Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger Announces Nashville K-9 Grant

Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger Announces Nashville K-9 Grant
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Findlay, Ohio native and Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger announced today the eighth grant in the 2008 grant cycle of the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund. The grant will be distributed to the Franklin Police Department K-9 Unit in Franklin, Tennessee. The Franklin Police Department is located approximately seventeen miles south of Nashville, TN. The department is seeking financial assistance for the purchase of a special trailer that will enable all the dogs to be transported at one time. The trailer will enable the dogs to respond to critical incidents as a group.
 
This NFL seasonThe Ben Roethlisberger Foundationwill be distributing grants to Police and Fire Departments in Pittsburgh and in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away opponent for the Steelers in 2008. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation invited police and fire departments in the eight cities to submit proposals detailing their needs.
 
In commenting on why the mission of the foundation is so important to him, Roethlisberger said, "Last year it was an honor and a privilege to work with police and fire departments in and around the Pittsburgh area as well as with others around the country.  We have had the opportunity to see first-hand how important the dogs are to these men and women who risk their lives every day to protect us.  It's incredible to see the strong bond that is formed between the dogs and their partners both on the job and at home. "
 
 "The Franklin Police Department's K-9 Unit is extremely appreciative to have been selected as the recipient of this grant," said Lieutenant Carl Smith who heads the Department's Special Operations Section.  "The money will be used to purchase a climate controlled trailer that can transport multiple canines at the same time.  We're currently transporting one dog per vehicle, which is particularly problematic when transporting all four of our dogs to a training exercise or competition.  The new trailer will help save money during these tough economic times."
 
The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation seeks to provide support for police and fire departments throughout the US and to enhance the quality of life for residents of Findlay, OH and Pittsburgh, PA.
 
 
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*About Ben Roethlisberger
 
Ben Roethlisberger is in his fifth season as quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and already has secured his place in the record books. At 6 foot 5 and 245 pounds, he is aptly referred to as Big Ben, and has become known for big performances and a humble approach. In 2006, Big Ben became the youngest starting quarterback ever to win a Super Bowl, defeating the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 in Detroit. In the process, the Steelers became the first team to win three playoff games on the road. Ben's record as a starter in his first two seasons was an astonishing 27-4, and he is the only quarterback to lead his team to the conference championship game in each of his first two seasons. He was the unanimous Rookie of the Year in 2004, breaking Dan Marino's rookie records for completion percentage and passer rating, and was the first quarterback in NFL history to compile a 13-0 record in the regular season.
 
Ben was raised in Findlay, Ohio and was a three sport star at Findlay High School. He went on to set nearly every quarterback record at Miami University (Ohio) prior to foregoing his senior season and becoming the 11th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2004 NFL Draft. Ben resides near Pittsburgh with his two dogs, Zeus and Hercules. His parents, Ken and Brenda Roethlisberger, continue to reside in Findlay, OH and his sister Carlee is attending the University of Oklahoma on a basketball scholarship.