Ben Roethlisberger
Quarterback
2004-2021
Ben Roethlisberger played in more games in Steelers’ history than any other player, with 249 under his belt, but that number ended when Roethlisberger announced his retirement after 18 remarkable seasons in the black and gold.
“I don’t know how to put into words what the game of football has meant to me and what a blessing it has been,” said Roethlisberger in a retirement message. “While I know with confidence I have given my all to the game, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all it has given me.
“A boy from Findlay, Ohio with NFL dreams, developed in Oxford at Miami University. Blessed with the honor of 18 seasons as a Pittsburgh Steeler and a place to call home. The journey has been exhilarating, defined by relationships and fueled by a spirit of competition.”
With Roethlisberger at quarterback, the Steelers had 12 postseason berths, won eight AFC North Championships, appeared in five AFC Championship games, and went to three Super Bowls, winning two of them.
Roethlisberger became the youngest quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl when the team won Super Bowl XL, when he was 23, and the second-youngest quarterback to ever win a second Super Bowl when the Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII.
Roethlisberger was the Steelers first-round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft out of Miami of Ohio, the 11th overall pick. He stepped into the starting lineup early, starting in Week 2 of the 2004 season after Tommy Maddox was injured. He led the team to a 13-0 record as a starter, taking the team all the way to the AFC Championship game.
In his second season he took it one step further, guiding the Steelers to a Super Bowl XL win, which included winning three games on the road in the postseason, and even making a tackle (following a Bettis lost fumble), that saved the postseason run.
It wouldn’t take long for Roethlisberger to get the Steelers right back on top again, leading the team to a win in Super Bowl XLIII (2008), with a remarkable pass to Santonio Holmes in the final minute to secure the victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
The two-time Super Bowl champion holds numerous Steelers’ records, including passing yards, completions, attempts, completion percentage, passing touchdowns, passing touchdowns of at least 60 yards, passer rating, yards per attempt, 300-yard passing games and 3,000-yard passing seasons, and as well as games played.
Roethlisberger oozed confidence when he took the field and when it came to the fourth quarter, and the game was on the line, he shined the brightest. He had 53 game-winning drives, tied for third all-time in the NFL in that category. He also orchestrated 41 fourth quarterback comebacks.
“For me it felt like we always had a chance when Ben was in the huddle,” said former tight end Heath Miller, who was drafted by the Steelers in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, one year after Roethlisberger arrived. “It didn’t matter the talent around. We always had a chance no matter who we were playing because he was in the huddle. He had that confidence, something you have to have at that position. Everyone believed in him.”
The 2021 season was one filled with NFL milestones for Roethlisberger, with him reaching new heights in multiple categories week after week.
Roethlisberger passed Philip Rivers for fifth place all-time in passing yards in NFL history when the Steelers defeated the Tennessee Titans in Week 15. Roethlisberger is behind only Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre.
Roethlisberger also passed Rivers for fifth place all-time in career completions in 2021. The top five include Brees, Brady, Favre and Manning.
Roethlisberger joined an elite fraternity when he threw his 400th career touchdown pass in 2021. Roethlisberger joined a group that includes Brady, Brees, Favre, Manning, Dan Marino, Rivers and Aaron Rodgers.
Roethlisberger also hit the 3,000-yard plateau for the 15th time in his career in 2021, only the sixth player in NFL history to do so.
But there is one stat that really hits home for him. And home is the key word.
Roethlisberger is ranked third in the NFL for most wins in one stadium in NFL history, with 92 wins under his belt at Heinz Field (Acrisure Stadium).
“That’s the one that means the most to me because it’s about wins and winning is all I’ve ever really cared about and tried to do,” said Roethlisberger. “It’s not an individual thing. It’s about wins and that to me is special.”
Roethlisberger Fast Facts:
– Played in 249 games (247 starts) over 18-year career with Steelers
– Three Super Bowl Appearances (XL, XLIII and XLV)
– Two-Time Super Bowl Champion (XL, XLIII)
– Holds or shares at least 52 franchise regular-season records and 18 more franchise postseason records
– Holds or shares at least nine NFL records
– 13-Time Team Captain (2008-09, 2011-21)
– Six-Time Pro Bowl Selection (2007, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
– Ranked fifth in NFL history with 165 Regular-Season victories as a starting QB when career ended in 2021
– Ranked sixth in NFL history with .670 Regular-Season winning pct. as a starting QB when career ended in 2021
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