No. 7 still No. 1 in their hearts
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger participated last week in what is fast becoming another of his annual rites of spring: A visit to the South Fayette School District.
After being welcomed with open black and gold -- and green and white --arms by the student body last May, Roethlisberger visited South Fayette Elementary School on June 3 to thank students for selling his signature BBQ sauce to raise money for Ronald McDonald House charities.
Since last fall, students have been selling bottles of Big Ben's BBQ Sauce in an effort to be named a top seller and have an opportunity to meet the Super Bowl XL winner and receive an autographed football.
Topping the sales charts in the elementary grade levels were Colin and Riley Martincic and Jacob Roth.
Students who sold more than $500, including Emma Neel, Nathan Weir, Connor Mislan, Faith Falick, Abigail Strittmatter, were also treated to a group photo with "Big Ben."
"You guys are famous," Roethlisberger told the students as they posed.
Roethlisberger said he took a bit of a "ribbing" --no pun intended --from his grid iron teammates about starting his BBQ sauce venture. But the taste soon won them over.
"Once they tried it, they all loved it."
He also encourages young people to get involved in charity efforts and help those who are less fortunate.
"Not everyone can be as blessed as everyone else."
Other thoughts from "Big Ben":
• Who was your role model?
"My role model growing up was my father. He was an athlete and played football, basketball and baseball."
• What makes Pittsburgh a special place to play football?
"There's a genuine caring attitude people have toward each other."
• Have you been watching the Pittsburgh Penguins' playoff run?
"Who hasn't?"
• Do you think winning can be contagious among Pittsburgh's teams?
"Hopefully (the Penguins) can win it this year and we can do it again."
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