Hello everyone ... I am so sorry it has been so long since I have been able to get on here and write to you all I feel so bad about it...but I am back and I want to let yo all know a little about what has been going on in my life.
As some of you may know the family member that was sick in my family was my grandfather. Well, he passed away on Sat. morning. It is very tough for our family because we are so close. He was a great man and I know he is the reason my father is such a great man, and it is why I strive to be a great man so I can make them all so proud of me.
He was 83 years old and lived a great life he lived through and fought in a world war, made it through a depression, and saw so much else in his life time that most of us will never see or ever want to see. He was married to my grandmother for over 60 yrs and I have never seen two people so more in love then them. They were still holding hands and kissing at the age of 80.
It was tough for me because I am the only grandson in the family and grandpa was a great athlete, so he came to a lot of my games ever since I was a little kid, it hurts a lot because he never got to see a Steelers game live, but I guess at least now he has the best seat in the house for the rest of my career.
It was tough for me because the last funeral I went to was my mothers when I was 8, so I am not used to these kinds of things, but it meant so much to have all the support from friends and family and other players, and all the prayers.
I guess that's enough venting for now. It feels better to talk to you all about this because I have to be the rock for this family and when I can let it out sometimes it helps so thank you all for
your support and prayers and I look forward to talking again soon.
I am dedicating this season to my grandfather Ken Carl Roethlisberger. I love you.
Hey Ben, I live in Houston and I'm a big Steelers fan (probably not a suprise that I'm not much into the Texans) My family loved Pittsburgh during the Terry Bradshaw "steel curtain" days.. I just wanted to say I think you're such an awesome quarterback. I looove to watch you play! You're so good in and out of the pocket..you always keep your composure and accuracy even with tons of pressure! When you guys put pressure on Manning last week, he crumbled and threw interceptions!! You always look so sexy and confident out on the field.. Anyways I don't know if you ever respond to fan emails, I'm sure you have a pretty busy schedule and may not even read these messages but just in case you do, I'd love to hear from ya. You guys have done such a great job this season. You better go ahead and prepare a speech for after y'all with the superbowl :)
Posted by: Jessica | January 22, 2006 at 08:23 PM
hey ben yuor are the best and so good looking and i am so sorry to here about your grandfather it i must be hard when you play football and are on the road like you are
Posted by: Heather Dean | January 24, 2006 at 02:56 PM
hey ben yuor are the best and so good looking and i am so sorry to here about your grandfather it i must be hard when you play football and are on the road like you are
Posted by: Heather Dean | January 24, 2006 at 02:56 PM
Hey Ben:
Just wanted to tell you what a great game you and your team gave all the fans of pittsburgh!! Best of luck in the Super Bowl!!! Remember one for the thumb. Good luck!!!
Renee'
Posted by: renee bowers | January 24, 2006 at 04:41 PM
Be careful in the Superbowl. It would be a shame if a Seahawk cut from the same cloth as Kimo Von-Cheap Shot took out your knee.
Posted by: Red Hawk | January 31, 2006 at 04:08 PM
Good Luck!! We live in Frankfurt Germany, but will stay up until just after midnight to watch the game...
Posted by: Robin | February 02, 2006 at 02:18 AM
Ben Roethlisberger is my LOVE!!!!!! He is like the best thign that ever happend to the steelers!!.. Good luck tonight!! ( 2/5/06) Ur gona win the superbowl for the team!!
Posted by: Morgan | February 05, 2006 at 11:25 AM
Congratulations on your Super Bowl win.
Posted by: Sonal | February 05, 2006 at 11:37 PM
Hey Ben how are you. I just wanted to say congragulations on your win against seattle. You played a decent game. Since the begining of the season I was telling my friends that they should watch out for Big Ben. Keep working hard and you could get the steelers to the next superbowl. Good luck,and may God be with you!!!
Posted by: Michael | February 06, 2006 at 11:39 AM
CONGRATULATIONS! That was a great game against Seattle. My family has been Steelers fans since their beginning, and you have brought the team a great year and an amazing post-season. You've been blessed...again, congratulations!
Go Steelers!
Posted by: Cristina | February 06, 2006 at 11:52 AM
Hey, Ben... I just read this, just found your blog today, actually. I wanted to tell you how sorry I am about your grandfather. I lost mine too, about 10 years ago, and it was really difficult on the entire family, as we're all tight too. It's wonderful to know that we'll all meet again one day in Heaven. God bless, Angie.
Posted by: Angie | February 06, 2006 at 05:29 PM
Ben,
I am so sorry to hear about your grandfather...seeing what i have read you had to be very close with him. I am only 12 years old, but i have lost my grandpa and grandma in my life. I am VERY happy that the steeles won super bowl!
Holly
Posted by: Holly | February 07, 2006 at 06:52 PM
Hi Ben!
I just found this blog and read about your grandfather passing from this life to his eternal life. My condolences to you and your family.
Congratulations on your SuperBowl win and what a fine season dedicated to your loving grandfather.
May God bless you as you continue to seek His will!
Deb
Posted by: Deb W | February 10, 2006 at 09:32 AM
Hi, Ben congratulations on you and the Steelers accomplishing your dream to go to the Super Bowl and take home the Lombardi Trophy.I can tell u have a close knit family. Cuz i seen the way you guys brought the city together. I enjoyed the parade on fifth ave. Downtown. I know your grandpa and ma is proud as they look down smiling @ u. maybe saying "Good job, Well done son!
