star Games. His draft grade was heavily reliant on the combine and he did not perform well. He was inaccurate with his passes throughout his workout and as a result became the third quarterback chosen in the '04 draft.
From an article on the NFL Combine by SI writer Don Banks the same day:
There are plenty of hesitations within the league when it comes to expecting early results from a highly rated junior quarterback, and the track record of such picks is less than comforting. Yes, Ben Roethlisberger was the exception to the rule in 2004. But for every Big Ben -- and there's only one -- there have been an Alex Smith, a Tim Couch, a Ryan Leaf, a Heath Shuler or an Andre Ware.
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Ben, 200418091 viewsThank you to Dot for the photo!
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Draft Day1506 viewsEli Manning and Ben are introduced prior to the start of the NFL Draft.
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Draft Day1200 viewsEli Manning (right) and Roy Williams arrive at Madison Square Garden in New York for the NFL Draft. Behind them are Ben and DeAngelo Hall.
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Draft Day - April 24, 20041671 viewsBen holds up a Pittsburgh Steelers jersey after being selected 11th overall in the first round at the NFL draft Saturday, April 24, 2004 in New York. MU Coach Terry Hoeppner and his wife (left) accompanied Ben and his family to New York.
"Judging by body language, I think he is really happy," Ben's father, Ken said on Draft Day. "They have great receivers and most important, they have a great program. I think it worked out well."
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Draft Day - April 24, 20041349 viewsBen holds up a Pittsburgh Steelers jersey after being selected 11th overall in the first round at the NFL draft Saturday, April 24, 2004 in New York.
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Draft Day, 20041455 viewsScreen capture: Still waiting for the results...
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Draft Day, 20041662 viewsScreen capture: Ben stands wth ESPN's Suzi Kolber as his agent takes a phone call.
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Draft Day, 20041311 viewsScreen capture: The camera captures Ben's face as he awaits his turn as pick number 10 in the first round is selected.
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Draft Day, April 20041777 views
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