The Steelers earned a much-needed 30-20 win from the Bengals on Sunday at Heinz Field. Ben completed 20 of his 25 passes, and Le’Veon Bell ran for 117 yards.

“I’ve said for a bunch of weeks now, there’s going to be no quit from me or from anybody. I thought tonight was a good night and a good example of that. Everybody fought hard from start to finish and I was real proud of how everyone played.” — Ben, post-game.

From John Dudley at the Erie-Times News this morning:

Ben Roethlisberger, in the midst of his best season, reached another milestone in Sunday night’s 30-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Roethlisberger broke his own franchise single-season completions record of 337 and now has the three highest single-season totals in Steelers history.

Wideout Antonio Brown, the biggest beneficiary of those throws, became only the second Steelers player with at least 95 receptions. He trails single-season leader Hines Ward, who had 112 catches in 2002.

“It’s a blessing,” Brown said of nearing Ward’s record. “I had an opportunity to see Hines today. He was really encouraging. As this thing continues to unfold, I just want to continue to excel with the team and play as a team and help us win games.”

Roethlisberger completed 20-of-25 attempts for 191 yards with one touchdown and one interceptions. He was sacked only once.


You can read more from Mr. Dudley here.

“We just wanted to come out and play as hard as we could, show we’re going to give it everything we’ve got to the end.” — Ben

From Alan Robinson, at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

The Steelers turned a succession of special teams mistakes by the Cincinnati Bengals (9-5) into a club record-tying 21-point first quarter that featured an Antonio Brown touchdown catch and 67-yard punt return score, and they beat up on their division rival 30-20 at Heinz Field.

The first-place Bengals were favored to win in Pittsburgh for the first time since 1989, but it was the Steelers who turned back the clock with a vintage performance that made their fans wonder where this had been all season.

“Cincinnati was beginning to feel good about themselves against us,” safety Ryan Clark said. “They’d won two in a row and at the end of the game in September they were fighting and talking. […]

From Teresa Varley, at Steelers.com today:

Roethlisberger is one of 32 NFL team’s “Man of the Year” award winners and qualifies for the league’s national 2013 Walter Payton Man of the Year. The award recognizes a player’s off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence. The overall winner will be announced during Super Bowl XLVIII in New York/New Jersey.

In 2006, Roethlisberger started the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, which makes grants to local police and fire departments with an emphasis on K-9 units and service dogs. The idea came when a police dog named Flip was shot and killed in the line of duty in 2006 in Roethlisberger’s hometown. Since 2007, the Foundation has made 123 grants nationwide, totaling more than $1 million to 117 police and fire departments and several youth organizations. The canine grants have funded the purchase of at least 72 dogs, the training of more than 25 additional dogs and 54 handlers and safety and training equipment, food, vet services and housing for countless more.

For his contributions, Roethlisberger became the first non-law enforcement individual to be honored by the Annual Amen Corner Senator John Heinz Law Enforcement Awards in October 25, 2013.

One of his favorite charities is Make-A-Wish. He enjoys not only being part of the wish experience but helping to make other children’s wishes come true. This year, his foundation made its second annual donation to Make-A-Wish of Greater Pennsylvania to help grant more wishes, increasing from $25,000 to $30,000.

He and his wife have participated in the annual Salvation Army Project Bundle Up shopping night, helping underprivileged children choose warm winter outerwear, and attend many of his teammate’s charity events. He also provides a holiday dinner annually for those in need. This year it was for the Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania.

He was honored with the Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania “National Champion of Youth Award” for his continued commitment to the community, particularly his work with children. He hosts an annual football camp, with many Boys & Girls Club members attending for free thanks to his generosity.


You can read more from Ms. Varley here.

for that little Steelers fan on your list?


How about a ProCamps gift package under the tree or in their stocking:

You can sign your youngster up now for the Ben Roethlisberger ProCamps Football Camp in June!

Register now through December 16th using the code HOLIDAY2014, and you’ll receive our exclusive holiday package.


Each package includes a t-shirt, personal greeting card, individualized participation certificate, and 2014 camp tuition!

The Camp is open to boys and girls, grades 1 through 8.

Ben will be joined by a selection of the top prep and college coaches from the area.

Each day, the campers will experience various stations, specializing in fundamental skills of football.

Individual groups will be small to assure that each camper gets maximum instruction.

“Took my grandson last year from the eastern shore of Maryland. We both had a terrific time !!! Looking forward to coming again this June.” – Karen Scearce

Ben will give daily talks highlighting the finer points of the game of football and beyond. Parents and guests will be able to listen to camp guests in designated areas at each location.

Kids that attend Ben’s Camp also have had the opportunity to meet and get instruction from some of Ben’s teammates too, like Brett Keisel, Charlie Batch, and don’t be surprised if Coach Tomlin makes an appearance!


Dates: June 16th & 17th, 2014

Times: 09:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Place: Seneca Valley High School, Harmony, PA

Cost: $199.

