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Benjamin Todd “Ben” Roethlisberger (born March 2, 1982), nicknamed Big Ben, is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the first round (11th overall) in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Miami University (Oxford, Ohio).
Roethlisberger earned the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2004 and his first Pro Bowl selection in 2007. He became the youngest Super Bowl-winning quarterback in NFL history, helping lead the Steelers, in his second professional season, to a 21–10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL at the age of 23. Roethlisberger led the Steelers to a second Super Bowl title in four seasons as they defeated the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, 27–23, after completing a game-winning touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes in the final 35 seconds. Roethlisberger has been one of the most efficient passers in NFL history. He currently ranks 10th all-time in NFL passer rating (92.9), 5th in yards per attempt (8.06), and 11th in completion percentage (63.24%) among quarterbacks with a minimum of 1,500 career attempts. He has the fourth highest career winning percentage (.710) as a starter in the regular season among quarterbacks with a minimum of 100 starts. Known for playing outside the quarterback pocket in what he calls “backyard football”, Roethlisberger also grew up idolizing Pittsburgh area native Joe Montana. Roethlisberger wears number 7 in John Elway’s honor. This painting is traditional oils on Ampersand Gessobord Masonite. The finished size is 20″ x 16″. Original is SOLD Write-up courtesy of Wikipedia. |
Archive for the ‘Steelers’ Category
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This is Pittsburgh Steeler Defensive End, Brett Keisel from Greybull, Wyoming. I posed him where he hunts, which is up on the famous Carter Mountain Range. This is located right above where we live in Cody, Wyoming. He and his father Lane, have hunted this area for many years. Matter of fact, this is the very area that I hunt as well. It’s absolute God’s Country with a view that is second to none!
Around Brett’s neck is a grizzly bear claw necklace along with turquoise and bone necklaces as well. He is holding an original “Lancaster” muzzleloader rifle that was made in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It is almost 200 years old. This painting is traditional oils on museum-grade Masonite. The finished size is 18″ x 24″. Original has been sold. One little side note, if you look close, you will see a small pair of buffalo tracks after my signature. This is to commemorate Brett’s High School mascot and my company name. I want to thank Brett for allowing me to paint his image. Also, I want to thank my wife Leigh, for taking her valuable time to photograph all the work in progress images of this painting. Please check out the other portrait that I did of Brett as a Pittsburgh Steeler, titled “:09 Seconds Remaining.” Original has been sold. |
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Keisel was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round (242nd overall) in the 2002 NFL Draft. In his rookie year he made five appearances making four tackles. In 2003 he was on the injured list for the entire season after undergoing surgery on a shoulder injury. He returned in the 2004 season with 13 appearances and nine tackles. The following year, he appeared in all 16 games recording 33 tackles and three sacks, the first of his NFL career. After the departure of Kimo von Oelhoffen via free agency for the New York Jets in March 2006, Brett signed a new four year contract with the Steelers worth a reported 14 million dollars. That season he won the 1st team position at right defensive end and played in all 16 games making 55 tackles and 5.5 sacks, a career high. In 2007, he made 16 appearances recording 39 tackles and two sacks. On August 31, 2009, the Steelers signed Keisel to a new five-year contract worth $18.885 million and includes a $5 million signing bonus. In 2010, Keisel was added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster for the first time in his career.
“The Beard” Write-up courtesy of Wikipedia. The piece is traditional oils on the Ampersand “Gessobord” Masonite. Measures 16″ x 20″ Original has been sold. Visit da beard. |
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L.C. Greenwood was part of the four Super Bowl teams from the 1970′s. He was also one of the original Steel Curtain members. L. C. was a 10th-round draft choice out of Arkansas AM&N in 1969 and became a starter in 1971 when he led the team in QB sacks with 8-1/2, the first of four times he accomplished this feat. He was second on the Steelers career sack list with 73-1/2. He was exceptionally quick and at 6′ 6-1/2″ was very difficult to block and with DT Joe Greene and LB Jam Ham formed an impregnable left side of the Steel Curtain. L. C. was a great big game player in Supper Bowl IX against Minnesota where he knocked down three of Fran Tarkenton’s passes. In Super Bowl X, he sacked Roger Staubach three times. Greenwood was named to the 1970′s NFL Team of Decade and was voted to more all NFL teams in the 1970′s than any other DE. L. C. was named to the Pro Bowl 6 times, a member of the 75th Silver Anniversary Super Bow Team, spent 13 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and was nominated to the Pro Football Hall of Fame 16 times.
