Ben Roethlisberger, Ashley Harlan confirm engagement; Asks for charity donations in lieu of gifts

Though rumor had it Ben Roethlisberger popped the question to Ashley Harlan over the winter holidays, Big Ben remained mum on the situation until now. He confirms to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Wednesday (Apr. 6) that he and Harlan will tie the knot this summer.
 

"I was surprised at how much media attention it was getting -- it's just an engagement," he says. "I never expected it to be on the front pages of all the papers and websites. There was speculation what our invitations would look like and who is coming! It almost seemed surreal, it was like a movie or something, it was weird."

The wedding is set for July 23, just one week before his Steelers are expected to report to training camp (assuming the current player lockout is lifted). In lieu of gifts, the couple is asking their 500 guests to donate money to Roethlisberger's foundation, after which he will write a check to the Ronald McDonald House and Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

"I don't know if it's ever been done before, but it's something I wanted to do and she's on board," he explains. "We're just hoping that people who come to the wedding give a dollar or a thousand dollars or whatever it is, and at the end we'll put it all together and write a big check to Ronald McDonald House and Children's Hospital and put everyone's name who donated."

The QB met his betrothed back in August 2005 at training camp at Saint Vincent College. They dated on and off for five years all while remaining friends -- even throughout his highly publicized sexual assault allegations, for which he was never charged.

Harlan, a physician's assistant, will celebrate her 27th birthday in July. She currently lives at home with her parents, as Roethlisberger claims their religious faith as a couple prevents them from living together before marriage.

In light of their admirable commitment to charity here, we will keep our comments to ourselves.