Ben & the Steelers agree to terms on a new contract
“There is no question Ben has grown over the years and truly has become a leader of our team.” — Art Rooney II
“It’s home. It’s family. As much as my wife and kids are family, so is the Rooney family and my team and coaches.” — Ben, on why he wanted to stay with the Steelers.
From Bob Labriola this evening:
Corny, maybe, but it was a family affair late in the afternoon on a Friday the 13th at the Steelers practice facility.
On hand were Ben Roethlisberger and his family – wife Ashley, son Ben Jr., and daughter Baylee – and the news conference was called to mark the occasion of the team’s franchise quarterback remaining a part of the Steelers family through the 2019 NFL season.
Just minutes before Steelers President Art Rooney II walked to the podium with a big smile on his face, Ben Roethlisberger officially had signed a new five-year contract that binds him to the team through the 2019 NFL season.
“We are excited to announce today that we’ve agreed on a new contract, a five-year deal,” said Rooney. “We are looking forward to the future, and we certainly know that Ben has a number of great years ahead, and he will continue to lead our team. Right now, as you all know, he owns most of our (passing) records, but there are still a couple of important records that we are going after in the next few years.”
Roethlisberger turned 32 on March 2, which means he will be 37 when this contract is set to expire. Entering his 12th NFL season in 2015, Roethlisberger will have played 16 NFL seasons come the conclusion of the 2019 season, all of them with the Steelers, the team that selected him on the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft.
“It’s kind of hard to contain my smile when I’m excited to be at a place like this, to be home, and to be able to be here for my whole career,” said Roethlisberger. “I know most of you have heard me say for a long time that this is where I have always wanted to be and where I have wanted to spend my whole career. This organization has given me an opportunity to do that. I just feel […]
Congratulations to Ben!
Named to the 2015 MAC Hall of Fame.
From the Miami Redhawks official page today:
The Mid-American Conference announced today the 2015 MAC Hall of Fame Induction Class as five new members will be inducted in the MAC Hall of Fame on Wednesday, May 27 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), Ben Roethlisberger (Miami, football), Gary Pinkel (Toledo/Kent State, football) and George Dales (Western Michigan, men’s cross country, men’s track and field).
“It is only appropriate for our Conference to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of our former student-athletes, coaches and administrators, specifically these five individuals, and their achievements during their time competing in the Mid-American Conference,” said Dr. Jon Steinbrecher, MAC Commissioner. “We are honored to welcome them to the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame.”
“The Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame is a testament to the achievements of those that have competed and served in this great Conference,” added Steinbrecher.
MAC Bio: Ben Roethlisberger, Miami (football) –
Ben Roethlisberger has won a pair of Super Bowls as the starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers after being selected in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. With the Steelers he has thrown for 39,057 yards and 251 touchdowns, while earning three Pro Bowl appearances and earning NFL Rookie of the Year in 2004.
Just this past season he set an NFL record for passing yards (522) in a game and set another NFL record with 12 passing touchdowns combined in two games.
In his time at Miami, Roethlisberger completed 854-of-1,304 pass attempts for 10,829 yards and 84 touchdowns from 2001-03. His junior campaign was one for the ages, throwing for 4,486 yards and 37 touchdowns, leading Miami to 12-consecutive wins, including a Mid-American Conference Championship and GMAC Bowl victory.
That season alone, he captured third-team All-America honors and was just the third player in Miami history to garner the Vern Smith Award as the Mid-American Conference Most Valuable Player. Roethlisberger to this day still ranks first in Miami history in completion percentage (.655) and touchdowns, and is second in pass attempts, completions, yards and total offense (11,075).
Tickets are available for the MAC Honor’s Dinner on Wednesday, May 27 at 6:00 pm […]
Ready for baseball?
Pirates baseball?
It may be quiet at PNC Park right now, but the Home Opener is only a month away – on April 13th! Of course it’s never to early to yell, “GO PIRATES!!”.
Beautiful photograph compliments of Dave DiCello!
It’s a Warrior Wednesday
…and we’ve compiled a few favorite photos of our Steeler Nation Warriors:
“I want to take a minute to say thank you to all the troops both here, and all over the world for their selfless service to this country and the people. Too often we take for granted the freedoms that these troops give to us. Thoughts and prayers from me and my family go out to all the soldiers and all their families, especially the ones that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. God bless you, and we love you all. Stay safe!” — Ben
You can see all our Warriors right here.
“Brett Keisel has left an indelible mark on the Pittsburgh Steelers”
From Scott Brown, at ESPN.com:
Keisel is one of the last survivors from the defenses that led the Steelers to a pair of Super Bowls in a four-season span and served as a bridge to the dynastic teams that won four world championships from 1974-79.
The 2002 seventh-round draft pick developed into one of the better 3-4 ends in the NFL and thrived, despite playing a position that doesn’t get a lot of glory while on a defense brimming with star power.
Keisel became beloved by fans as much for his steady play as for the persona that started when he grew a beard thick enough to catch Steelers’ owner Dan Rooney’s attention. It happened in 2010, when Keisel decided to stop shaving while the Steelers made their run to a third Super Bowl in six seasons.
Rooney had been serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland when he saw Keisel’s beard on a visit to Pittsburgh. He basically asked Keisel what in the name of Grizzly Adams he was doing, and Keisel offered to shave. Rooney, however, bemusedly signed off on the beard, and it became its own entity. It now has multiple Twitter accounts and has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Few Steelers players did it better or longer than Keisel, on and off the field.
You can read more here.
Postcards from Camp
It may be snowy and cold now, but warm weather will be here before you know it….
and so will The Giant Eagle Ben Roethlisberger Football Camp!
The question is: Do you want to miss ALL THIS FUN?
Big Ben is EVERYWHERE! He coaches, he passes, he runs & he has a great time!
Look out for the Look-A-Likes!
On the left Troy Polamalu look-a-like Dylan Vasquez works on his “Game Face”. On the top right is DaBearded father, Ricky Prince enjoying himself at camp. Bottom right is a future Antonio Brown!
And an appearance from Benjamin, Jr.
“Okay Pops, but if I could just play a little football with the other kids it would keep me out of trouble out here…just sayin’.”
In fact, Ben’s camp is always a family affair:
On the left Ashley and Baylee take it all in from the sidelines. In the middle Ken stops to take a photo with young camper Garrett Candelore. On the right a “mom conference” between Ashley, Brenda and Michelle Bishop.
You never know who you might see from America’s favorite team either!
Charlie Batch, Coach Tomlin, Brett Keisel, Kelvin Beachum and David DeCastro have all come out to support #7.
At the end of the day, you can be sure your camper will have had a great time!
One they’re sure to talk about non-stop…after they wake up! Zzzzzzzzzz!
Make sure you don’t miss the fun:
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!
Spots are limited, so participants are encouraged to register early. 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 […]