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
Ben, the only way I could have gotten more enjoymentout of seeing you having your beard shaved would be if I was doing it myself!! You are so much hotter without it. I understand you felt it brought you luck, but please, in order to remain eye candy, keep it off!
Posted by: Maria Koehler | February 07, 2006 at 05:46 PM
Ben,
If you read this--which I doubt you will, but if you do--please stay real. Please stay normal and humble and real. It makes one a great football player.
Congratulations on your win. And thanks for writing. You don't know what this does for struggling English teachers encouraging students to write.
English teacher and Steeler fan,
Kiersten
Posted by: Kiersten | February 07, 2006 at 09:30 PM
Hey Ben,
Just found your blog. Where've I been? What a turnout at the parade and rally today. You know what I find so great about you? You seem so down-to-earth. I've heard stories to the contrary, but I don't believe them. You always seem so gracious and humble.
Love Zeus. I'm an animal lover and that dog seems like uhm, well.. a howl? LOL. He's a cutie.
Cindy W.
Posted by: Cindy | February 07, 2006 at 11:36 PM
Oh and Ben, by the way... I have two kids with autism and I'm the director of a local autism group. I have to say that some days really suck ... and you and your teammates have definitely made them better lately.
:-)
Cindy W.
Posted by: Cindy | February 07, 2006 at 11:48 PM
My boyfriend and I love you very much. I liike you in your Steelers uniform. The tight trousers go down a storm with my partner.
Luvsya, yours always,
Gareth Langley (Pittsburgh resident for 14 years)
Posted by: Gareth Langley | February 08, 2006 at 09:43 AM
Ben,
You are the best! You give in so many ways and do what it takes to win the game. Congratulations and thank you!!! FYI I think you should have been MVP. (Yes, Hines did a great job too!) Just came across your website and I appreciate your down to earth-ness with the journal. I would love to challenge you at a game of pool sometime.
Heart, Abby
Posted by: Abby | February 08, 2006 at 11:00 AM
There are alot of soldiers in Iraq who are BIG Steeler fans! I was hoping that you could go to anysoldier.com there is a search enginge there, type in Steelers and up will pop up the names of the soldiers who would love some steeler things to brighten up their day. We are proud of them and their sacrifices. We are proud of our Steelers.
Whatever you could do would be apprectiated.
Thanks,
Sally
Posted by: Sally Herr | February 08, 2006 at 02:30 PM
Ben~
Just wanted to thank you and all the Steelers for a phenomenal season. It's so great to hear those words again "World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers!"
I was at the parade yesterday. What a turnout and what fun. It was awesome seeing you and your teamates. I'm so glad I went.
Also, thanks for sharing your thoughts on your website. It is very enjoyable to read. Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 08, 2006 at 06:29 PM
Hey Ben! Great job! Let's start a new dynasty. I normally don't say this to people, but my the spirit of the 70s (Steelers) be among you all!
Amanda
Posted by: Amanda | February 08, 2006 at 07:14 PM
My hotel was in all Black and Gold. All the out of towners knew who to root for or they would be asked to leave.
Posted by: Jave L. Brown | February 08, 2006 at 09:48 PM
BEN,
HECK YES!!! WE WON THE SUPER BOWL!!! ALL OF YOU DESERVED IT ESPECIALLY JEROME BETTIS AND BILL COWHER... IT'S REALLY SAD THAT JEROME IS LEAVING BUT AT LEAST HE'S LEAVING THE RIGHT WAY.. AS A CHAMPION(AS HE SHOULD BE)!!! WELL CONGRATS!! TELL EVERYONE THAT I LOVE THE STEELERS AND I'M GLAD I'M A STEELERS FAN!!!
TRACI
Posted by: Traci | February 08, 2006 at 10:08 PM
Great Game and even cooler parade!
1/4 million fans love you Ben, and are in no way expecting a repeat or three...we will relish this victory for a long time.
On to Miami!!
Posted by: Craig | February 09, 2006 at 09:26 AM
Hi Ben,
Just to say well done on the ring. Great to see the Bus get his and let this be the first of many.
Gareth
(Southampton, UK)
Posted by: Idris Dragon | February 09, 2006 at 02:17 PM
So I'm just curious... are you tired yet? =) You're like the energizer bunny, you keep going and going! Take a nap will ya?
