Kids Hone Football Skills At Annual Ben Roethlisberger Summer Camp
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Dozens of kids are kicking off their summer break this weekend with a little football.
This is the eighth year of the Ben Roethlisberger Football Camp. And tor the nearly 400 kids in attendance this weekend, it's a chance to hone their football skills, and of course, meet Big Ben.
KDKA's Lisa Washington Reports:
Donning their gray tee-shirts and oblivious to the rain, the campers were anxious to get on the field at Seneca Valley High School Saturday morning for football drills.
"Catching the ball, protecting the quarterback and doing defense," said Damiano Sims, of Beaver Falls.
"Learning how to catch, throw, and staying inbounds and stuff like that," added Luke Siliano, of Cranberry.
The boys and girls worked with area coaches.
"It just lets me show that girls can do anything, and that they can throw hard because boys just overestimate girls and say that they can't do what they can do," said Riley Brogdon, who came all the way from Ashland, Kentucky, for the camp.
The highlight of the camp is the opportunity to meet and be coached by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger.
"Because you get to meet Ben Roethlisberger and he's a really good quarterback for the Steelers," said Caleb Robinson, of Pittsburgh.
For some, this is a field of dreams.
"I would like to play for the Steelers and I would like to play running back," said one camper.
WEB EXTRA: Ben Roethlisberger One-On-One:
And that's why Ben is here.
"I didn't go to camps when I was younger, didn't have the opportunity for whatever it was, so that's one of the reasons I do this, so kids can have an opportunity that I didn't; and hopefully, we'll get some future footballers out of this," said Roethlisberger.
As for the upcoming season, the Steelers quarterback says it's time to get back to work.
"Getting back into it, getting some pads on and playing some football," said Roethlisberger. "It's unbelievable how fast the off season goes, but I think, I know the fans are ready for the season to start and we're ready as well."
KDKA's Rick Dayton Reports:
He also had a few words for the rookies headed to Latrobe in July.
"They are in for a rude awakening because they all think they are ready to go, but it's not easy, so I think for guys on offense and defense trying to learn the plays, trying to learn what they are supposed to be doing and trying to find a spot," said Roethlisberger.
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