Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is retiring from the NFL after 18 seasons, he announced Thursday morning on his Twitter page.
“The time has come to clean up my locker, hang up my cleats and continue to be all I can to my wife and children,” he said in a video. “To all of my teammates and the endless friendships I have gained, I appreciate you and our shared commitment to wearing the black and gold with pride and dignity.
“To Steeler nation, the best fans in all of sport: Thank you for accepting and supporting me as your quarterback over the years. Football has been a gift and I thank God for allowing me to play it, surrounding me with great people, protecting me through the end, with love and honor.”
Following the Steelers’ season-ending loss to the Chiefs this month, Roethlisberger didn’t directly announce his retirement in his postgame conference, but spoke as if his time as a Steeler, and as an NFL quarterback, was over.
“I’ve been here a long time. It’s been a lot of fun,” he said. “It was meant to be that I was gonna wear Black and Gold. I’m just so thankful. I hope that I was able to pass the legacy of what it is to be a Steeler. Hopefully I can pass some of that on to some of the guys, and the tradition of what it means to be a Steeler can get passed down.”
The 39-year-old went on to say that the finality of this will probably hit him come training camp time. As for what’s next? Roethlisberger said he’s going to do everything he can “to be the best husband and father I can be.”
Roethlisberger retires as the franchise leader in wins (165), passing yards (64,303), passing touchdowns (420), attempts (8,487), completions (5,469) and completion percentage (64.5).
His passing yards, attempts and completions are fifth-most in NFL history. He’s tied for seventh in touchdown passes. This season, Big Ben has completed 64.6 percent of his attempts for 3,955 yards, 24 TDs and 10 interceptions.
He played college football at Miami University, only after then-coach Terry Hoeppner offered him a scholarship when Roethlisberger scored six TDs in his senior year of high school. He went on to win 2003 Mid-American Conference MVP before the Steelers drafted him in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He spent his entire career in Pittsburgh, leading the team to three Super Bowl appearances and two titles (2006 and 2009). In 2006, he became the youngest QB to win a Super Bowl.
“Ben has been an integral part of our success since we drafted him,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement. “Ben will always be viewed as one of the all-time greats in our team history, and his determination, toughness and competitiveness will be remembered by everyone in the organization as well as Steeler Nation throughout the world.”
A six-time Pro Bowler, Roethlisberger won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2004. He led the NFL in passing yards in both 2014 and 2018.
Roethlisberger was accused of sexual assault twice during his playing career. In 2009, a civil suit was filed accusing him of rape. He denied the allegations and the suit was later settled. In 2010, a college student accused him of raping her in a nightclub in Milledgeville, Ga. The case was dropped due to what the DA cited as lack of evidence. Roethlisberger was suspended six games by the NFL for violating the personal conduct policy, a punishment that was later reduced to four games.
(Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images)
Where does Roethlisberger fit among Steelers all-time greats?
Ed Bouchette, Steelers senior writer: The Steelers of the 1970s are so iconic, rightfully so, no one more than Joe Greene. But when you consider the position, that he played in three Super Bowls and won two, that he ranks among the top QBs in so many categories, Roethlisberger has to be a top five in team history.
The debate in Pittsburgh long has been Bradshaw or Ben? They played in different eras with different styles and rules, etc. Maybe it should just be a tie.
What will you remember about his final season?
Bouchette: That he probably should not have come back in 2021, playing behind a poor line and with a bunch of rookies. He seemed out of place.
However, the Steelers don’t make the playoffs without him. Of their nine victories, he led them to a career-high seven game-winning drives, giving him 52, tied with Tom Brady for third most. There also was the fabulous send-off fans gave him in his final game at Heinz Field on Jan. 3, a win over the Browns. That memory will last forever for those who saw it.
Is QB the Steelers’ top priority in the draft?
Bouchette: Maybe yes, maybe no. They first have to decide if they want to sign a QB in free agency to compete with Mason Rudolph and maybe Dwayne Haskins. That would not prevent them from drafting a QB if they believe in him.
But what’s going to be left where they draft at No. 20? They have so many needs, they won’t reach for a quarterback. It would appear 2022 is going to be more of a bridge season at that position with Rudolph or another non-rookie.
