Big Day for Big Ben!

“None of what the 49ers accomplished statistically during the game mattered, because in every instance Ben Roethlisberger either had an answer to negate what had just happened, or even better, he had authored something earlier that ultimately rendered what the 49ers would end up doing as nothing but statistical fluff.

“The Steelers’ 43-18 victory today at Heinz Field, Roethlisberger completed 21-of-27 (77.8 percent) for 369 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a rating of 155.8. He was magnificent in the no-huddle. He got to the running game at the right times. He spread the ball around to five different receivers, and his three touchdown passes went to three different receivers. He was 2-for-2 on two-point conversion passes. He was a critical factor in the Steelers converting 60 percent on third downs, in the offense being a perfect 5-for-5 in the red zone, and in the team building a 29-3 halftime lead. And just to make sure, on each of the Steelers’ two fourth-quarter possessions that followed 49ers touchdowns, Roethlisberger drove the Steelers to answering touchdowns that maintained the margin of their comfortable lead.

“Ben Roethlisberger is the Steelers Digest Player of the Week.” — Bob Labriola, Steelers.com.

Post-game Q&A with Ben:

Is this what you expect the offense to look like?

I hope so. Things clicked today. We did some really good things, threw the ball, ran the ball and scored in the red zone. Mostly disappointed about coming out in the second half and we had two screens that we felt could have been big plays, but weren’t. We had to punt and then we had the ball backed up.

To me, it’s frustrating because when we have a punt, we would rather just keep going and give our defense a break. We want to possess the ball and work the ball down the field. I was calling almost every single play and we were moving so fast and that’s credit to our guys and the conditioning. We didn’t possess the ball very long tonight, but we put up the points.


How difficult are you guys to defend for defenses now that you’ve got Le’Veon Bell back; just another weapon?

It’s great. I think DeAngelo has done an awesome job. I don’t think that it means […]

Ben was honored by Jerome Bettis on Friday night –

“It is great to see him involved in his charity and doing great things in the community. The one thing I wanted to instill in all of those guys when I was there was it was about the community. They do so much for us that it was important and imperative that we do things and give back to the community.” — Jerome

“To me Jerome is a hero, a guy I tried to idolize on the football field, in the community. To be honored by him means a lot to me. It means a lot to me to be so involved in the community. Doing the grants for the dogs, giving over a million dollars to police, fire, search and rescue is something that is important to me. And the Make-a-Wish visits every game are so special. Then we get the letters talking about the wishes we provide through grants and it means a lot and is special in your heart.” — Ben

From Teresa Varley at Steelers.com:

As he was thanking his teammates during his Pro Football Hall of Fame speech, Jerome Bettis called out Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

“Brother, without you saving that tackle, I still might be on the doorsteps, brother,” said Bettis, referring to a touchdown saving tackle Roethlisberger made after Bettis fumbled against the Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs during the Super Bowl XL season. “I owe you for life.”


And on Friday night, Bettis once again called out Roethlisberger, but this time for something different. This time for the work Roethlisberger does in the community.

Bettis honored his former quarterback by presenting Roethlisberger with the 2015 Humanitarian of the Year Award at the Caring for Kids Dinner benefitting Bettis’ “Bus Stops Here” Foundation at the Fairmont Pittsburgh.

“It’s great to honor a person I have seen grow up,” said Bettis. “I have seen the guy go from rookie to seasoned veteran, but I have also seen him go from a young, young man, to a husband and father.


“This is really special to get a chance to honor Ben. Not to mention that he did help me on a play or two so to be able to honor […]

We have two stories (with photos) to share from fans who wanted to thank #7:

Sami Wilhite makes another appearance on Ben’s site – Sami’s first appearance was on July 23, 2012 when we shared her photo with Ben for our training camp info post. She was back again in December of 2013 for a Steeler Nation post, and more recently, you may remember the birthday shout-out we did for her in April of this year (which included a special email from Ben when he saw it on his website).


