Varley: “Lighting a fire”
“The second half of the season Ben had a talk with me and it really helped me a lot. It helped me to relax…I think my production went up after that talk. I was able to be more relaxed and play the game that I’ve being doing since I was a kid. He hadn’t given up on me, because in my eyes it had felt like that. When he told me that it was like a second lung. Every day he challenged me. It was like he gave me tough love. He explained things to me. And he kept believing. I appreciated it.” — James Washington.
From Teresa Varley’s interview with James Washington at Steelers.com:
A rookie season is one filled with lessons learned.
And for receiver James Washington, the biggest lesson he learned came from a play he would likely rather forget.
Against the Broncos, in a 24-17 loss, Ben Roethlisberger threw deep to Washington. Washington dove for the ball, resulting in a dropped pass. Washington knew he should have run through it, something Roethlisberger said he should have done, and something he wish he would have done.
“I’ve always been a guy that it’s my actions, it’s my bed I have to lay in it type of deal,” said Washington. “I’ll never run from my mistakes. I like to look at myself as a man and I’ll own up to my mistakes and try to correct them and do what I can do to get better.”
Getting better was delayed slightly. The following week, Washington found himself on the sideline against the Los Angeles Chargers, inactive and not having the opportunity to redeem himself.
“It stunk,” said Washington. “But you learn a lot that week because you’re sitting there watching the game, watching the guys who are playing. You see how those guys are executing in situations that you had and maybe you can take something from. That really got me. It gave me time to think about it and how I could do this better.
“It lit a fire under me. It makes you mad, but you are mad at yourself because it’s about what you do.”
Washington definitely responded. Before the Chargers game he had eight receptions for 77 yards. In the last four games of the season he had eight receptions for 140 […]
Jamin’ was JAMMIN’!!
How do you know if your son enjoyed his first concert?
Can anyone tell he’s having fun up on stage with Toby? Haha! — Ben.
Saturday Night is Family Night
The kids’ first concert. We love TobyMac. Thanks buddy – for the show & the love!
Also a BIG ‘Shout Out’ to Gabe Patillo, you are a true beast and so incredibly talented! — Ben.
Let the Royal Trumpets sound!!
We have a family birthday message for Princess Baylee:
Happy 5th Birthday! We love you so dearly and have enjoyed watching you grow so much this past year.
Whether you’re having fun at the beach or at school…
playing with your brothers or practicing your ballet, it truly has been such a blessing to watch you grow & enjoy life…
And even more of a blessing to call you OUR daughter, sister, niece & granddaughter!
Most importantly, we want to let you know how loved you are! We sure do love you Bay Bay!! — From your whole family!
Local grants announced
Today, Ben announced the final grants of the 2018-19 season from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund. The Foundation will be distributing eight grants totaling $70,000 to police K-9 programs in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.
“The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund was able to help us start our first K-9 program back around 2010. Since then, the Foundation has provided additional funding to support the program. Our K-9 ‘Ingo’ has been responsible for over $1.1 million in drug seizures over the past 8 to 9 years. Ingo is now reaching an age where he will retire by the end of March this year. The timing of this funding could not be any better due to Ingo’s retirement, who will live his retired life with his handler Sgt. Cindric. Thanks to The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, the Center Township Police Department will continue to have the tools we need in taking drugs off the streets of America.” — Chief Barry Kramer, Center Township Police Department.
The K-9 departments receiving funding from Ben’s foundation this year include the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office (above), Beaver County Sheriff’s Office, Center Township Police Department, Conewango Township Police Department, Connellsville Police Department, East Liverpool Police Department, City of McKeesport Police Department and Salineville Police Department. These departments will be utilizing their respective grants in a variety of canine-focused initiatives including the establishment of new K-9 units, replacement of retiring dogs, acquisition and updating of K-9 vehicles, purchasing of safety and training equipment, and training and certification of new and existing K-9s.
“Thanks to this grant, the Connellsville Police Department will be able to develop its first K-9 unit in approximately 40 years. Our K-9 will be available to the City of Connellsville and surrounding jurisdictions, working alongside other agencies in Fayette County, Pennsylvania to increase officer safety, combat the drug epidemic, and help forge relationships between police and the communities we serve. The Connellsville Police Department would like to thank the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation for its incredible support for our organization and others like us throughout the nation. This funding allows us to significantly enhance our law enforcement and public safety services in a timely manner.” — Patrolman James T. Garlick, City of Connellsville Police.
This announcement completes the foundation’s 12th grant […]
Dad’s birthday is always a great day…
Happy Birthday to not only the best dad and husband in the world, but one of the greatest men we know!
Keep trusting in the Lord in everything. Your faith brings us endless joy and inspiration. — Love, Ashley, Benjamin, Baylee, and Bodie.
