‘I’m going to do what I can to support Mason and the guys’
“I thought he was awesome. He didn’t just manage the game. He went out and won the game.” — Ben on Mason Rudolph’s performance on Monday Night Football.
From Ben’s interview with Ron Cook, at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Mason Rudolph received the ultimate endorsement after leading the Steelers by the Cincinnati Bengals for his first win as an NFL starting quarterback.
This was late Monday night after the Steelers trashed the Bengals, 27-3. Roethlisberger stopped on his way out of Heinz Field and made his first public comments since his elbow injury against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 15. He spoke not just about Rudolph, but about the team moving forward without him, his surgery in Los Angeles Sept. 23 and his hope to return in 2020 for his 17th NFL season.
“Absolutely, I plan on playing again,” Roethlisberger said. “That’s my absolute goal. That’s why we did the surgery. The reason we did it and did it so soon is because I want to come back. I don’t have any doubts in my head about that. If you have doubts, then you’ve already lost. It’s going to be a long road, but I’m excited for the opportunity to show I can do it.
“I want to go out on my own terms. No one wants to leave on an injury they can’t control.”
Roethlisberger watched the second half of the Seattle game from the sideline and saw Rudolph throw two touchdown passes in a 28-26 loss. He was back on the sideline Monday night — his right elbow in a cast — and saw Rudolph complete 24 of 28 passes for 229 yards, two touchdowns and a 124.6 passer rating.
“He did everything they asked him to do,” Roethlisberger said of Rudolph. “He made plays. He made big plays when we needed him to. He took a check-down when we needed him to. He threw deep when we needed him to. He even lined up at wide receiver [in the wildcat formation] when we needed him to. He did a lot more than just manage the game. I tried to help him. I told him before the game, ‘I’ll do as much or as little as you want. I’m here.’ We talked during the game. He grabbed me when we came into the locker room after the game and told me, ‘Thanks for […]
It’s a Lil’ Fan Friday
“Norma and Logan were so excited for the game and they both love Big Ben! Go Steelers.” — Wendy Hall.
“Of course I’m a Big Ben fan!! Been one ALL my life!” — Wade Andrews. Photo: Andrew Adams
My boy’s 1st season of @steelers football. Let’s do this Pittsburgh! @_BigBen7 @TeamJuJu @_TJWatt #HereWeGo
@_BigBen7 you made my second grader’s English story. He was so excited to get your autograph!
RIP K9 Steel
“My husband obtained his K9 with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office through the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation in 2016. He sadly passed away on Saturday, 09/14/19. Steel was a major part of our family. Not only was he an asset to our community but he was so loving to my husband, me and both of our young children. He was loved deeply and again, I just want to thank Ben’s foundation from the bottom of my heart.” — Maria Demirci.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of K9 Steel. [On Saturday, September 14th], we said goodbye with a final salute to our SCSO hero. Please keep his handler, Deputy Demirci, and his family in your thoughts and prayers as they mourn the loss of their K9 family member. Deputy Demirci and Steel have worked tirelessly to protect the community — from searching for dangerous criminals to finding missing persons. We will miss Steel and never forget his service to our county. #RIPSteel” — Sheriff David P. Decatur, Stafford County (VA) Sheriff’s Office.
Surgery Update
The following statement was released by Steelers Team Spokesperson Burt Lauten on Monday evening:
Ben Roethlisberger had successful surgery on his right elbow on Monday in Los Angeles at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic. Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed the procedure in consultation with Steelers Team Physician Jim Bradley, who began his career at the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic.
Once Ben returns to Pittsburgh, he immediately will begin working with the Steelers’ medical staff on his rehabilitation, and he is expected to make a full recovery and return to the field for the 2020 NFL season.
Best wishes to Ben
“My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you go through this difficult time. God Bless you.” — Brenda Hart.
@_BigBen7 Ben is my hero of the team. I will be so lost without him this year. I will honor him with my Ben jersey all season long at each game. I pray for a great surgery and speedy recovery. You will come back to us stronger than ever!
@_BigBen7 Ben will be missed and I hope he heals as painless as possible. This is a devastating season!!!
“I just want you to know, whether you come back and play or decide to move on with your life, how much you have meant to me in my life and how much joy your play has brought me. I’m 26 now and have been a Steeler fan since 2002. I have been there thru every Super Bowl, tough loss, winning playoff games, and 6 touchdown games. I’m not looking for anything or even for a thank you, I just would like to let you know how much you have brought to me and I am truly thankful to have you as a QB and as a leader of the Steelers. I wish you nothing but good health, to you and your family, and hope to see you next season. Thank you for everything Ben!! Go Steelers!!!” — Derek Jones.
@_BigBen7 In Ben we trust. God speed your recovery Ben I know you will come back stronger than ever, I know you will get another shot to the big game.
It’s another ‘Throwback Thursday’!
