When Road Trip 2010 ran into the Steelers
Road Trip 2010: When CNET reporter Daniel Terdiman takes U.S. Route 30 east, he stumbles onto Day 2 of the NFL team's training camp.
Ben Roethlisberger lining up under center
One of the funny things about Road Trip, my annual journey through a region of the U.S. in search of stories, is that I never know what I'll encounter.
On Sunday, while driving U.S. Route 30 through Latrobe, Pa.--about an hour east of Pittsburgh --I saw a sign for "Steelers camp." Not being local and not knowing the NFL calendar, I wondered whether this might be a sign to a fantasy camp.
Still, with my six-week journey nearly over, I was determined not to miss out on something interesting, so I turned left. Within minutes, what I had barely hoped might be true materialized: this was in fact the pro football team's actual training camp, at St. Vincent college here, and the public was invited.
I parked the Porsche Panamera 4S I've been road-testing and walked in. Before I knew it, I was watching two-time Super Bowl championship quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was recently suspended for six games by the NFL for misconduct, take snaps and throw passes. Without having had to pay a dime to do so. Or show any kind of press credentials. Anyone could have shown up.
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Coming down the steps
Roethlisberger (left) and other teammates, including No. 14 wide receiver Isaiah Williams, descend steps on their way to the field for practice. Their path was met by hundreds of screaming fans hoping for autographs.
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Number 7 jerseys
There were plenty of No. 7 jerseys in evidence at the training camp. No. 7, of course, belongs to Roethlisberger.
The quarterback attracted a firestorm of attention in the NFL off-season, when he was accused of sexual assault in Georgia. Even after prosecutors there decided not to pursue charges, the NFL suspended him for six games for misconduct.
Nevertheless, Roethlisberger is allowed to practice during training camp.
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Laughing down the steps
Members of the Steelers laugh as they come down the steps toward the practice field at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa.
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Steelers car
A fan's car displays team loyalty.
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Panamera at Steelers training camp
The Porsche Panamera 4S I'm road-testing on Road Trip 2010, seen in front of the parking lot for the training camp.
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Fans at Chuck Noll Field
Named for the famous former Steelers coach, Chuck Noll Field at St. Vincent College in Latrobe is home to the team's training camp.
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Helmets
Steelers helmets are seen scattered around the practice field.
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Dixon throws
Quaterback Dennis Dixon throws a pass during a noncontact drill.
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Running a play
The Steelers defense runs a noncontact play.
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Ben throwing
Roethlisberger throws a pass during a drill.
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Ben calls a play
Roethlisberger signals a play.
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Ball in the air
A ball that has just been thrown soars through the air on its way to a receiver.
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St. Vincent
The Steelers training camp is held at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa.
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The offense
The Steelers offense, as seen across the practice field.
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Steelers fan
Steelers fans are proud of their devotion to their team--and some are committed to the team's rough-edged look.
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Leftwich throws
Quarterback Byron Leftwich throws a pass during a noncontact play.
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Defense loosens up
Shortly after running on the field for afternoon drills, the Steelers defense loosens up.
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Running off the field
At the end of a drill, the offense runs off the field.
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Ben explaining
Roethlisberger explains a play.
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