2012 Ben Roethlisberger Football Camp928 views Ben and Brett Keisel.
Photo: MIchele Rodi
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July 27, 2012 - Jeffrey Metz928 views This is a story about a young man and his courage. Jeffrey Metz was born in San Diego, CA with cerebral palsy. My name is Mickey Metz, Jeffrey's uncle. I'm originally from the north side of Pittsburgh, but have been living in Orlando, FL since 1985. We have family in Mt. Pleasant, PA so I decided to invite Jeffrey to go on a road trip to Steelers training camp with me, my son, and my brother. His parents were reluctant to allow him to fly by himself to Orlando because of his physical disability, but Jeffrey won out and flew from Bakersfield, CA to our home in Orlando to start the road trip to Pennsylvania. He flew 3,000 miles and rode for 1,200 miles.
Friday, July 27, 2012, the first day of camp open for the public was the day that changed Jeffrey's life forever.
We arrived at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA at noon. Upon arriving I sought out several staff members to see if there was any assistance (a wheelchair) for Jeffrey to get to the playing fields and unfortunately they couldn't provide any. We weren't sure how to get Jeffrey down the hillside from the handicap parking lot but Jeffrey knew the only chance he had to meet his favorite player, Ben Roethlisberger, was to climb down all the steps to the playing field. So even with a major fear of steps, he made it to the bottom - one slow step at a time, with crutches, to watch the players on the field.
After practice, Jeffrey climbed down the few remaining steps to the field level in hopes that Ben would notice him wearing his #7 jersey. However, Ben walked the opposite way from us to the other side of the grandstand to sign autographs. Still determined, Jeffrey climbed back up the stairs, walked to the other side and then back down the steps to the side where Ben was. Unfortunately, by this time Ben was already a distance away from where Jeffery was. Other fans noticed Jeffrey and his obvious desire to get Ben's attention, so they started chanting, "Ben, Ben, Ben", but Ben didn't realize what was happening, so he just smiled at the fans and kept moving down the line signing more autographs. Jeffrey was not giving up! He walked along the hillside around another large group of fans to get along the fence in hopes that Ben would still be signing at the end of that row where he now stood.
Ben finally reached Jeffrey and signed his football. He also stopped to take a photo with Jeffrey (above)....
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April, 2016 - Wyatt Sheehan928 viewsWyatt received one of Ben's "Steelers Gold Foil" cleats. You can tell by the size of that smile on his face that he delighted!
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January 27, 2018 - A "knight" to remember...928 viewsDilly Dilly!
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November 14, 2004927 views
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April 19, 2010 - OTA's927 views
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December 5, 2010 - Steelers vs. Ravens927 views
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July 30, 2011927 viewsPhoto: AP
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Pre-Season, Game 3 - Steelers @ Bills927 viewsPhoto: AP
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Pre-Season Game - August 24, 2013: Chiefs vs Steelers927 viewsBen takes off to avoid the Chiefs' Tamba Hali.
Photo: Justin K. Aller
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August 16, 2014 - Pre-Season Game against Buffalo Bills927 viewsPhoto: Dr. Ronald Cypher
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September 7, 2014 - Browns vs. Steelers927 viewsBen shakes hands with Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel after the Steelers 30-27 win. Manziel did not see action in the game.
Photo: Gene J. Puskar/AP
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