The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office will soon be able to purchase new dogs for its K-9 unit thanks to a donation from a well-known NFL football player.

Super Bowl champion quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers recently announced that a grant from his foundation, the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund, has been awarded to JSO's K-9 Unit.

The sheriff's office was appreciative for the grant because it expects to lose four of its dogs this year due to retirement or medical reasons.

"We're really excited that Ben is making this opportunity available to the Police Department so we are able to provide better service and protection for our community. We are so grateful for this contribution to the city of Jacksonville," said JSO Sgt. Brian Healy, of the Jacksonville Sheriff K-9 Unit.

The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation said it would be distributing grants to police and fire departments in Pittsburgh and in the cities and surrounding communities or each regular season away opponent for the Steelers in 2008. The foundation invited police and fire departments in the nine cities to submit proposals detailing their needs.

The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Pittsburgh Steelers will go head to head Sunday night at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.