Fan Photos/Fan Stories

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Training Camp - August 16, 20101709 viewsErin,
When training camp began, we had only planned to attend one day of training camp and the night practice, but last week my husband and I decided to attend one more time... and I was so glad we did.

This time there were more people so we had to sit on the hillside (rather than the bleachers), but lucky me -- it was the hillside where Ben always signs autographs. After practice we stood right at the fence line. Of course you get tons of people trying to shove their way in but lucky me again, I am married to a Marine, lol...

As Ben approached my heart was beating a mile a minute, I couldn't believe I was actually this close to him and as he walked up to me and signed my football, I asked, "Would you please take a picture with me?" and he said, "Sure, if you have someone to take it!". I wanted to say something to him but that's about all that would come out, lol. I was speechless.

After everything that has happened, I can honestly say he such a sweet guy, all smiles - and Ben was so great with the kids...

Today was a great day. They say the third time's a charm, well I can definitely agree with that because this was our third trip to training camp this year and I got to meet Ben... wouldn't trade it for anything.

Billie JoAug 17, 2010

Training Camp - August 5, 20101386 viewsHi Erin,

Words cannot describe how excited I am (still) to have attended the August 5th and 6th training camp sessions of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I have been a fan of the team since 1997 and a fan of Ben since 2004. At the camp, I was amazed to hear the loud cheers for Ben as he came out to practice, and to see so many fans wearing his jersey! The cheers lasted throughout practice as fans watched Ben closely run drills with his offense. He looked very fit and relaxed; he laughed and joked around with his teammates, especially Hines Ward!

Unfortunately, after practice, most of the players, including Ben, were carted off the field and I was unable to get an autograph. Hopefully next time I will get one!

This was my first Steelers training camp experience and it will certainly NOT be the last!! I cannot wait to see Ben and his teammates on August 21st at their pre-season game against the NY Giants at Meadowlands stadium.

Have a great year, Ben!! GO Steelers!! Go Ben!!

Sincerely,
Elli

*Elli, thank you so much!

**Please do not use or copy Elli's photos without her permission.Aug 13, 2010

Training Camp - August 6, 20101314 viewsPhoto by Elli L.Aug 13, 2010

Training Camp - August 8, 20101470 viewsPhoto taken by Sarah.Aug 11, 2010

August 1, 2010 - Training Camp1971 viewsBen poses with Alyssa.

Erin,

After a long 4-hour trip with my mom and brother, we finally made it to our very first Steelers training camp. We picked a spot on the hill and practice finally started to take place. After practice was just about over, I was thinking if I would actually have the chance to meet a Steelers player. Unfortunately, I started seeing all of the players being carted off of the field.

Just before we were about to call it a day, we saw a crowd of people and saw that Ben was signing autographs. My brother and I rushed over just to get a glimpse. After almost being completely consumed by the huge crowd of fans, my brother was able to get his autograph. Not having anything for him to sign, i just wanted a picture with him. I patiently waited as he signed autographs and took pictures with the fans. When it finally came to my turn, Ben heard me quietly ask for a picture.

He truly could not have been not only nice to me, but to everyone. He made my first trip to Steelers training camp a memory I will never forget.

*Thank you to Allyssa C.

*Please do NOT use or copy Allyssa's photo without her permission.

Aug 10, 2010

Training Camp, 20081510 viewsLisa Konstanzer wanted to share her photo of Ben taken during the summer of 2008.

Thank you Lisa!

*click on photos for larger versions.Aug 09, 2010

Training Camp - August 4, 20101396 viewsPhoto: Billie Jo

*click on photos for larger versions.Aug 07, 2010

Training Camp - August 4, 20101592 viewsPhoto: Billie Jo

*Please do not use/copy any of Billie Jo's photos without her permission.Aug 07, 2010

Training Camp - August 4, 20101385 viewsPhoto: Billie JoAug 07, 2010

Training Camp - August 4, 20101425 viewsBillie Jo said the little girl in the photo above was supposed to hand Ben her little football, but she suddenly threw him a pass instead, which he caught...and then laughed.

