Gloucester Township Police Score Visit From Ben Roethlisberger
GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBS) -- There's no doubt that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger won't show any love for the Birds this weekend, but the two-time Super Bowl champion was showing his support for service dogs.
Roethlisberger, in town for Sunday's game against the Eagles, made a special visit Saturday to the 2016 United States Police Canine Association National Patrol Dog Trials in Gloucester Township, New Jersey, where he greeted the law enforcement K-9 team during a welcoming ceremony for the event.
"He is a known supporter of law enforcement, especially K-9 Units and service dogs, with The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation that seeks to assist police and fire departments throughout the United States," Gloucester Township Police said in statement on the department's Facebook page.
The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation distributed more than $170,000 in grants to K-9 units around the country during the 2015 NFL season and has distributed more than $1.5 million since 2007, according to the foundation's website.
"My dad instilled in me a love and respect for animals," Roethlisberger said in statement on his foundation's website. "This is a good way to combine that passion with a desire to support the police and fire departments, which deserve all the appropriate resources needed to protect our cities and neighborhoods, and allow these brave men and women to arrive home safely."
The Gloucester Township Police Department is hosting the United States Police Canine Association National Patrol Dog Trials from September 25 through September 30.
