Ben Roethlisberger - Official Blog

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Ben Featured at the ESPYS - Vote Now!

Ben Roethlisberger was nominated for The 2006 ESPYS in the "Best Record Breaker" category.

Winners are determined by a popular vote and polls are open from June 26 through July 9 at www.espys.tv.

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Ben's College Coach on Super Bowl Experience

Ben's college coach, Terry Hoeppner, now at Indiana University, took a moment to write-up his thoughts, post-Super Bowl:

"Back in Bloomington (Ind.) after my first Super Bowl.  Watching Ben play in his first Super Bowl was an incredible experience.  From a coach's perspective, it was a good defensive game by both teams.  Both the Steelers and the Seahawks had extra time to prepare and they both said you're not going to do what you did to get here offensively. 

"We call that making them beat you 'left-handed.' The Seahawks were able to contain the Steelers running game (except for one play) and play Cover 2 which made it difficult for Ben to make the throws he has been making in recent weeks. 

"I don't want to get too technical, but that is a simplified version of what Ben and the offense was up against.  Of course when Ben scrambles, stops before he crosses the LOS and heaves it to Hines at the 3 yard line, it doesn't matter what coverage you are in--and Steeler fans have many years to enjoy plays just like that.  I saw him do it for three years at Miami and that ability to make plays that no one else can make separates him from the rest of the QB's in the NFL.

"The post Super Bowl party back at the team's hotel was a chance for the players and their families to relax and really enjoy what had just happened.  World Champions! 

"For Ben, the youngest QB to win a Super Bowl.  That could be a mark that stands for a long time.  I appreciate Ben for including me in his family.  I know he'll always be a part of mine.  Go Steelers!  Go #7."

- Coach Terry Hoeppner

The Roethlisberger Family in Detroit

The family taking in the pre-game festivities in Detroit:

SATURDAY

The game is just around the corner, so I'll have to keep this brief.  We had a standard walkthrough today, and feel like we're ready to play.  This has been a great week for us.  The accomodations have been nice, and the people have been extremely friendly.  We have had a loyal group of fans around the hotel everyday, often out in the cold, supporting us and waiting for autographs.  We are well aware of the many Steelers fans who have made the trip to Detroit to be here with us, and we feed off that energy.  The team is staying in a different hotel Saturday night that is a secret to everyone.  This should help us avoid all distraction.  For obvious reasons, you won't hear from on Sunday on my website, but maybe you will hear from me on TV.  I will do my best to use all your thoughts, prayers and support for our team to make you proud.  The outcome is yet to be determined, but it will not effect how honored I feel to be the quarterback of this team.  Thank you for being with me this week, and for being my friends on BigBen7.com.  I plan to have exciting changes to come on my site, so please stay tuned.  Time to go.  I've got a game to play...  God bless.  -Ben

FRIDAY

Friday was our last real day of practice, as tomorrow will just be a walkthrough and Sunday is, well... you know what Sunday is.  We had another good workout Friday.  We reached the Silverdome by 8:30am, and were back to hotel by 2pm.  I went to a late lunch with my agent, Ryan at one of my favorite spots, PF Changs.  Not too many recognized me, which was nice.  Afterward, Ryan and I shot pool again back at the hotel.  I was planning on paying a quick visit to my friends at Nike, as they were hosting a party Friday night, but I felt it was better for me to stay in the hotel and relax with my teammates.  As I mentioned before, we are staying in Pontiac, which is a ways from downtown Detroit, and that's where all of the corporate parties are.  My apologies to everyone at Nike, under other circumstances I would make every effort to be there.  So that was pretty much it for Friday.  The game on Sunday is near - my chance to live a dream.  Thank you all for continue to read this stuff this week.  I do actually read through many of the comments, and appreciate all of them.  You guys are very loyal and much appreciated. 

-Ben

THURSDAY

As the game gets closer, our focus narrows.  Thursday's practice was a good one. We were able to accomplish what we needed to, as our coaches have done a great job preparing.  The media requirements were a little less today (but always some), and most of the team is choosing to relax at night.  Not much to report on my end unfortunately... just trying to soak it all in and do what I need to do to be ready for Sunday.  It's a fun atmosphere in Detroit.  You can really sense an excitement in everyone, just being here.  I am looking forward to seeing my family soon.  Tomorrow will be a lighter practice, and Saturday is a walkthrough.  Okay, enough for today.  I know, not terribly insightful, but I guess I'm daydreaming about some big game or something...  ha ha.  I hope you all are getting ready for Sunday.  If your having a party, stock up on some of my BBQ sauce or Beef Jerky.  You can buy them both from my site, and their the best you'll find.  At least I think so.  Gotta go.  Your friend, Ben 

Wednesday in Detroit

Wednesdays are always important practice days for us.  We started the morning early with again, another press conference.  I usually have to be in there first with Coach Cowher to field the most questions.  We have a big media tent set up outside our hotel.  Other teammates come in about 20 minutes later.

Usually I get done before they are done, so today I decided to go around and mess with the guys a bit.  I was being a sniper photographer, taking pictures of them when they were least expecting it.  I got some good shots of Heath, Hines, Deshea and bunch more.  Joey was sitting down, surrounded by media and looking over his shoulder to answer a question. 

I snuck in from the other side and grabbed this one guys microphone, which was on the end of a long pole.  I slowly put crept the microphone up to Joey's face until it was about a half inch from his face.  He finally turned and saw and started laughing, saying he was two seconds from swatting the microphone to the ground.  It was hilarious.

Practice went well.  It was nice to get back to football, throwing the ball and running plays, and not dealing with the hype.  All in all I'm enjoying the experience, but I just want to win this game more than anything.  I am keeping a low profile out here, getting rest and studying up. 