Posted by: jay fulgham | February 10, 2006 at 05:32 PM
Redhawks, Steelers and Big Ben rule!!! Congrats
-Josh from MU
Posted by: Josh Miller | February 11, 2006 at 03:23 AM
I am very sorry for your loss. It is never easy to lose the people we love, no matter how old they are or how full they lives they've lived. Nothing ever can quite prepare us for learning to live without them. The only consolation we have is our memories and it is there that they always are with us, no matter the day, the time, the year, the place.
It is hard being the rock of the family, this I know. My Mom died when I was 10 months old and I learned at a young age that I had to be strong and independent, and so I learned to hide my feelings so that I could be strong for those who couldn't in my family. My grandmother died in June 2004, followed by my mother-in-law two months later and then my own father very unexpectedly July 4, 2005. He was killed by a train while waiting for the fireworks that night. The unexpectedness made it harder to deal with coupled with the knowledge that I just found out he was going to be a first-time grandfather a few weeks before. At least I got a chance to tell him. I just wish he was here to see my son now. Anyway, the rock of my family who had hidden her grief at losing her grandmother and mother-in-law and comforted her husband and father-in-law for months had literally fallen apart. It was then, however, that I discovered how strong my husband really was. I had always balked at leaning on anyone, but when I finally couldn't be the strong one anymore, I found strength in him, had a healthy pregnancy and produced a son bearing his grandfather's name. And he will know him and his grandmother and his great-grandmother and all of the people we've ever loved and lost through us. That's how they live on, how we truly remember them without sugar-coating anything, how we pass on our values and the lessons that life has taught us over the years. He never will doubt for one second how loved he is, how special he is and how the people in our families would have loved him - and I think do from wherever they are now in whatever form they've taken - and how proud they would have been had they been here - and are.
Always keep your grandfather in your heart.
Sincerely,
Jennifer,
A die-hard New York Giants fan with a soft spot for the Steelers (John Stallworth is from my hometown of Huntsville, AL)
Posted by: Jennifer | February 14, 2006 at 10:46 AM
Ben,
First of all, let me congraulate you and the rest of the Steelers organization on a wonderful season and that GREAT Super Bowl win! The only thing that could make it even better for me is if I were still in the Steel City (and yes, my last name really is Steel) to celebrate along with my hometown cronies. I miss Pittsburgh this time of year :)! I'll be back soon enough though! We have a contingent of Steelers fans at work that we call "Iron City South" (complete with the Pittsburgh accent)!
Every day I am more an more amazed at the faith you and your teammates share with each other and with the community at large. God has truly blessed each of you and it is my prayer that you continue to live your lives according to His will. You are a true man of faith; be proud of your convictions and never back down from what you truly believe in. God will bless you for your trust and faith in Him as long as you stay on His path.
Please accept my belated condolences on the loss of your grandfather. From the way you described him (and your grandmother as well), he was a wonderful man, and you should feel blessed to have had him as long as you did. I, as many others who have posted, have also been through the loss of a grandparent in recent months, and I, too, was extremely close with my grandmother. One thing that I've found to be a comfort in times of sorrow is to 1)talk about your loved one as much as possible with others, so that their memory does not fade away; 2)to allow yourself time to grieve (it's ok to get worked up over the little things); and 3)to go to God when the going gets rough and allow Him to comfort your heart. The loss of a loved one is never easy, but it does get easier as time goes by.
May God continue to bless you and your teammates in all that you do!
Heather Steel
Posted by: Heather Steel | February 15, 2006 at 04:14 PM
Hey Ben.
Dude my moms cousin is your girlfriend. Your girls name is Allison. I am 13 and one of your biggest fans. Allison has a twin sister named Amanda and her moms name is Jodi. My email is zakwylde@aol.com. If you can email me please. I really want you too. thanks.
Zach
Posted by: Zach | February 15, 2006 at 09:13 PM
hey ben i play football for a jr. NFL leauge are team was the steelers and won the championship too. i wear number 7 too. i was the best QB in the leauge not sacked once, best rating, most passing yards, no interceptions
Posted by: steel city KC | February 16, 2006 at 12:25 AM
Hey Ben,
I'm 8 years old and you are my hero. I'm so happy you won the superbowl XL. I just ordered your jersey and I cannot wait for its arrival.
All the best,
Elan
Posted by: Elan Sharony | February 19, 2006 at 08:21 PM
I know what its like loosing someoneone, unfortanly i wasent close to any of my grandparents, but i lost my father when i was 7 years old and still havent gotten overit, i know its alittle late to comment since it happened awhile ago, but things will get better, hang in there!!
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle | February 20, 2006 at 04:09 PM
Ben~
So sorry to hear about your lose. But i know you can over come any thing life throws your way. Just remember its probably for the best and he's in a better place.
~take care~
*~*~Jessica
Posted by: Jessica | March 05, 2006 at 05:17 PM
sorry about you'r granfather my name is matt andiam 10 years old when iam older i want to be a nfl QB but right now i just play backyard football next year i will play organized football sincerely,matt P.S. MY brother is a good RB he might be as good as the bus some daY
Posted by: matt rader | March 06, 2006 at 01:39 PM
I think Ben Roethlisberger is the best QB in the NFL.Who
cares about Payton Manning he sucks.Ben has speed,and canpass like Joe Montana.I say Pitt lets win 10 more super bowls.GO PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Posted by: jacob toothman | April 21, 2006 at 05:38 PM
hi ben
i am 12 years old.i want to play football when i grow up.i know i cant play QB because of a shoulder injery in 6th grade.i would love to be a LB.I of being the next jack lambert.i live in newark Ohio.i know you lived in Ohio.When i grow up i want to go to Ohio State.then i want to be LB for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Posted by: jacob toothman | April 21, 2006 at 06:40 PM