When Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger showed up for the first day of training camp wearing a black and gold “DIFFERENT” T-shirt, Micah Tyler could not have been prouder.
Tyler, a nationally known Christian pop musician, designed the black shirt with gold lettering spelling “DIFFERENT” in three lines of three letters each.
“I’ve been a fan of Big Ben for a long time, so this is such an honor,” said Tyler. “I met him and his family after a show in 2019 but I had no idea that a couple years later he’d be sporting my DIFFERENT shirt on the first day of training camp.”
So pumped to team up with @_BigBen7, & @lightoflife to tackle a great cause! Watch the video and head over to https://t.co/j3MLxuap5p to grab a shirt and make a difference ????????????????#DifferentShirt @steelers #BigBen pic.twitter.com/gqbDRCgd9k
— Micah Tyler (@MicahTylerMusic) September 24, 2021
Now Roethlisberger and Tyler are partnering with Light of Life Rescue Mission to provide meals to the homeless population of Pittsburgh. For every black & gold DIFFERENT T-shirt sold, Tyler will be donating $2.58 to provide one meal for someone in need at Light of Life Mission. Roethlisberger and his family will be matching each donation.
“Even though our lives are very different, we can still come together to make a difference,” said Roethlisberger. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate our differences by making a difference. I’m a quarterback, Micah a celebrated musician and we are working together to bring a little hope into the city I love – Pittsburgh.”
Tyler said when he and Roethlisberger started discussing the idea of working together to benefit a good cause, the quarterback took an immediate interest in the project.
“When we heard about the incredible work Light of Life is doing in Pittsburgh, we knew they would be the perfect teammate,” Tyler said.
T-shirts are available online at thedifferentshirt.com starting Friday. Pittsburgh-based Commonwealth Press is supporting the local printing of the limited-edition T-shirts for retail purchase at their stores and Love Pittsburgh locations beginning next week.
“We are grateful to Ben and Micah for coming together to help our homeless in Pittsburgh,” said Light of Life executive director Rev. Jerrel T. Gilliam. “Our doors are open for anyone who needs help. By funding our meal program, it allows us to serve our vulnerable community with dignity.”