I will have to start to taper these blogs down as we get closer to the game, so hopefully you understand.  A bunch of teammates and I went to Jerome's parents' house for dinner.  It was unreal.  So much great food, and so many great people.  I send a special thanks out to Jerome's parents for the hospitality.  They are awesome. 

From there we went to the Pistons game and sat courtside.  There were a lot of other NFL players there, and they were all excited for us this week.  From there, I returned to the hotel and shot some pool with Ryan, then went to bed.  Talk to you again tomorrow.  Go Steelers.

TUESDAY -

Sorry for getting a bit behind on this.  As you can imagine, my schedule has been crazy out here in Detroit.  So Tuesday was a day off, like our usual Tuesdays during the season, but during Super Bowl week that just means I didn't throw any passes.  Tuesday before the Super Bowl is traditionally media day, and let me tell you, it's a spectacle.  I didn't really know what to expect, but now I understand where the hype around this game comes from.  We got on the buses from our hotel at 7:45am and went to the Stadium.  Ford Field will always be special to me, because that's where I played my first NFL game, in the preseason last year.  We went into our locker room and put on our game pants and jerseys.  Yes, we are wearing white jerseys, and yes, that is fine by me.  It's pretty funny to see football players in their uniform without pads on.  Not the most figure flattering sight.  We did some short tapings and photo shoots for promotional stuff and the game telecast.  From there, we went onto the field, and some of us had to sit individually at podiums and answer questions for about an hour.  As we walked onto the field, what seemed like thousands of media people poured down from the stands to the field.  I answered questions for the entire hour - many of which were repeated - but none that were too crazy.  Lots of questions about my beard and hair.  For the record, the hair will stay after the game, the beard will go, most likely on Monday.  There were lots of questions about my family and Findlay and things that I enjoy talking about.  Following the media day, we returned to the hotel and grabbed lunch with my agent, Ryan.  I then rested for a while.  I met up with Ryan again later, did a magazine interview, then went downtown to meet up with Warren Moon, Fox Analyst James Brown (JB) and few others for dinner.  Warren is a partner with my agents and someone I can turn to for advise.  This is a big week for him, as he awaits the final vote this weekend on his induction into the Hall of Fame.  He is a great guy and was such a great quarterback and football pioneer - I really hope he gets in this year.  Apparently it's a loaded ballot, so if not this year, I'm sure it will happen soon.  JB is someone I've gotten to know and really admire.  He is a quality human being.  We had a fun dinner and shared some great stories.  So far, it's been unreal to see what revolves around the Super Bowl.  For us as a team, we want to take time to enjoy it, but our real focus is lining up on Sunday and playing a tough football game.  I look forward to the start of the game, because all of the hoop-la goes away and regardless of how many millions of people are watching around the world, there are only so many in the stands and 11 on 11 on the field.  Wednesday is important day of practice for us.  I will report more when I can.  Thanks again for the support.  -Ben

Day One in Detroit

Is everybody ready for this??  Hello to you all and thanks for the continued support.  I find myself in Detroit, MI this Monday, January 30th, 2006, preparing to play in the Super Bowl on Sunday in great part to fans like you. 

You guys inspire me to give my all, and your passion for Steelers victories has gotten us to this point.  Now we need just one more push to finish this season right.  My hope is to give something back to you by sharing my experiences from this exciting week.  I figure we got to this point together, so let's take this step together as well.

So this morning, we departed Pittsburgh with an awesome send off from supportive fans.  Our team had a nice surprise for Bussie (that's Jerome, obviously) when we got on the plane... about half the team was decked out in his green throwback #6 Notre Dame jerseys.  Jerome is the greatest guy and means so much to this team, and taking him home to Detroit has been an emotional ride for all of us. 

Upon arriving in Detroit, we were welcomed by tons of media.  We checked into the hotel then immediately went over to the Pontiac Silverdome for a walk through.  That's where the Lions used to play, and the place is enormous.  They just installed field turf for us, similar to Ford Field, and basically everything we'll need to prepare for the game is already set up in the Silverdome. 

Our locker rooms, training room, meeting rooms, workout facility, everything looks great and should allow us to prepare the same way as our facility in Pittsburgh.

After that we returned to the hotel and just settled in.  Our only team commitment was an evening meeting, and basically we're free to explore the city and the restaurants.  Coach Cowher obviously talked to us about being responsible and professional, and taking time to enjoy the experience but remaining focused on why we're here. 

We have a tight team with a lot of respect and admiration for each other.  It's truly an honor to be a part of this group, and I value my role amongst these great guys. The weather here is similar to Pittsburgh, so we'll probably never think about it, especially since our practices and the game will be indoors. 

All in all, it's been a low-stress day, similar to a normal Monday during game weeks.  Tomorrow is the official media day, so the importance of this whole event will probably set in.  Not that I need to be reminded of the importance of the Super Bowl... I've been thinking about it my whole life!

For now, I'm just happy to be here, with this group of guys, representing this organization and the best fans in the world.  I am headed out to dinner now with Jerome, Hines and a group of guys, so we'll get back to more of this tomorrow.  Jerome knows his way around this city, so I'll stick close to him.  Have a great night and thanks again for supporting me.  I feel so blessed in so many ways.   

~~~~~

This is the first installment of Ben's daily blog during Super Bowl week in Detroit.  These are Ben's direct thoughts and reflections on the day, as transcribed by his agent, Ryan Tollner. Ryan is with Ben in Detroit all week.  Ben will continue to provide photos from his cell phone for everyone to enjoy.