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.

Comments

[John - ORIGINAL FAN SINCE COLLEGE]

Hey Ben,

Saw some great pictures of you partying it up online the other day. I especially like the "Drink Like A Champion Today" Shirt. Just wanted to pop back into the blog and wish ya luck man. Kick some ass Big Ben!

[ED]

Ben,
My little man "Peyton" just 10 months old just got his first NFL jersey. Yep my wife just called me and told me he will be wearing #7 Sunday. I have been a Steelers fan for 36 years, can't wait to share this Super Bowl with Peyton and his new jersey. Again God Bless & Go Steelers!

[Justin Metz]

Hey Ben,
This blog is great. Thanks for letting us feel a little closer to the team at such an incredibly huge time in Steeler history. I have been literally dreaming about the Super Bowl almost every night since we beat the Colts. Best of luck Sunday and throughout the rest of your career.

[Jaime Aluia]

Ben,
I was at Greektown Casino last night, you signed my terrible towel. I wanted to thank you again, I know you didn't have to do that for me! We are rooting for the Steelers on Sunday! Thanks Again! GO STEELERS!

[Brittany]

Hey Big Benny!

Just wanted to say that it is possible for you to be a christian and drink at the same time! I don't know how drinking and God have anything to do with each other. They serve as wine at church, don't they? Anyway, more power to you..YOUR 23, HOT, RICH AND FAMOUS...If you weren't partying and drinking with chicks I'd be worried you were gay! LOL.

Good Luck Sunday Babe!

[tiffany.......#1 big ben fan!!!!!!!]

Ben,
I hope some of those pic's u take will end up on your blog!!!!!!!
and maybe some more of u!, your sooooooooooooooo HOT!!!!!!!
Tiffany...#1 big ben fan!!!!!!!

[Casie]

Ben,
I'm so happy your having an awesome time in Detroit even with all the media. I know I wouldn't be able to do it!! At our school we had a Pittsburgh Steelers day and celebrated the Steelers and their year. It was awesome. we had people decorate doors with all Steelers stuff and they made a video of all of the awesome plays!! We are all rooting for you guys up here and it's awesome that your going to the Superbowl!! We all hope your gonna win!! Thanks again for keeping us informed with everything thats going on!
Love Always and God Bless,
Casie

[Lisa]

You Guys ARE THE BEST. This team has a lot of GREAT players. My father is a die hard Steelers fan. He has been since (crap) the 80's maybe earlier. It was ashame last year when Maddox was out but the best person took his position. THANKS BIG BEN!!! Take us all the WAY HOME!!!!!! Love you guys all, Polamalu, The BUS, BIG BEN.............. HERE WE GO STEELERS HERE WE GO... ALL THE WAY HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Alicia]

This year has been so exciting!! Congratulations to you and your team thusfar! It's great to prove wrong so many "non-fans" who didn't think the Steelers would make it this far, isn't it? Of course, now most "unbelievers" are band-wagonnners and are rootin' for you guys. Oh well, so be it! :) The more, the merrier I say! I'm so looking forward to Sunday's game and witnessing your deserved Superbowl trophy! Congrats in advance Ben!!

[Ms. P and the Students of Room 107 (Westinghouse Elementary School)]

Dear Ben,

We just wanted to let you know how PROUD we are of YOU and YOUR TEAMMATES. For the past two weeks we have been busy decorating our ENTIRE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL with homemade paperchains, in black and gold of course, and tons of pennants, footballs, and pictures to celebrate our FAVORITE TEAM. Maybe you and the guys could come and see it after the BIG GAME. We also had a school-wide pep rally today at 2:00. TOO BAD you and the team missed it. IT WAS SUPER!!!!!!!! GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND THE TEAM ON SUNDAY. We'll definitely be watching. :)

LOVE,

Your 4th grade fans (ROOM 107) at Westinghouse Elementary School in Wilmerding, PA

PS.....Our teacher told us that a STEELER VICTORY means there will be NO WRITTEN HOMEWORK all next week.

[Nicole Ann ~# 1 Big Ben Fan~]

A Poem I Just Come Across....

Detroit XL
{Poem By Patrick Koch}

Look out Seattle, you're in for it now,
Prepare for the wrath of the Terrible Towel!

You're weak team got no soul and no heart,
Porter and Polamalu are gonna tear you apart!

With the blitz and the rush and the ol' interceptions,
Our smash-mouth play will make no exceptions.

Big Ben will be threadin' to his favorite receivers,
Even the Hawk's fans will be made into believers,

The Bus is gonna roll and take 5 men with him,
Chances that you'll stop him are looking quite grim.

For some beat little team dressed in aquamarine,
There'll only be heartache when you're down by eighteen.

You've made it quite far, and this much is true.
But come Super Bowl time, we'll bid you adieu!

For Seattle's fate will be soon to unfold,
After getting beat bad by the Black and the Gold.