Her email is below:

Erin,

I have been sitting here trying to put into words how awesome Steelers Training Camp was for me, just sitting there watching these guys practice was such an amazing feeling, especially Big Ben...I have been a Roethlisberger fan since he was drafted into the NFL and I knew that he was going to be the young man that would take us to another Super Bowl - and look! he gave us two so far, so to be there and only be 10 steps from him was incredible. Watching him on the field laughing and joking with his teammates was awesome, and seeing first-hand how the fans reacted was even better. There was so many people wearing Roethlisberger Jerseys, as he would take a snap the crowd just cheered, it really made feel so proud to be a fan, especially after Ben's fear of being booed.

However, all these moments of watching Ben on the field were pretty special, but I think the most memorable moment was when this little boy, about 5-years old came running up the hill, holding his football in both hands, spinning in circles, screaming over and over again, "Big Ben signed my football!". This was something I will never forget, just seeing the joy on that little boy's face was priceless and to know that our QB made that happen was even better.

There is one last thing I want to share... I attend the late night practice at Latrobe High School Football Stadium tonight and I just wanted everyone to know that so many people where cheering for Ben and at one point, while several us where yelling his name he looked up with this smile and gives us a wave, that is a memory that I will always cherish.

Always and forever a Roethlisberger Fan...

Billie Jo

*Please do not use/copy any of Billie Jo's photos without her permission.Aug 07, 2010

August 1, 20101407 views- "Roethlisberger just took off his shoe, signed it and handed to a young boy. Then repeated it with the other shoe." -- Tweets from the New York Post's Bart Hubbuch.

And from an article in USA Today:

Once practice ended, fans clamoring to get his signature knocked down a mesh plastic security fence near the Chuck Noll Field grandstands.

Roethlisberger, noticing one youngster getting shoved aside, took off one of his practice shoes, signed it and gave it to 8-year-old Micah Delattre of Houtzdale, Pa.

â€œEveryone was pushing me and I was crying and he just gave it to me,â€ Delattre said.Aug 04, 2010

First day of camp - July 31, 20101440 viewsFrom fan Tracy Pruden:

Good Morning Erin!

Had a wonderful weekend in Pittsburgh. Seeing Ben come out and practice made the 6-hour drive worth it. He looked great and refreshed. I was happy to hear and see all the fans cheering his name. I was able to get a high-five and an autograph from him. He's such a sweetheart, signing autographs, talking and taking pictures with the fans. He was standing right in front of me signing autographs and I wanted so bad to say something to him but the words wouldn't come out. All I could do was smile. He stepped in a small water puddle while shoeless and ask if anyone had a size 14 shoe they could lone him and my hubby took his shoe off and said to Ben, "I got a size 15 you can have", Ben chuckled.

I purchased a 2011 Steelers Team calendar which several of the guys signed for me. I was able to get Hines and Ben's autograph for their specific month. What a way to kick off the 2011 year then with Mr.January aka Ben Roethlisberger.

This was our second year in a row attending training camp and as far as Ben goes, nothing has changed. He's still a great guy and a people pleaser. I want people to know how humble he is. He doesn't mind signing autographs or taking pictures for the fans. He was one of the last players to leave the practice field on Saturday evening from signing all the autographs. He did all he could to sign every autograph request. I could name a few players that didn't even acknowledge the fans.

I figured certain individuals would say that Ben was doing all the autograph signing and picture-taking to get "in good" with the public. BUT, that is not the case. Ben didn't start mingling with the public overnight, he's been doing it. As I said, I was at training camp in August of last year and watched Ben sign autographs and give fans high-fives. I also saw him address the media with a smile on his face as he answered their pointless questions.

*Thank you so much to Tracy (and her husband for snapping the photo!)Aug 03, 2010

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