L.C. was often seen sitting along the Steeler bench with the infamous towel over his head. But the thing that really made L.C. as a stand out other than his shear tenacity on the field was his Steeler gold shoes! You could pick him out anywhere on the playing field. By the NFL rules, a player cannot wear anything other than the team issued shoes. L.C. told me, back in the day, Nike paid the fines so he could wear those famous shoes. This is a commission piece that I did for Art Rooney, Jr., owner of the Steelers. Here is a photograph at the luncheon that Mr. Rooney had for L.C. and I. It was at the famous Piccolina’s Italian Restaurant in Pittsburgh. Mr. Rooney unveiled my new portraits of L.C. and Donnie Shell.
The painting was made into a collector card which is a limited edition of 1000.
The painting is traditional oils on Museum-grade Ampersand, Gessobord Masonite. The overall size is 16″ x 20″. This piece is SOLD. |
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Donnie Shell was part of the four Super Bowl teams from the 1970′s. He was also one of the original Steel Curtain members. Shell was one of the greatest undrafted free agents in NFL history. He came to the Steelers in 1974 after a stellar career at South Carolina State as a linebacker and safety. In his first three seasons, he was one of the best special teams players in the NFL. In 1977, he became a full-time starter and led the team in interceptions four times. Donnie was the first strong safety in NFL history to intercept 50 passes and still holds the NFL record for career interceptions with 51. During his 14 seasons, he made the Pro Bowl five consecutive times and was a standout on four Super Bowl winning teams. As a team captain, he was a great leader with his hard-hitting physical style of play. Donnie was nominated to the Pro Football Hall of Fame nine times.
This is a commission piece that I did for Art Rooney, Jr., owner of the Steelers. The painting was made into a collector card, which is a limited edition of 1000. The painting is traditional oils on Museum-grade Masonite. The overall size is 16″ x 20″. This piece is SOLD.
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In October 2009, Denny had the privilege of creating all the cover graphics for former Pittsburgh Steeler, Andy Russell’s new book titled Beyond The Goalpost. Denny’s oil painting of Andy was featured along with a photograph of Three Rivers Stadium taken by photographer, David B. King from Washington D.C. The foreword was written by the famous Hall of Fame member, running back and former Pittsburgh Steeler, Franco Harris.
The back cover features this famous photograph of Former Steeler Linebackers, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert and Andy Russell. This photograph was taken to showcase what is still an NFL Record. These three linebackers went to 24 Pro Bowls!
This is Andy’s third book. The inside front cover flap reads in his own words: Andy has always been attracted to athletic challenge, adventure and possibly even danger. In this book Andy tries to understand what it was that drove him as a young child, and to recall who were his mentors and especially ask himself why he was so driven to pursue what many would consider dangerous sporting activities – for example: professional football, mountain climbing, wilderness canoeing, cave exploring, and scuba diving. In some ways this book could be considered a biography as Andy tries to tell his children, grandchildren, dear friends and the Steelers Nation (fans/readers) how he thinks about life, how lucky he has been, and what a positive influence they have all been. If one can write his legacy this book would be his attempt to understand himself. Andy explains how football has been such a primary force in his life and he has included many stories about the Steelers amazing transformation from a consistent loser in the 60′s to the incredibly successful 70′s. Football also provided Andy with the opportunity to travel around the world five years in a row, giving football clinics, making motivational speeches and personal appearances. During those trips he and his partner Sam Zacharias pursued their investment business, finding investors on the other side of our planet. Andy describes how he feels forever blessed to have had such an opportunity, all brought about by his football experience.
Beyond The Goalpost is preceded by A Steeler Odyssey published in 1998 and followed by An Odd Steeler Journey three years later. |
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Before you scroll on down to see my Steeler pieces, I want to post this commission piece requested by Art Rooney, Jr, son of Art Rooney, Sr. This one is special, to say the least. This is Hall of Famer, Art Rooney, Sr., aka “The Chief.” Recently Art Rooney Jr. has written one fantastic book about the life and times of his father and the Rooney Family. It is titled “Ruanaidh.” The strange-looking title (pronounced Ru-ah-nee) is the Gaelic word for Rooney. This is a “ten-years in-the-making” masterpiece! Many of my Steeler portraits are printed though out this 483 page book. The inside cover art is graced by several fantastic portraits that have been done of “The Chief.” In the group, there are several portraits from my predecessor, the late, great Merv Corning, a fantastic local Pittsburgh artist, Dino Guarino, the famous sports artist LeRoy Neiman and lastly Art Rooney Jr’s cousin, Kathy Rooney, (http://www.krooney.net/) who is not only laid out the whole piece, but has her great portrait of “The Chief” included as well. What an honor to have been asked to have my work appear in such fine, fine company. I am truly humbled.
