A tribute to Pearl
“Pearl was born and raised in New Ken (Kensington) and moved to the Dallas, Texas area to be close to me and my sister in 2004″, says Linda. “She has remained a die-hard Steelers fan, even in the heart of ‘Cowboys country’! Each Sunday, she dons her Roethlisberger jersey and watches the game at home if it’s broadcast locally. Otherwise, Pearl and I often visit a nearby sports bar to watch the game.” — Linda Lacinski, from that post on November 26th, 2013.
At the visitation at the funeral home, I had several people ask about her post on Ben’s site. Steelers fans are something special.
Pearl loved spending time with her family, whether it was a simple backyard cookout, a large family Thanksgiving dinner, or a special occasion like a Steeler football game.
Pearl donned her #7 jersey and positioned herself in front of her TV for every game she could while living in the Dallas, Texas area. A few local sports bars welcomed Pearl when games weren’t broadcast nationally.
She was the cutest Big Ben fan in the place!
While she may now be in heaven with her husband of 55 years, you can be sure she’s already requested a front row seat to see Big Ben and the rest of the Steelers take on the Patriots in the first game of the season.
She’ll be wearing her #7 jersey that she took with her (upon her request, we placed her favorite jersey in her casket to take with her to heaven), as well as her beautiful smile.
Pearl was a kind, thoughtful, and fun mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend to many. She will be missed.”
7 + 99 + 86 + 95 + 82
= STEELERS FAN HEAVEN…in Virginia!!
Plan now to take a trip to the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, VA for the Collector’s Showcase of America Summer Show on Saturday, July 11th & Sunday, July 12th!
Scheduled to sign autographs:
– Current and former Steelers Big Ben (Saturday), Brett Keisel (Sunday), Hines Ward (Sunday), Jarvis Jones (Saturday) and HOF’er John Stallworth (Sunday).
*AND just added this afternoon: Rocky Bleier (Saturday)!
– Sports fans will also have the opportunity to meet and get autographs from other NFL & NHL greats of the game Dick Butkus (Saturday), Emmitt Smith (Saturday), Bo Jackson (Saturday), Marcus Allen (Saturday), Tony Dorsett (Sunday), Deion Sanders (Sunday), Dino Ciccarelli (Saturday), Mike Bossy (Saturday) and more!
This is a well-organized show and attended by many. In fact, one quick stroll through the parking lot and you’ll think you’ve been transported to Pittsburgh South.
You can see the full list of athletes, past & present, as well as ticket and lodging information here.
Ben was last there in 2012 and had a great time!
“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 […]