In just 4 short quarters those chumps will succomb,
As Blitzburgh prepares to get one for the thumb

[Alley Coast]

Hey Ben,
Good Luck on Sunday to you and the rest of the team. I'm saying the score is going to be 24-20 Steelers. Here we go Steelers here we go....Pittsburgh's going to the SUPER BOWL!!!!

WISHING YOU AND THE REST OF THE TEAM LUCK-

Alley Coast, Eldred PA

[* Erica <3]

Sounds like you played a good one! lol. Cant wait until Sunday! We had a Steeler day at my school today and it was great! At the end of the day we all sang Here We Go. Wish you could have seen it. =]

<3 Always,
Erica A.

[yournumber1fan]

ONE FOR THE THUMB! man i wish you guys only the best! i am the biggest steeler fan ever and i know that you guys are a very numble football team. Only you guys could have come this far. GOOD LUCK ON SUNDAY! LOVE ALL YOU STEELERS WITH MY WHOLE HEART! LET'S GIVE JB THE BEST YEAR OF HIS LIFE!!!

[Nikki G.]

Dear Ben and the entire team. I am a senior in college majoring in Elementary Education. I am doing my student teaching at Trinity West Elementary in Washington, PA in second grade. I just wanted to let you know how excited the 20 seven and eight year olds I have in my class are for the Super Bowl. We have written about it everyday and talked about it every minute. Trust me, it has been extremely hard to get in a math lesson. For the past two weeks we have been decorated our doors and the hallways. Today every kid in my class was dressed in black and gold from head to toe. Please know, you have had such an impact on these kids. Our spelling words have turned into all of the player's last names and our math lessons have turned into all of the player's numbers. It has truly been an incredible experience for the kids. Today we had a pep-rally for you. As I walked in the gym with my class, I heard the "Here We Go" song blaring on the loudspeaker and saw hundreds of elementary students singing and waving their terrible towels!!! It was amazing! Thank for you for all of the expereinces you have given to all of us. P.S. Ben, your jersey is by far the most popular choice of the kids...and my choice as well!!! GO STEELERS!!!!

[Tim]

Thanks Ben. Rooting for you from London, England! Could you please encourage Joey to let his actions speak for themselves!

[kd]

I love you guys! I might be the only girl in Dallas pulling for you guys, but when your dad is from Pittsburgh, what choice do you have? Go Steelers!!

[nicole walker]

Hey Ben,
I had to get on herefor my three year old. He loves you and wanted to say hello and good luck to you and the rest of the team. He is already a huge steelers fan and tells everyone he sees that Pittsburg going to the super bowl. Good luck and God Bless! Can't wait till sunday. P.S. By the way you look good with or without the hair.

[Stephanie]

Ben good Luck in the game on Sunday..you guys will be awesome.

[Carrie]

YOU ARE A FANTASTIC ATHLETE. I WANT TO WISH YOU AND ALL OF THE STEELER PLAYERS THE BEST OF LUCK IN SUNDAY'S GAME. I KNOW YOU WILL BRING THAT ONE HOME FOR THE THUMB.
i DO HAVE ONE QUESTION. yOU ARE SURE TO HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH PEOPLE ON THIS SITE, DO YOU EVER GET THE CHANCE TO ACTUALLY RESPOND TO ANYONE IN PARTICULAR? i AM SURE YOU ARE VERY BUSY. i WAS JUST WONDERING IF YOU DO WHERE DO YOU FIND THE TIME.

GOOD LUCK
CARRIE

[Amanda]

Good Luck!! I'm so excited for you. Yahoo Sports keeps a good round of pictures of you having a good time there in Michigan. I went shopping at the Mall today and someone complained that there was too much Steelers decorations in the area but I just laughed. WV is about 80-90% Steelers fans, I even have a friend from college who became a fan after his 6 years in this state. So we are all pulling for you and cheering you on to Victory. You definitly have the support so all you have to do is play hard.
Here is a question for you!! How, do I get a date with you?
Hopefully, your future Girlfriend,
Amanda, 26 years old

Home of the Mountaineers and Steelers

[Bonnie R.]

Hey Ben! Play hard sunday.

LY
Bonnie

[Allyson C.]

Hey Ben!
Just wanted to say good luck on Sunday and I'll be rootin' for ya in Indiana. (I love the bragging rights I have around here now.)Even all those Colts fans are cheering for you guys now! Have a great time and go get those Seahawks!!!

Thanks for a geat season!!!!

[Kc]

ben
The people at school are mad and saying i should cheer for the seahawks and bengals but i don't listen to them. GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!
HOPE U GUYS WIN SUNDAY
-CASALAI-

[Kc]

ben
The people at school are mad and saying i should cheer for the seahawks and bengals but i don't listen to them. GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!
HOPE U GUYS WIN SUNDAY
-CASALAI-