Steelers football blog

Big Ben gets hitched

Ben Roethlisberger is no longer the single best quarterback in Pittsburgh.

On a hot but clear Saturday afternoon, Mr. Roethlisberger, 29, and New Castle native Ashley Harlan, 26, exchanged wedding vows before an Ohio Township church full of family and friends -- as well as Steelers officials, coaches and players.

After the ceremony at Christ Church at Grove Farm, the bride and groom were whisked by limousine to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown, for a reception in The Spirit of America Ballroom.

More than 600 guests gathered for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in the convention center's Concourse B, overlooking the Allegheny River, then went into the ballroom for dinner and dancing. And, of course, to toast the newlyweds. (continue)

Ground zero for Big Ben

People living near Ohio Township's Christ Church at Grove Farm are used to heavy traffic on Sundays.

But it's going to be especially busy around the church next Saturday as well. That's when Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, 29, will exchange wedding vows with New Castle native Ashley Harlan, 26, at the church, according to workers there.

Maintenance workers vacuuming carpets at the all-but-empty church Saturday afternoon said they've been aware of the wedding plans for some time.

"We got an email saying, 'Try to keep it low-key,' " said Pete Lawrence, a facilities worker employed by the church.

The chapel at the Anglican-based worship center off Duff Road in a wooded area seats several hundred people. The main building is surrounded by smaller buildings and hundreds of parking spaces.

Guests -- expected to number in the hundreds -- will need to present a photo ID, Mr. Lawrence said. (continue)

Big Ben healing but foot injury looms

Losing in the Super Bowl isn't the only pain Ben Roethlisberger has had to overcome this offseason.

The Steelers quarterback said a broken foot hobbled him so much toward the end of last season that "there were times during practice and games where I didn't feel like I'd be able to walk."

The good news, Roethlisberger said, is his right foot — he broke a bone in it and later aggravated the injury — has almost fully healed and that the NFL lockout has allowed the eighth-year veteran to rest it more than usual.

The potentially unsettling news for Roethlisberger and the Steelers: There is a chance he may need surgery on his foot at some point, an option Roethlisberger considered after last season. (continue)

Big Ben recruiting Plaxico?

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has talked in the past about how a tall wide receiver would add another dimension to the passing game.

Tuesday, Roethlisberger stopped just short of lobbying for Plaxico Burress' return to Pittsburgh.

"I've talked to Plax a number of times in the last couple of weeks," Roethlisberger said. "I told him, 'Hey, if you came back here that would be awesome, but I'm just happy to see you playing again' because he's a good guy."

The two were teammates for one season, and the Steelers have not had a wide receiver that is rangy and sure-handed since Burress signed with the New York Giants in 2005. (continue)

Big Ben getting hitched

Ben Roethlisberger apparently has big plans this summer.

The Steelers quarterback and his fiancée, Ashley Harlan of New Castle, are planning a July 23 wedding in Pittsburgh, according to TMZ.com.

TMZ posted on its website a “save the date” card that Roethlisberger and his fiancée have sent to family and friends.

The location of the wedding is not known.

TMZ also posted part of the couple's wedding registry. (Trib)

Just call him "Big Game" Ben

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger wears No. 7 because it was John Elway's number. He grew up a San Francisco 49ers fan in Findlay, Ohio, because of his admiration for Joe Montana.

No quarterback has played in more Super Bowls than Elway. None have won more than Montana.

If anybody knows what is at stake tonight at Cowboys Stadium, it is Roethlisberger. He is playing for his third Super Bowl ring -- a milestone that would put him between childhood heroes Elway (two) and Montana (four) in Super Bowl victories and cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats.

"He wins this one, and he's about to go down in the books," said Steelers left guard Chris Kemoeatu.

But Roethlisberger, 28, would rather not think about his place in history.

"It is kind of a tough thing to comment on because legacies are usually something that are asked [about] when you're done," Roethlisberger said. "I think you can always build toward your legacy and what you want it to be. Just trying to win football games and championships is what I'm trying to do now."

The comparisons, though, are hard to avoid. (PPG)

Big Ben helped show Santonio Holmes the door

Ben Roethlisberger did his best to play dumb yesterday. The Steelers' controversy-plagued quarterback acted mystified by the notion his own off-field problems contributed to Pittsburgh dumping former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes on the Jets for peanuts last spring.

At the time, Roethlisberger was facing his second claim of sexual harassment in a year and about to get a lengthy suspension from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Holmes, meanwhile, had other legal issues and was looking at a four-game league suspension for drug use.

The belief within league circles, confirmed to The Post by one NFL executive familiar with the Steelers' thinking, was that Pittsburgh gave Holmes away for a fifth-round round pick because it didn't want two publicity headaches, and the Steelers weren't willing to trade their franchise quarterback. (Post)

No broken foot for Big Ben

Refuting a report that Ben Roethlisberger has a broken foot, the Steelers said their starting quarterback reaggravated an old injury where there is scar tissue last Sunday in Buffalo.

In a statement released today by the Steelers, team spokesman Dave Lockett said there is no new fracture in Roethlisberger's right foot.

Roethlisberger appears to be on track to play Sunday night in a crucial AFC North game against the Ravens.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Roethlisberger's current injury was a sprain after their 19-16 overtime win against the Bills and again during his weekly news conference Tuesday.

Roethlisberger has practiced the last two days on a limited basis though he has been limping noticeably around the Steelers' locker room.

He has said he will play against the Ravens. (Tribune)

Big Ben has a boot

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a protective boot on his sprained right foot and may not practice on Wednesday, coach Mike Tomlin said today.

However, Tomlin said he believes Roethlisberger will be able to play in Baltimore Sunday night. If he cannot, Byron Leftwich would start the game against the Ravens.

Roethlisberger said his right foot, hurt previously, was re-injured Sunday in Buffalo. (Post Gazette)

The return of Big Ben

If you think time has done a miraculous job of healing Ben Roethlisberger's broken image, wait 'til you see what winning does. One victory, maybe two, and the man will have gone from pariah to messiah in six months.

That is not an endorsement of Roethlisberger. It's just the truth, so far as it relates to the greater part of Steeler Nation.

Surely, you remember what it was like around here six months ago, in the wake of the second sexual assault allegation within a year against Roethlisberger (never charged) and a subsequent NFL-imposed suspension.

You probably remember that polls showed fans heavily in favor of trading Roethlisberger, whose likeness had been removed from a Pittsburgh Zoo display and replaced by Mario Lemieux's.

You might recall that Roethlisberger's brand-name beef jerky had been pulled from the shelves and that talk-show lines lit up with irate callers. One woman even called a show wanting to organize a bonfire of No. 7 jerseys (I believe that would be a Ben fire).

Big Ben's Q-rating was lower than JaMarcus Russell's passer rating.

By 1 p.m. today, you'd never know it. (Tribune)