‘Ben Roethlisberger competitive spirit still burns inside’
“When Roethlisberger made the decision to hang it up after his 18-year career, one that included two Super Bowl rings and will culminate in a Hall of Fame induction soon enough, his wife Ashley Harlan knew just what to set up to celebrate his milestone birthday….Competition.”
From Martin Rogers, FOX Sports:
Ben Roethlisberger’s 40th birthday celebration was a festive scene at a Pittsburgh family restaurant, and it doubled as a retirement party of sorts, with the former Steelers quarterback having finally hung up his cleats just weeks earlier.
The place was packed with a group of Roethlisberger’s family members and closest friends, who were all aligned in their thinking. They wanted him to have a great time, they wanted him to have a great meal, and, to top it all off …
“They wanted to see him get beat at ping pong,” laughed Danny Seemiller.
There are a lot of things a newly retired NFL QB can do in the weeks and months after throwing his final pass and leaving the locker room for the last time.
Travel, golf and time spent with family are often high on the agenda, yet speak to any former QB and it won’t take long before the admission comes in. They don’t miss the crunching tackles and the grueling practices – but they do miss the thrill of competition.
And so, when Roethlisberger made the decision to hang it up after his 18-year career, one that included two Super Bowl rings and will culminate in a Hall of Fame induction soon enough, his wife Ashley Harlan knew just what to set up to celebrate his milestone birthday.
Competition.
What to get for the relentless competitor who threw for 64,008 yards and 418 touchdowns? Well, Harlan arranged for a day packed with a series of Pittsburgh sporting challenges, lining up a selection of activities that would take her husband out of his athletic comfort zone.
Staged on Feb. 19, a couple of weeks before his actual birthday, the early part of the day was spent with the Pittsburgh Penguins, as Roethlisberger got to work out on the ice with such stars as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.
Right after, it was off to PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he took part in a batting practice session with members of the […]
Imagine walking a mile…
“It has been my dream for my entire life to do art full time and completely support my family in doing so.”
“Because of the support from all of the people who interact/follow/purchase art from me it has become reality.”
“And it’s so amazing that I get to paint people like Ben and other Steeler legends that shaped such a huge part of my life!”
“My client wanted a tribute to both Ben’s early career and the later, heading-to-the-HOF Ben!” — Vincent.
Our Mother’s Day message
“Momma, you’re the best mom ever! Thank you for always being there for us – from helping with homework to making us breakfast, or just relaxing with us at night. We love you so much!” — Benjamin, Baylee & Bodie.
“Ashley, Mom, Nana, GG, Carlee, Susan & Becky: Happy Mother’s Day to the Moms in our lives and thank you for making our lives so much better and easier. I know we don’t always show it, but we are so thankful for y’all and love y’all so much!
Also, Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there.” — Ben.
“Fore” a good cause!
Getting hit by D lineman probably doesn’t hurt as much as David making fun of my golf game. Lol! — Ben. ⛳️
It’s a Fan Friday!
“Channeling her inner Cowher Power face!” — Dad Vincent Candelore, Jr.
“Here is my son representing Steelers Nation on his deployment overseas. He is going into his 2nd in the Air Force and is from South of Buffalo NY. Hoping he will be home in November and I can get him to a game.” — Dad Todd Lawson.
To come from Scotland 🏴 and to be on the pitch @heinzfield stadium for @_BigBen7 last game at home for the @steelers v @Browns was truly a special moment in my life! I’ve been going since 1997 and seen bens 1st and last game at home @NFLUK @neilreynoldsnfl @Jeff_Reinebold pic.twitter.com/f80x5smmaP
— Stewart Love 🏴🏈 (@stewartloveNFL) May 2, 2022
“Just love my Steelers and Ben has always been my favorite player. Was like a member of our household, as corny as that sounds. My sons grew up on him and he’s all they know as a Steelers Quarterback. They are 22 and 20 years old. 18 years is a long time. So proud and happy for Ben. Sad to see him go though.” — Derrick.
‘Faith journey helped Roethlisberger mature’
From Stuart Sudak, Eden Prairie Local News (eplocalnews.org):
Football brought Ben Roethlisberger fame and fortune at a young age. But, it was rediscovering his faith later in his career that completed him.
After becoming the youngest quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl in 2005, the star athlete known as “Big Ben” received many honors and attaboys tossed his way.
Somewhere along the way, Roethlisberger admits drifting away from his faith.
“I was down low and realized that I need something more,” he said.
His parents baptized him as a baby. But in 2018, he decided to be rebaptized “for himself.”
“It just made me feel full again,” he said.
Talking about their spiritual journeys
Roethlisberger, who announced his retirement after 18 seasons with the Steelers in January, talked candidly about his faith with Tony Dungy, the former football coach turned author and broadcaster, at Grace Church in Eden Prairie on April 23.
Both were in town for “Arise With The Guys,” the annual men’s only event hosted by the church in partnership with Dungy, Athletes in Action and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
About 4,000 men filled Grace Church, with thousands more watching online, to see Dungy and Roethlisberger share their messages of faith, Godly values and legacy building.
2022 Uncommon Award Winner
The morning’s highlight was Roethlisberger, first being honored as the event’s 2022 Uncommon Award Winner and then throwing passes across the stage to three lucky boys pulled from the crowd.
Dungy has given out the Uncommon Award at “Arise With the Guys” since 2013 to honor athletes who are never afraid to follow a higher calling or set a higher standard. Past recent recipients include Dabo Swinney, Ben Utecht, Case Keenum, and Peyton Manning.
According to Dungy’s 2009 book, “Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance,” Stoll told him and other players: “Success is uncommon, therefore not to be enjoyed by the common man. I’m looking for uncommon people.”
As an athlete, Dungy said Roethlisberger is uncommon for only playing for one team during his long career and quarterbacking a team to two Super Bowl wins.
But, Dungy stressed just how much Roethlisberger matured as a person over his career. Dungy said Big Ben learned that life isn’t all completions and Super Bowl rings.
“It’s more than that and it’s serving the Lord,” Dungy said.
Roethlisberger […]