Super Bowl Winning Quarterback Reveals How Rugby Helped Him Improve His Game

For the past two seasons Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been seen throwing a rugby ball in practice.

He throws it overhand, like an american football, but also tosses it sidearm and underhand while experimenting with different grips and angles.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler explained that Roethlisberger does this for the same reason baseball players use donuts: it helps make the football feel smaller and lighter.

“It makes the actual ball feel smaller for practice,” Roethlisberger told ESPN.

Fowler also reports that the rugby ball, which is at least two ounces heavier than an american football, helps Roethlisberger warm up his shoulder during practice.

According to Fowler, finding a rugby ball in Pittsburgh was surprisingly difficult for the Steelers equipment staff, but after a lengthy search, they eventually got their hands on one. Check him out using the ball in practice below.