Steelers Daily Links: Ward on First Coaching Season; Ben on Crash

The Athletic: Steelers legend Hines Ward spoke with Chris Vannini of The Athletic on what he learned from his first year as the XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas’ head coach.

? Footbahlin podcast: Ben Roethlisberger’s motorcycle accident in June of 2006 came up when speaking with his former head coach Bill Cowher.

“I think I just said, ‘You’re gonna be alright. We’re gonna take care of you’ and then I remember walking away saying, ‘Alright, I’m going to yell at him,'” Cowher said. Roethlisberger wasn’t wearing a helmet, something that Cowher advised him not to do repeatedly. Terry Bradshaw told him to wear a helmet, as well.

“I remember just telling your dad, ‘This might be the best thing to ever happen to him,'” Cowher reflected.

Roethlisberger had seven hours of surgery to repair a broken jaw and other facial bones. He played in 2006 but it was the worst season of his career, throwing 18 touchdowns to 23 interceptions. The Steelers finished 8-8 after a 2-6 start. Cowher thought the Steelers had a good chance to win the Super Bowl in back-to-back years if they had a healthy Roethlisberger.

? Former Steelers inside linebacker Ryan Shazier revealed the proudest moment of his career to The Players’ Tribune. For Shazier, it was “just being good enough” in multiple facets.

?The Athlete Tweets Twitter account posted a throwback video of Le’Veon Bell when he was in his prime. From 2014-17, Bell was truly one of the best in the business.

? Happy 37th Birthday to former Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons, born on this date, May 14, 1986, in Florence, South Carolina.

The team’s first-round pick out of Florida State in the 2007 NFL Draft, Timmons played 10 seasons in Pittsburgh, eight as the team’s primary starting inside linebacker. He earned one All-Pro and Pro Bowl season in 2014 and was part of the Super Bowl XLIII squad following the 2008 season.

Timmons played one season with Miami before retiring from football in 2018. He made a $500,000 donation to his high school in 2020.

? On this date, May 14, 1976, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed running back Tommy Reamon. Reamon was drafted by the Steelers in 1974, but he turned down the Black and Gold to play in the World Football League with the Florida Blazers. He was WFL MVP in 1974, then moved on to play with the Jacksonville Express in 1975. After that season, the WFL folded and Reamon finally signed with the Steelers.

But his time in Pittsburgh was short lived. After scoring a touchdown in a preseason game against a college football all-star team, the Steelers traded Remaon to the Kansas City Chiefs. He played one season in K.C. and then one in the CFL before retiring and taking up coaching. He has coached several high schools near his hometown of Newport News, Virginia. He is set to coach for Denbigh High School this fall.

AROUND THE NETWORK

Pittsburgh Sports Now: Central Catholic linebacker Cole Sullivan has committed to Michigan.

West Virginia Sports Now: Former WVU running back Leddie Brown had two touchdowns for Arlington in the XFL title game.

Nittany Sports Now: Former Penn State center Brenton Strange has signed his rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Penguins center Nick Bonino led Team USA to a 7-1 World Championships win over Hungary.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The Pirates wasted Roansy Contreras’ gem, losing 2-0 to the Baltimore Orioles.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now: The Riverhounds are riding high after a 2-1 win over the Birmingham Legions.