“It was such an awesome honor to go to Miami”
“To be in the Hall of Fame, it’s not just me, it’s the unbelievable teammates I had that helped me along the way. We may not have the most NFL players from the MAC, but some of the best ones that have played the game have come from the MAC and I am proud of that. I am proud to say I am from the MAC, from Miami.” — Ben
From Teresa Varley at Steelers.com today:
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took part in Steelers OTAs on Wednesday, then headed to Cleveland where he was inducted into the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame as a part of the 2015 Induction Class.
Roethlisberger, who went to Miami University, is one of five individuals who received the honor at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel.
“We may be a small school, a small conference, but guys can make it and win Super Bowls, win championships. It’s such an awesome honor,” he said. “I couldn’t have done it without my coaches and teammates and I owe them a lot.”
Roethlisberger, the Steelers 1st round draft pick in 2004, completed 854 of 1,304 pass attempts for 10,829 yards and 84 touchdowns in his three seasons at Miami. His junior year, a season he said he will always remember, he threw for 4,486 yards and 37 touchdowns en route to a MAC Championship and GMAC Bowl victory.
Roethlisberger ranks first in completion percentage (.655) and touchdowns (84) at Miami, and second in pass attempts (854), completions (1,304), yards (10,829) and total offense (11,075).
“We had great football teams, great offenses, great coaches,” said Roethlisberger. “We were an NFL caliber style, pro-style offense where we threw the ball. We had great football teams and I am so fortunate to be a part of what I think is one of the best teams in college football, my junior year there.”
Roethlisberger was back at the Steelers practice facility on Thursday morning for the team’s next OTA session, something he .
“I had some friends come over and be with us for the event last night and I wanted to stay,” said Roethlisberger. “But it was important for me to be back here today with my teammates. If I can be here as much as I can it’s important to me.”
You can read more from Ms. Varley
The MAC HOF Induction in pictures!
The Mid-American Conference inducted its 2015 MAC Hall of Fame Class on this evening during the MAC Honor’s Dinner at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel.
The five inductees are Casey Cunningham (Central Michigan, wrestling), Bob Parks (Eastern Michigan, men’s cross country, men’s track and field), Gary Pinkel (Toledo/Kent State, football) and George Dales (Western Michigan, men’s cross country, men’s track and field) and our own #7, Big Ben (Miami, football):
#MACtion @MACSports
Former @MiamiRedHawks QB Ben Roethlisberger is here at the MAC Honors Dinner. Will be inducted into HOF tonight.
Patrick Ransdell @PatrickRansdell
@_BigBen7 being inducted into the @MACSports Hall of Fame. Congrats to a great Miami RedHawk.
“Wanted to share this as a proud sis.” — Carlee Roethlisberger
You can see a few more great photos here!
You can watch & listen to Ben’s interview here!
And the MAC HOF Induction in words (from the Cleveland perspective)!
From Jeff Schudel, The News-Herald & The Morning Journal:
Former Miami of Ohio quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was inducted into the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame on May 27. Appropriately the ceremony took place at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel on Public Square.
Right down the street on West Third, roughly a long touchdown pass from Roethlisberger to Hines Ward away, stands FirstEnergy Stadium, formerly Cleveland Browns Stadium.
No matter the name, Roethlisberger as quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers has owned the building the Browns call home since his rookie year of 2004. At least he did until last Oct. 12 of last year when the Browns played their best game of the season to drill the Steelers, 31-10, despite losing center Alex Mack for the season because of a broken leg.
“They asked me to come to Cleveland to do this and I said ‘absolutely,’” Roethlisberger said before festivities began. “I love coming to Cleveland.”
The game last year notwithstanding, Roethlisberger, with a record of 8-2, has won more games in Cleveland since his rookie year of 2004 than any Browns quarterback with the exception of Derek Anderson.
Take another sip of coffee and read that paragraph again.
You can read all of Mr. remaining paragraphs here.
Big Ben’s busy June
…and you are welcome to be a part of it!!
The Summer kicks off for young Steelers fans with the Giant Eagle Ben Roethlisberger Football Camp!!
Sign your youngster up now – spots on Ben’s “squad” are limited!
You’re not going to pass are you?
Dates: June 13th & 14th, 2015
Times: 09:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Place: Seneca Valley High School, Harmony, PA
Cost: $199.
*Use the code BigBen7 for $20 off the registration fee.
Each camper will receive –
• An autographed photo from Ben
• A camp team photo with Ben
• A limited edition Ben Roethlisberger Football ProCamp t-shirt
• 7 Hours of expert instruction
• Opportunity to win contests and prizes
A FUN and EDUCATIONAL experience is GUARANTEED!
*Don’t forget to use the code BigBen7 for $20 off the registration fee.
You can sign your child up for the camp here.
You can see all the great photos from Ben’s camp here.
