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Ben Roethlisberger grew up in a sports family, and now he’s raising his own.
The franchise quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Roethlisberger has been with one team his entire career. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Roethlisberger, who weathered controversy early in his career, but Big Ben has always had the support of his family.
Here’s what you need to know about the Roethlisberger clan:
1. Ben’s Dad Was an Outstanding Athlete That Pitched at Georgia Tech
“My dad is my hero…I am very lucky to grow up with the father I have.” — Ben. http://t.co/mYT8fP60Ul #FathersDay http://t.co/JNRAJK3qil
Ben grew up in Lima, Ohio, before moving to Findlay. Down the road in Elida, it was Ken Roethlisberger breaking records as an athlete. Ken was a three-sport star at Elida High School, and was eventually named to the Elida High School Hall of Fame. Upon graduating in 1974, Ken accepted a scholarship to play football at Georgia Tech.
Ken played quarterback for two years, but knee injuries ended his football career. For his last two years of school, Ken was a pitcher for the Yellow Jacket’s baseball team. Today, Ken runs the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, which supports police and fire departments nationwide with an emphasis on service dogs.
2. Ben’s Mother Passed Away When He Was Eight Years Old
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Ken’s first wife, Ida, was also an outstanding athlete at Elida. The two were married, and Ben was born in 1982. Two years later, Ken and Ida divorced. Ida would pick Ben up on weekends, and she loved taking her son to the skating rink on Saturdays.
Ken had already remarried, and Ben was playing with stepmother Brenda Roethlisberger the day of the incident. Ida was picking up Ben for the weekend when a pickup truck hit her car and sent her to the hospital. She died from her injuries.
During Media Day for Super Bowl XL, Roethlisberger talked about his experience:
“Anytime you’re a kid and your parent passes, it’s tough,” Ben said. “I was truly blessed to have my father and stepmom, who I call ‘Mom’ now, to be there loving me.”
Over his heart, Ben has a tattoo of the Chinese symbol for “mother.”
3. Ben’s Sister Played Basketball at Oklahoma
Wanted to share as a proud sis! — @C_Roeth107 #MACHOF http://t.co/jlf5c2FXaH
Roethlisberger was a three-sport star in high school, but he wasn’t the only one bringing college scouts to Findaly. His younger sister, Carlee Roethlisberger, was one of Ohio’s top basketball players before committing to Oklahoma.
Listed as a 6’1″ forward, Roethlisebger was a key role player as an underclassmen. In total Carlee made 53 starts, including starting every game of her senior season. She finished as a member of the All-Big 12 Academic team, and left Oklahoma after four seasons.
Five years after her last season as a Sooner, Carlee is back in college sports. Early in 2016 she enrolled at Irvine Valley College, and became a member of the school’s beach volleyball team. Carlee was an outstanding volleyball player in high school, and fielded offers from Nebraska and Minnesota before settling on basketball.
4. Ben & Wife Ashley Were Married in 2011
#TBT – July 13, 2013: Ben & Ashley with @garthbrooks at his @teammates4kids Appreciation Party. @FootballMom_99 http://t.co/DKaqVY7bCt
Backstage at #SteelersStyle w/Big Ben & family, courtesy of @RonOBMD: http://t.co/4UmF4qlQ7f http://t.co/cO2tJfjNl8
After a rocky personal start as an NFL pro, Ben’s marriage was the start of a turnaround. He married Ashley Harlan, originally from New Castle, PA, in July of 2011.
Roethlisberger struggled with his instant fame as Steelers quarterback, and lived a bachelor’s life before meeting Ashley. Before getting married, the couple did not live together, which Ben told reporters was for religious reasons.
Little was known about Ashley before the marriage, and the Roethlisberger family still prefers a private life. Ashley started the change in Roethlisberger to family man, the couple has been happy ever since.
“People will always have opinions of everybody and me, and that’s fine, they’re entitled,” Roethlisberger said in 2011. “But people who know her, know me, know us . . . people can say that it is whatever, but people who know and can see and are around us and know me, know that it’s something special when you find that person, and I’m extremely lucky.”
5. Ben’s Third Child, Bodie, Was Born in 2016
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Once married life started and Ashley moved in, the Roethlisberger’s started their family. Benjamin Jr. was born in November of 2012, and their first daughter, Baylee, was born in March of 2014. The most recent addition, Bodie, was born in May 2016.
With a house full of kids, Roethlisberger has been asked about his decision to allow his children to play football. He stated that while he won’t force his kids into anything, he hopes they choose golf: a much safer sport that Ben loves.
“If they want to [play football, that’s fine],” Roethlisberger told Dan Patrick. “I’m not going to tell them they can’t. I will encourage my kids to do whatever they want to do and love to do, and I will help them with whatever it is. Hopefully it’s golf, though.”