Fan Photos/Fan Stories

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Steeler Nation Family542 viewsThat's Mike Mazanowski the middle, wearing LaMarr Woodley's jersey, and his dad, Big Mike wearing Big Ben's jersey, brother Joe, and sister's Lisa and Steph!

Sent via Twitter (@A_Maz_ed)

August 4, 2011 - Training Camp1982 viewsLexi meets Ben.

"I was trying to get Pouncey's autograph when I saw Ben walking over. I walked over closer to where Ben was walking to and I got a spot right in front. I was patiently waiting my turn and then I felt this huge swarm of people behind me pushing me into the little fence. It felt like it was going to rip. The staff guy kept saying "stop pushing, he will get to you." Ben was right in front of me and I said 'Hi Ben, can I please get a picture with you?'

'He said, 'Sure, but let's take it as I sign things here. Just let me know when you're ready.' While he signed some more, I was trying to find someone to take our picture since my sister was behind the huge crowd and finally this nice guy behind me said he'd take it. Ben came back over and we took the picture. I then asked him if he could sign my jersey when he got a chance. He came over and signed the sleeve of my jersey really slowly lol. I said 'thank you so much!' and he looked right at me and smiled and said, 'You ARE welcome.' I can't believe I finally got to meet him. He was so sweet and probably signed for about 20 minutes and then went over and took pictures with all of these kids that were on the field."

*Thank you Lexi!

You can also check out the color photos that Lexi took in this album!

**To see the photos in the proper order, just click on "last uploads" at the top of the gallery.

It's a Sullivan family thing!450 viewsWe love our Steelers! -- Melissa Sullivan

July 31, 2017 - Training Camp497 viewsMichael Coates @Coates_Burghfan
What an incredible day. On the field for @steelers practice thanks to @SteelersUnite & the ultimate pro @_BigBen7 staying late signing!

Michael Garibay625 views...sent this photo via Twitter to thank Ben for stopping to pose and he said he wants Ben to, "Heal up quick!".

Big Ben look-a-like?894 viewsEileen Ramos says that her big, strong, handsome brother, Michael Maluk, has been told more than once that he resembles Big Ben! So she got him to take a photo of himself and send it in!

What do you think Steeler Nation?

*Click on any photo to see a larger version!

Michele and Xavier Smolin958 viewsHere we are in Cleveland Heights - the city Ben just donated a police dog!

Hang tough, Ben!

July 27, 2012 - Jeffrey Metz887 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)....

July 27, 2012 - Jeffrey Metz895 views...As Ben continued to move down the row, Jeffrey turned around, hugged me, and started to cry. Then I started to cry. Others around us had tears in their eyes. Suddenly, Ben came back to Jeffrey, looking concerned, and asked him what was wrong? Jeffrey told Ben he had come a long way on crutches to meet his hero! At that point Ben reached down and took off his right shoe, signed it, and gave it to Jeffrey. Ben then asked us where we were parked and how Jeffrey was going to get back up there. We didn't know.

Ben then ordered a golf cart and then HE got in the drivers seat and drove us up the hill to our car in the parking lot! Once we got up there, Ben walked Jeffrey to our car and stayed for a few minutes to chat and pose for more photos before saying goodbye...

(Ben poses with Justin, Jeffrey and Mickey Metz in the parking lot of St. Vincent College)

July 27, 2012 - Jeffrey Metz872 views...Jeffrey calls his experience with Ben "A miracle in Pennsylvania"! Later that night, Jeffrey took his shoe into the Mt Pleasant Dairy Queen to show all the employees what Ben gave him. The manager even posted a photo of Jeffrey with Ben's shoe on Facebook . Many family, friends, and even strangers have heard this story and everyone has gotten both chills and tears in their eyes.

The shoe has already traveled to Richmond, VA for a visit, and the next stop is Disney World, because Jeffrey wants to share it with Mickey Mouse. Jeffrey says he just wants to make a difference in this world and for some one to hear him, and on Friday July 27, 2012, the one person Jeffrey journeyed 4,200 miles to see in person did hear him ... and that was Ben Roethlisberger.

Ben's kindness brought joy to Jeffrey's daily struggles and made him forget them for one day. Jeffrey says it was the best day of his life. Thank you for allowing me to share this story, this memory will never end!

(Jeffrey poses with his cousin Joshua and his autographed Big Ben shoe)

Story & photos: Mickey Metz

August 3, 2012 - The "Ben shoe journey"603 viewsMickey Mouse is only too happy to sign Big Ben's jersey, at the request of Jeffrey Metz! You can read his story here in the album or here:

http://bigben7.com/a-special-fan-friday/

*Thank you to Mickey Metz and his nephew, Jeffrey!

August 3, 2012 - "The Ben shoe journey"614 viewsAfter meeting Ben at training camp and receiving an autographed Nike from him before they left, Jeffrey Metz insisted he was going to take his new prized possession with him to Disney World and pose with Mickey Mouseâ€¦and the shoe! Jeffrey is a man of his word! After returning to his uncleâ€™s home in Orlando, Jeffrey took an unscheduled visit to Disney World.

You can read his fan story here in the gallery, or here:

http://bigben7.com/a-special-fan-friday/

Photo: Mickey Metz

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Big Ben 7

www.bigben7.com The Official Fan Site