LOL
Posted by: nicolea | February 09, 2006 at 04:07 PM
Ben,
Just wanted to say congrats!! you should have been MVP you really came thru when we need you. Not that Hines didn't do awesome also. I am very proud of you and the rest of the team. You look so much better now that you have shaved off that beard. Drop me an e-mail sometime. I will be living in the burgh starting in April. Can't wait for next season!!!
Posted by: christine | February 09, 2006 at 08:15 PM
Ben,
Just wanted to say congrats!! you should have been MVP you really came thru when we needed you. Not that Hines didn't do awesome also. I am very proud of you and the rest of the team. You look so much better now that you have shaved off that beard. Drop me an e-mail sometime. I will be living in the burgh starting in April. Can't wait for next season!!!
Posted by: christine | February 09, 2006 at 08:16 PM
Ben, the football angels were smiling down on Steeler country the day we drafted you. Congratulations to you and the rest of the Steelers on your BIG WIN! I personally have been smiling ear to ear since Sunday. I can't even imagine what you are feeling . . . this is so awesome isn't it? We all love you out here in the Steeler nation Ben. You are phenomenal and Pittsburgh deserves a brave new leader to commandeer our city's "heart and soul". I was at the parade and felt the magic in Pittsburgh’s air that day. I can't even believe this is the beginning of your career. 23 years old and you have a super bowl ring. Sometimes it is hard to remember that I am a year older than you. You have done so much so soon.....who knows perhaps it is the beginning of a new dynasty.
p.s. wanna be my valentine?
Love,
Allison
Posted by: Allison | February 10, 2006 at 01:22 AM
Congratulations Big Ben. I am from Western Pa ( Burgettstown } but I live in Columbus,Ohio. It is hard being a Steeler fan here. All I hear is Browns and Bengals Fans and how they are going to beat our butts. Thanks for shutting them up. I have been a Steeler fan for as long as I can Remember, and thats a long time. Thanks again Big Ben.
Posted by: Terry James | February 10, 2006 at 06:11 PM
Ben- I am from Seattle and I heard so much crap from my friends about how the Seahawks were gonna "dominate." It sure was nice to go back to school on Wednesday and hear nothing from them.
I was at the game and at the team hotel in Pontiac that weekend at the "after party". Can I just say that I am glad that my first "live" superbowl included you and the rest of the guys winning "one for the thumb." Great Superbowl and I know you're gonna be able to do it again next year!
Posted by: Tori | February 10, 2006 at 10:30 PM
Ben,
I just love the picture of your family! Thank you for sharing. You look just like your father. Congratulations on winning the Super Bowl! Pittsburgh is so proud to have such a great team representing the city! God Bless! Enjoy every moment of this glorious win!
Posted by: Angie | February 11, 2006 at 01:55 PM
Ben,
I am from Arcadia, Ohio a small town outside of Findlay, it is so nice to see a local man do so well! From all of us who had dreams of one day playing in a Superbowl, we lived that dream through you! God Bless, and Good luck in all you do in the future!
Posted by: Michael Hengsteler | February 11, 2006 at 05:21 PM
yeah Ben you won the super bowl I am so happy for you I love the oicture of your familey your mother has red hair its nice much love ben
Kelsey
Posted by: Kelsey | February 12, 2006 at 02:50 PM
Ben, I wish I had known you were going to be on Letterman. It makes me sad to know I missed you on it. I also missed you on the Grammys! Uggh.
Posted by: bettina | February 14, 2006 at 01:38 PM
Ben, grate job in the Super Bowl! I wore your jersey with pride!I think ur the best quarterback in the NFL...I've been a Steelers fan for a long time and in the past 2 years u've redeamed the team! Can't wait til next season. And I think ur beautiful with or with out the beard! :)
Posted by: Meghan | February 14, 2006 at 11:00 PM
Hey Ben can you get whoever does your blog to delete all the stuff I have wrote. I look like a big loser. Still like ya! But man do I need a life. I am going to go find one.
See what you can do? Thanks a million.
Bonnie
Posted by: Bonnie E Roupe | February 18, 2006 at 09:41 AM