And for older Steelers fans…
Tickets for the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation Weekend are available, but also going fast!
On Saturday, June 20th:
The BRF Weekend kicks off with the Triple 7’s event at the beautiful Treesdale Country Club in Gibsonia, PA.
The evening will feature billiards, black jack, horse racing and table games, as well as a silent auction, an open bar and lite fare.
7:00-10:30pm
Registration Opens
Table games, billiards, horse racing & a silent auction begin
Bar opens & lite fare served
9:00pm
VIP Texas Hold ‘em Tournament
10:30pm
Silent auction ends and prizes awarded
(Must be at least 21 years of age. Dress is casual, but please, no jeans)
The fun continues on the green on Monday, June 22nd!
Golfers are welcomed to the BRF Invitational, which will also feature pre-tournament competitions, chair massages and a wonderful lunch.
Specially designed on-course challenges keep the competition going, even between strokes!
The itinerary:
10:00am
Registration opens
Official Tournament Pro Shop opens
Pre Tournament competitions
Lunch
Warm up chair massages
12:30pm
One lucky participant will be chosen to putt for $5,000 (50 ft)
1:00pm
Shotgun Start
Food & beverages on the course
Additional competitions on the course
5:30pm
Anticipated finish time
Tournament food & drinks
Make your plans now to join Ben for a great time for a great cause! You can either attend as a sponsor (sponsorships start at $500), or attend as a guest ($200 per person) here. Guest tickets are limited.
Or, for just $100, you […]
Ben on Brady in Week 1: “If he’s not out there, it’s not the same”
From ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler via ABC News today:
The Patriots-Steelers matchup in Week 1 would be better off with Tom Brady involved, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said at Tuesday’s session of organized team activities.
Roethlisberger, whose Steelers have faced New England eight times since he was drafted in 2004, jokingly asked if everyone’s sure Brady won’t be in the lineup, a nod to Brady’s looming appeal of his four-game suspension for his role in the Deflategate controversy.
“He’s a guy, I’ve said for a long time, he’s the best in the business, and he proved it again last year winning his fourth [Super Bowl],” Roethlisberger said. “If he’s not out there, it’s not the same. I have a lot of respect for him on the football field and some of the unbelievable things that he’s done. I guess we’ll wait and see what’s finally going to happen.”
You can read the rest here.
You can watch a video interview with Ben from the 1st day of OTA’s here.
Memorial Day message
I want to take a moment to say Happy Memorial Day to everyone. On a day when we get off work, and we get to BBQ and picnic and have fun with family and friends, there are many men and women serving our great country who are working hard so we can relax and have fun that fun today! Please take a moment and say a prayer – not just for the brave men and women that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for us and the soldiers that are serving now, but also for the families of all those brave soldiers as well.
To all the families that are grieving today because of the loss of their loved one, please celebrate the awesome life they had, and know that so many people around the country are not only grateful, but praying for you today because of the sacrifice of your loved one!
Have a great day everyone! Have fun, enjoy your family and friends, and be thankful for the freedoms we can have because of the soldiers. And if you can today, personally thank a vet or soldier or their family for your freedoms! Be blessed everyone! — Ben & the R’bergers
Remember the reason
…for the holiday weekend!
The Wreaths Across America organization does!
Memorial Day may herald in the start of summer vacations for many, but donations are already being accepted for the 2015 Wreaths Across America Remembrance Ceremony, which is scheduled for Saturday, December 12th, 2015.
From their website:
“Our mission: Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out in part by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies a specified Saturday in December at Arlington, as well as veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. We also organize a week of events including international veteran’s tributes, ceremonies at State Houses and a week-long “Veteran’s Parade” between Maine and Virginia where we stop along the way to spread our message about the importance of remembering our fallen heroes, honoring those who serve, and teaching our children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve our freedoms.
“This week of events is made possible by thousands of volunteers who organize local ceremonies, raise funds to sponsor wreaths, and participate in the events. We receive no government funding. The cost of our programs is paid by individual wreaths sponsors, corporate donors and volunteer truckers.”
If you would like to sponsor wreaths to be placed on the graves of our military this December, now is the time!
Please answer the call once again to Honor our Fallen!
To donate & to learn how you can take part in this wonderful organization, click here.
It’s never too early to teach our youngsters, just ask Miles!
Special to BigBen7.com from Renee Worcester, Wreaths Across America Board Member:
Miles has been involved in Wreaths Across America since birth. Being the grandson of WAA founder Morrill Worcester, Miles has been brought up to honor and respect the military and their families. Miles uncle is a Major in the Marines and Miles has always had a special place in his heart for the Marine Corp.
Always outfitted in the latest cammies, jumpsuits and Marine garb, Miles wants to be a Marine when he gets older.
Miles turned six on January 15th, 2015 and when asked what he wanted […]