IZ (my named A I - yes I have issues) refreshed my memory on the subject, “The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation started its K-9 mission after a police dog was shot and killed in his hometown of Findlay, Ohio, in 2006. That hit Ben personally because he had a strong love of dogs and a lot of respect for police and first responders. He stepped in to help the department get a replacement dog.
- His foundation began funding police and fire K-9 units around the country.
- It helped pay for dogs, training, vehicles, protective equipment, veterinary care and other K-9 expenses.
- For a period, they intentionally supported a department in Pittsburgh and communities around the cities where the Steelers played road games.
- By the end of the program, the foundation had distributed more than $2.3 million, with nearly $2 million specifically benefiting K-9 programs.
And there was one especially meaningful Pittsburgh example: K-9 Rocco, who was killed in the line of duty in 2014. Ben was so affected by Rocco’s death that his foundation purchased a new K-9, Beny, for Rocco’s handler, Officer Phil Lerza. Ben specifically said Rocco couldn’t be replaced, but hoped the new dog would help Officer Lerza and his family heal.
The reason Ben gave for continuing the program was pretty straightforward: he admired the bond between the dogs and their handlers and felt that the people doing that dangerous work didn’t get enough recognition. He said if he could do even a little to help, he was happy to do it.
Penn Hills Police Department received a Roethlisberger Foundation K-9 grant that helped bring its K-9 division back up to four teams. The chief said all four of their K-9s were Roethlisberger grant dogs. “
My two and a half cents:
Your generalized assessment of donations I am sure is pretty accurate but in Big Ben’s case there was a passion involved. Ben has his fair share of criticism in the past for his off the field behavior but in this case his love for his donations were genuine.