Well, she is back with a fun story and some more great photos to share with us:

“The picture I sent you of me and Ben was from training camp in August. I was able to get his attention with the picture collage that you made for me and I was able to get him to sign it. Ben saw it and I said, ‘Thank you for the birthday email,’ and he said, ‘That was you?!’ and he signed the collage I had enlarged. I then asked him for his arm band and he actually gave it to me.

My dad and I made his Findlay helmet and I was able to get Ben to sign that too.

We now have 10 full size ‘Ben’ helmets: His throwback yellow, two Miami Redhawks, Ben’s Pro Bowl, Super Bowl 40 & 43, ‘The Renegades’ from the Batman movie, his rookie helmet, and the Speed helmet Ben is wearing now.

But the coolest thing was getting my collage signed that you made me, and also the Miami helmet we made!” — Sami


You can check out those helmets here, as well as the family’s entire Steelers collection!

*Thank you Sami!!



Also Today:

12-year old Brennen House is a life-long Steelers fan from Hagerstown, Indiana. His mom wanted to share this story with Ben and Steeler Nation:

“For three years, Brennen and his brother, Carter, have attended Ben’s ProCamps.

Their Grandparents, George and Terri Cecere of La Grange, Kentucky (also Steelers fans) have happily taken the boys on these trips to allow them these awesome experiences.

Brennen broke his arm in the beginning of May, but knew he would be getting out of his long-arm […]

…and then some!!

From Teresa Varley, at Steelers.com:

As Steelers practice ended on Friday afternoon you could see the smile on Able Saldana’s face start to get bigger and bigger. Because he knew what was about to happen. He was getting ready to meet his two favorite Steelers, Antonio Brown and Ben Roethlisberger.


What he didn’t know, though, was it wasn’t limited to just two players. As they walked off the field the players came over to Saldana in droves, shaking hands with the 17-year old, posing for pictures and signing his football and helmet…


You can read the rest (and see some more great photos) right here.

1st Pirates games for Benjamin Jr. (August 28, 2013) & Baylee (June 12, 2014):

“They are a fun team to watch. The whole city is pulling for them.” — Ben on the Pirates.

#LetsGoBucs!!!

What Ben had to say –

On Williams performance against the Patriots, which included rushing for 127 yards:

“I was obviously very happy with what he did, but we all knew what we were getting in DeAngelo. He’s a guy who puts the work in and is a great player. He’s a guy who won’t be put on a shelf once Le’Veon (Bell) comes back. He’s proven he can be a guy who can give Le’Veon breaks, and Le’Veon won’t be nervous to come out of the game because he’s got a guy who can step up behind him and do great things.”


On how Heyward-Bey and Wheaton did last game:

“I thought they did well. They both made some great plays. We are going to look back and wish we would have done some things differently. That’s myself included. Looking at it from my perspective, I thought they did a great job.”


On why Miller’s game is aging well:

“Because he’s aging well. He’s a guy that works and takes great pride in his craft. He makes sure he’s in shape and ready to go.”


On if working with Wallace for a few weeks before the regular season started helped, rather than Wallace having to step in fast like he did the last time there were injuries at center:

“That’s why I think a bigger deal was made of it to the outside world. Cody has been here and is part of the group. We’ve taken many snaps. I wasn’t worried about Cody and I think it showed. Cody played a great game.”



What did Ben have to say about Sunday’s game against the 49er’s?

You can watch & listen here.



Also Today:

What some defensive players had to say about Ben –

They practice against him daily, so they might know him better than any defensive players in the NFL. So, what do Ben Roethlisberger’s teammates think makes Ben, Ben.


Linebacker James Harrison

“His ability to put the ball anywhere and the ability to get away from would be pursuers and make tackles.”


Linebacker Sean Spence

“His ability to extend a play. His ability to identify the defense’s hand. If you show your hand to him too early you are going to be in trouble. He is […]