“I would like to express my thanks to Ben for hosting his camp the last 2 days! He made a dream come true for my son (and myself). I would also like to extend a very special thanks to Brenda (Ben’s mom). My son, who’s only 7, was very nervous and too scared to go on the field. Brenda was walking by and noticed us and stopped. She talked to him and then noticed her shoes were the same color as his and they compared shoes. This helped very much to eased his nerves. After that, he had the courage to go out on the field and had a wonderful time both days! Again – thank you Brenda!” — John Fasick

Each camper will receive –

• Camp T-Shirt

• Autographed Camp team photo with Ben

• 7 Hours of expert instruction

• Opportunity to win contests and prizes


A […]

“To watch the way he works, makes plays and makes the guys around him better, it’s cool to see. It’s what you like to see. That’s what your quarterback has to do. That is what he has been doing for years and makes him so special.” — Bruce Gradkowski

From Teresa Varley at Steelers.com today:

The numbers definitely tell the story when it comes to the way Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is playing right now. Roethlisberger, who was the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Month in November, has continued with the hot hand, completing 102 passes for 1,190 yards in the last four games.

“He is taking on the challenge of getting the offense better week in and week out and is flourishing right now,” said receiver Antonio Brown. “He has been spot on. Anytime he is on it everyone benefits.”

Through 13 games Roethlisberger has thrown 24 touchdown passes, with 11 of them coming in the last four games and no interceptions during that four game stretch.

“You don’t want to talk about that stuff,” said quarterback Bruce Gradkowski of a quarterback’s mentality during such a good streak. “You just want to continue playing. You just have to stay consistent and keep making plays and that is one thing he just continues to do.

“It’s great when you find the nice rhythm with your guys on the field, the receivers, the offensive line, the play caller. To be in the zone, you are having fun playing and making plays. That is one thing he has always done, make plays. It’s cool to see, he is doing a great job. He is running the show. He does a great job doing that, getting guys lined up, making the right calls, and he has been doing a great job this year.”

Gradkowski said he enjoys watching Roethlisberger, and is one of the biggest cheerleaders for the offense when he is on the sidelines.

Receiver Jerricho Cotchery, who has been a dependable target for Roethlisberger, marvels at the way his quarterback is playing.

“We use the saying ‘he’s on fire’ and that is exactly what he is right now,” said Cotchery. “He is throwing the ball really well, he sets the tempo when he gets in the huddle, and he is putting guys in the […]

This week’s Warrior Wednesday post features a young man who long-time BigBen7.com readers have come to know – Richard Culliver!

We updated you on this tough little guy and his battle with an inoperable brain tumor called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma back in September. Well, as you can see, nothing can stop Richard, who lives life to the fullest every day!

Last week, some of our Nation’s warriors, members of the South Carolina Army National Guard gave him another one of those days to remember!



On December 4th, Private Culliver visited McEntire Joint National Guard Base to be a South Carolina Army National Guard Pilot for a Day. He was given the opportunity to sit in multiple rotary wing aircraft, fly an aircraft simulator, and was honored with a set of aviator wings making him an honorary pilot…oh, and he was also awarded the Combat Infantry Medics Badge!

“I can not express adequately with words my gratitude for our service men and women and their families for selflessly serving our country! Then to allow Richard to participate on top of all that just overwhelms me with emotion! These are the faces of the men behind organizing this amazing couple days for Richard and for your taking the time to do it, I am eternally grateful!

“Richard has taken a lot of pride in his opportunity to be a part of ‘serving’ his country and especially the coins he’s collected. Definitely an experience of a lifetime!!” — Private Culliver’s mother, Stephanie.

Thank you to these men and women of our awesome military force for making this 7-year old boy’s Make-A-Wish come true!

And thank you to Sgt. Jorge Intriago for the photo!


You can check out some more great photos and a video on their Facebook page.

You can also stop by and try and keep up with Richard on his Facebook page!


How is Richard doing?

“Richard still has a tumor but it’s MUCH smaller than even at diagnosis. We are currently going through physical, occupational, and speech therapies. Hopefully, he well regain the ability to walk but only time will tell. He should be going back to school next month. There’s always the possibility that the cancer decide to grow again but for the first time in a year that’s […]

“It was disappointing to be that close at the end, but yet feeling like it shouldn’t have been that close at the end. It was definitely a tough, disappointing, frustrating loss.” — Ben

Ben called in to the Vinnie & Cook Show at 93.7 The Fan this morning for his weekly #1 Cochran Ben Roethlisberger Show while he and his family were on their way to select a Christmas tree.


Some of the highlights:

Ben threw for three touchdowns in the loss to the Dolphins, and Le’Veon Bell added 61 yards rushing. He told Vinnie & Cook that he feels that the offense is making progress –


“I’m really pleased with where this offense is. I think we’re getting better every week. Obviously we’re not winning the football games, which is our ultimate goal. But it’s hard to argue with the way the offense has been playing, the success that we feel like that we’re having.”


On any “disconnect” with using Le’Veon Bell and the running game in the second half –

“I disagree with that. I know that seems to be a hot topic right now about running the ball, but you know, we came out in the first half with a game plan, but the weather kind of dictated what the game plan was going to be. We ran the ball, we threw the ball, we had a big play to Heath in there, we had a touchdown pass. So we moved the ball well the first half. Then in the second half the weather let up and we felt like we were behind a little bit and we felt like we had to get back into the game a little faster. We threw the ball, we moved the ball. We went to a lot of no huddle with me calling the plays.

“I felt like we mixed in some run plays in there, but I don’t think by any means we got away from the run, or we didn’t want to do it and ‘it worked so well’. You know, it also worked well throwing the ball and scoring and mixing the run in here and there. In the third quarter we put up a lot of points and also in the no-huddle there were runs I mixed in […]