PITTSBURGH -- Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's foundation announced on Wednesday grants to the city of Pittsburgh.

The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation $100,000 grant will go toward the purchase of K-9 units, protective vests and other equipment for Pittsburgh Police Department, University of Pittsburgh police and surrounding municipalities.

Roethlisberger made the announcement at a press conference at the Pittsburgh Police Training Academy on Washington Boulevard in Lincoln-Lemington. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and County Executive Dan Onorato attended the event.

An avid dog lover, Roethlisberger owns two: rottweiler Zeus and Burmese mountain dog Hercules.

The tragic death of a K-9 officer in Roethlisberger's hometown of Findlay, Ohio, gave birth to his foundation's first grant.

"The one dog we had in my hometown of Findlay got shot and killed two years ago, and I had some friends on that police force and asked. My dad and I talked and thought, wouldn’t it be a good idea to buy them a new police dog? So that's kind of how it got started," Roethlisberger said.

Roethlisberger also said he tries to make a donation to local police departments in every city the Steelers visit during the season.

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