Roethlisberger to donate NFL playoff check to tsunami relief(Steelers)

[RamboLiberal]

Wow - even the Steeler's rookie QB is donating more than Bush! Go Steelers

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05011/440620.stm

Ben Roethlisberger has surprised his Pittsburgh Steelers' teammates many times during his unbeaten rookie season. He did so again today, announcing he'll donate his first NFL playoff paycheck to the tsunami victims relief effort.

Even on a team that openly encourages its players to participate in charity activities and community events, Roethlisberger's $18,000 gesture before Saturday's Jets-Steelers game created a positive stir.

"Wow, I didn't even know that," wide receiver Hines Ward said. "Guys do a lot of different things in different ways that people don't always hear about, but that's great -- that's for a great cause, definitely. That's a big tragedy, and I hope everyone will at least donate (something)."

[neuvocat]

1. I like him.

eom

[Philly Buster]

6. Steeler fans have been waiting a long time for a good QB

to be drafted.

Kordell went downhill fast and Tommy was never going to be the future.

Plus Big Ben is a class act.

[Alex146]

2. Wow, this guy is a class act

If the jets don't beat them I hope they win the superbowl.

[rurallib]

3. I s this the guy with "PFJ" on his shoes?

Stands for "playing for Jesus". Well could this be someone putting their money where their mouth is?

[nixonwasbetterthanW]

7. I don't think so ...

... Roethlisberger is Jewish.

[HuckleB]

8. No, he's the PFJ guy.

The NFL made him stop writing it on his shoes back in December.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

4. These guys are millionaires

big whoop. 18,000 will make a nice tax deduction for this guy..

[SmileyBoy]

5. We're feeling very cynical today, aren't we???

[Divernan]

11. Steelers are known for very strong support for the community.

They may make a lot of money for a few years, but they are only one bad injury away from zilch. Franco Harris was a notorious soft touch for many of his relatives and even his former classmates at Penn State. Going into his last year with the Steelers', he had next to nothing put away. (I know from working on his contract negotiations). He is a prince of a guy and has remained in the community and will always come through when you ask him to help out a charity.

If you can't see the good in Ben's donation, I feel very sorry for you.

[RamboLiberal]

27. Franco is a great guy - loved seeing him campaign for Kerry

this year. And a big boo to Lynn Swann for fronting for the Chimp!

I have no idea what Big Ben's politics are - but this is a nice gesture. I hope he's not a fundie repug.

So far I think he's handled himself well and I admire how cool he is as a QB and how tough. Looks like the Steelers have finally found a QB that may outdo Bradshaw.

[neuvocat]

14. You want him to give it to the Swift Boat Vets instead?

That's still 18 grand more than what those people had.

[PittPoliSci]

19. Considering he's probably not a millionaire yet...

I still think it's a great gesture.

[RawMaterials]

22. Roethlisberger's first-year salary will be the minimum of $230,000

First-round draft pick Ben Roethlisberger reached terms Tuesday on a six-year contract worth as much as $40 million with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The deal, reached following lengthy talks that began Monday morning and extended into Tuesday morning, includes a Steelers club record $9,009,000 bonus that will be paid in signing and option bonuses of $600,000, $1,172,000 and $7,237,000 between now and March 1, 2005, the Associated Press learned.

Roethlisberger's first-year salary will be the minimum of $230,000.

http://www.xposed.com/sports/football/steelers_reach_te...

I think he will hit all the requirements for his bonuses.

[RawMaterials]

24. updated salary

On top of his $9 million signing bonus and $230,000 base salary, he has pulled in $975,000 for taking 80 percent of the snaps, $300,000 each for finishing in the top five in passer rating (fifth, 98.1 percent) and passing percentage (tied for fourth, 66.4 percent). He also gets a one-time bonus of $283,500 for finishing with a pass completion percentage higher than 62.3.

He also made $125,000 for Wednesday's award, and could make another $125,000 for the all-rookie team.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2005/01/0...

I don't think 18000 would help his taxes that much, he is way away from getting down to a lower tax bracket

[RawMaterials]

20. Its the rough equivalent of someone who makes

40000 giving 550 $ thats more then allot of people are giving.

[JohnKleeb]

23. Hes actually not a millionaire being a rookie

[driver8]

9. I knew there was a reason I liked this guy...

I am not a Steeler's fan, but I have been following Roethlisberger all season. Maybe some of his teammates will follow his lead. My wife will be happy to hear this -- she loves this guy!! (She knows NOTHING about football).

[HuckleB]

10. Yes, wouldn't it be nice...

if the players on all eight remaining playoff teams followed suit? Perhaps the NFL could match the donations of the players.

I hate to be cynical, but the marketing/PR bonus for the NFL would likely more than pay for those donations. So it would be the right thing to do, and a smart thing to do, business wise.

[MrSlayer]

12. $8,000 more than The Chimp.

Good for him.

[captainslack]

13. Now there's an athlete

you can use as a role model! Keep it up, Big Ben!!!

[MalachiConstant]

15. all tickets (aside from season ticket holders,

there seats were already taken) all tickets to the patriots game this sunday are on sale for 1000$ each and 100% of the proceeds go to the tsunami relief effort.

[TOhioLiberal]

16. Love this man...

...and he's a native son.

[leesa]

17. OK. But BFD. Why is he making so much damn money for nothing??

[montana_hazeleyes]

18. I think

it's a wonderful thing he's done and it sets a good example.

[JohnKleeb]

21. I love his way of play but I am glad hes a good guy too

[KDLarsen]

25. Don't know if this made any kind of news in the US..

.. but the Vikings' kicker Morten Andersen (yes, the slippity-slide guy in Sundays game) donated 3 shirts & a custom made kickers shoe for a charity auction held in Denmark on Saturday (which raised 40 million DKK). The 3 shirts (one of his own, one of Randy Moss' & one of Daunte Culpepper's) along with the kickers shoe raised 112.000 DKK, roughly 20.000$. Each shirt was signed by the player who wore them in Sundays game.

So, good on both of them!

[ohtransplant]

26. Good example for the rest of the NFL

and all professional athletes for that matter.

Here we go Stillers, Here we go!


One for the thumb!