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.
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.
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.
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.
Hi Ben- thanks so much for bringing my Steelers back to where they need to be! I'm a devoted fan who has only been able to attend one live Steeler game in my life so far, the one against Buffalo, in WNY in 2004, where Tommy played with the second string. Wish I could have watched you in person but it was exciting all the same. I am originally from PA where my family still resides and all of whom are devoted Steeler fans. I remember when I was a kid and getting excited when my dad yelled at the TV during football season when Pittsburgh rose above what the critics thought they couldn't do. Anyway, I live in Buffalo NY now and believe it or not, there are MANY steeler fans here. Thank God, WOO HOO. It's nice to feel like part of a team. Anyway, I have a favor to ask and not sure if this is the appropriate place to do so. I waited to buy a terrible towel until right before the SuperBowl and would love to have you sign it for me. I can mail it to you and and include return postage if you would be so kind to sign and return it. I don't think I'll ever have the chance to meet with you in person so...what's a girl to do? But hey, if you're ever near Buffalo or Niagara Falls, you need to let me know- my boyfriend and I would love to hang out with ya, have a few beers and chat. It would be our pleasure :)
Kelly
Posted by: Kelly | February 10, 2006 at 11:36 PM
This is a test
Posted by: Test | February 16, 2006 at 02:55 PM
Ben,
Congratulations on the big Super Bowl win! I am 23 years old and I’ve been waiting my whole life for the Steelers to win a Super Bowl! Thanks so much for bringing it home to us. We love our football so much in Pittsburgh, no one appreciates it more then we do.
I will never forget “the tackle” as long as I live. I was at a Steelers bar in Boston; yes there is a big following in New England Country! We are also a road team, a road team of fans in a city that has no tolerance for non-Boston fans. You can imagine the collection of crazy fans that were in this bar! They put on the Steelers polka celebrating a huge victory before the fumble. The entire bar was buying shots, waving towels, and dancing to the polka when all of a sudden we saw the fumble! We all thought the season was over, another season ending too soon. It was because of you that we got to continue on. So thank you saving the season, our hearts, and allowing me to wear my Big Ben 7 Hat around Boston with even more pride!
Posted by: Laura Buchanan | February 17, 2006 at 12:08 AM
Hey Ben,
I know you ride Harleys and there is an event coming up at Z&M in greensburg. Its the camp cadet run and its ran through the state police. I know you came last year but didn't know about the run. Everyone that belongs to the local HOG chapter thinks it would be great if you came. IF you stop at Z&M they have flyers that give you more info. You don't have to pre register.
Thanks for resonding,
Ben
Posted by: Ben | April 12, 2006 at 09:33 PM
Ben I know that You do ride A harley but I've know sombody that has ridden one for years and he just passed away and he was a very good friend of my father's for year ever since I was a baby and they go way back to B&w when my dad first worked B&W this was a steel mill that never slept and would constainly run night and day I also never saw my dad when he worked and I also very seldom saw my mother when she was alway gone my grandmother had to take care of that was until I hit 18 then I stayed all by my self then my mother had 3 more of me and I was stuck taking Care of the rest of us that was pretty hard but I lived through everything and trying to comfort my self when I cried by my self
Posted by: NABO | May 07, 2006 at 01:15 PM
Hi Ben! Hi everyone!
This is my first time posting. I'm thinking about checking out Training Camp this season. Anyone know if final dates have been given for the 2006 camp? Not the Mini-camp but the actual one, usually in July? Anybody out there been to one? Any words of wisdom?
Thanks much! Go Steelers!!
Posted by: AlmndEyes | May 30, 2006 at 10:09 PM
Ben Please recover from your injuries very soon every one is praying for you please be ok Ben
we want to to be able to play football please come through the surgery for us we will all be praying for you we all love you very much please pull through this
as even we pray for seth as well
Posted by: NABO | June 12, 2006 at 02:42 PM
Ben Hi how are you today I'm ok I guess my father found out that I could very well have skin cancer because of my daughter's and nephew's dr and they both said the it's dermotoligest time and I'm very very very nervous about this I'm suspose to call on monday and make and appt.
Posted by: NABO | September 15, 2006 at 02:09 AM