This is my pencil version of Art Rooney, Jr’s father, “The Chief.” – Denny
Here is the link to the Art Rooney, Jr. website: http://www.artrooneyjr.com/
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Dan Rooney has spent 50-plus seasons in various capacities with the family-owned Steelers. He was appointed team president in 1975. He has implemented a philosophy and management style that emphasizes open, practical and efficient management. Dan joins father Art Rooney, Sr. as the second father-son combination in the Hall of Fame. He was an integral part of one of the modern era’s most successful franchises, and has helped guide the Pittsburgh Steelers to six Super Bowls. As of 2009, Dan has taken the prestigious position as the Ambassador to Ireland. Dan’s son Art Rooney II has now taken over the reins of the Pittsburgh Steelers. |
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This is Troy Polamalu. To date, this is the highest profile commission that I have had to do. For some of you “Die-hard Steeler Fans,” you already know who Troy Polamalu is. For those of you who do not, Troy is one of the hardest working, most talented players to play the game of football. He just re-signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Troy was the 16th overall choice in the draft a few years ago. He received a five-year, $8.275 million contract. There is also a total of $3.2 million in performance incentives over the course of the contract that could push the potential value to $11.475 million! This makes him the highest paid strong safety in the entire league! In my opinion, no one deserves this more than this young man. Visually, there is no mistaking #43 on the field and no one covers a playing field like Troy, no one!
Leigh and I had the opportunity to interview Aaron Smith. He is a “gentleman’s gentleman.” We did an interview with him back in the first week of June when I was asked by the “Steeler Front Office” to draw and paint Troy’s portrait first to hang in the up-coming 75th Steeler Anniversary Show at the John Heinz History Museum. This is first of two sets of portraits that I am scheduled to do of Troy. This first piece is being drawn from one fantastic photograph that I bought from a national image source company. The photograph was taken last year at Denver’s Stadium. As I scanned through hundreds of photos of Troy, I knew the very second that I laid eyes on this shot, it was “THE” one! Those who have seen this so far say he has all the looks of a “Warrior.” I totally agree… he is the “Steel Warrior,” as Leigh calls him.
Oil Painting Measures: 18″ x 24″ Pencil Measures: 10″ x 16″ |
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Here are the three Russell pieces. The first being the “traditional oil” of Andy. The size is 16″ x 20″. The original was painted on Masonite. Secondly, is the “collector card” for Mr. Rooney’s collection of former “Steeler Greats.” Not only is this art used for on the collector cards, it was also enlarged to poster size for future prints. Lastly is the “pencil study” which is 12″ x 16″.
The 16th round draft choice, Andy Russell #34, began his NFL career as an outside linebacker and was one of the few “Steeler warriors” who actually stuck it out in the early days to witness and play a huge role in the formation and ultimate success of the famous “Steel Curtain” defense that led the Steelers into two consecutive Super Bowl Championships in the 1974 and 1975 seasons. That same stick-to-it-ness in football led Russell to phenomenal success in the business world when he opened and managed an investment firm, even as he was still playing football. Russell credits his successes to his talented teammates and business associates. Russell’s $1,000 per game “rookie” salary seemed like a fortune back in 1974 but he was talented and savvy enough to diversify his business talents and money in other venues that led to his business success off the field as well.
Russell’s first stint during the early 60′s with the Steelers led to many lost games so much so that the team was referred to as “S.O.S. – Same Old Steelers.” Fans simply expected “more of the same” after years of defeat. Russell left the Steelers briefly in 1964 briefly and after a tour of duty in the military, Russell returned in 1966 and persevered with the team until the 1974 season for a “new game and new look,” the new look that led the Steelers down the path of Champions earning the team a new respect and status from its fans and the entire NFL.
Over the course of Russell’s 12-year career as a Steeler, he made Pro Bowl selection seven times, was named the Steeler MVP in 1971, was the Steelers’ team captain for 10 years (1967-1976) and was credited with a two-time consecutive Super Bowl Championship in 1974 and 1975. “One for the thumb” had special meaning to this “true to the heart” Steeler player and fan when the Pittsburgh Steelers were led into their 5th Super Bowl Championship in 2006. In recent years, Russell authored two well-received books, A Steeler Odyssey (1998) and An Odd Steelers Journey (2002). |
