Roethlisberger was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers 11th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. In his rookie year, he tossed for 2,621 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. That season, Pittsburgh went 13-0 in the games he started, but Pittsburgh finished the year at 15-1. For his regular season play, Roethlisberger earned NFL Rookie of the Year. In the playoffs, Pittsburgh was the #1 seed in the AFC but were knocked out in the AFC Championship Game by the New England Patriots 41-27.
In 2005, Pittsburgh was the 4th team in NFL history to win the Super Bowl as a Wild Card team. Roethlisberger led them to road playoff wins over the Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, and the Denver Broncos to reach Super Bowl 40. Pittsburgh defeated the Seattle Seahawks 21-10. Roethlisberger would also help Pittsburgh to another Super Bowl victory, Super Bowl 43 beating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23.
Roethlisberger’s top year for Pittsburgh was in 2018 passing for a career high 5,129 yards and 34 touchdowns but added 16 interceptions. This was the only time in his career he put up 5,000 passing yards in a single season.
This past year, rumors were that this was going to be his last in the NFL. He still played the game at a high level, passing for 3,740 yards and 22 touchdowns but had 10 interceptions. Pittsburgh even made the postseason, but they were knocked out in the Wild Card Round by Kansas City by the score of 42-21. Roethlisberger took his time to decide what he wanted to do next.
According to ESPN, Roethlisberger said, “The journey has been exhilarating, fueled by a spirit of competition. Yet the time has come to clean out my locker, hang up my cleats and continue to be all I can be to my wife and children. I retire from football a truly grateful man.”
There is nothing left for Roethlisberger to prove in the NFL. Roethlisberger has won two Super Bowl titles and was named to 6 Pro Bowls. The next stop should be the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Roethlisberger threw for 64,088 yards which ranks him 5th in NFL history. When it comes to touchdown passes, Roethlisberger is 8th at 418, only two behind Dan Marino for 7th who had 420. Roethlisberger’s combined wins in the regular season and the postseason total 178, 5th in NFL history at the quarterback position. The numbers Roethlisberger put up are Hall of Fame worthy. When his name pops up in 5 years, there shouldn’t be much of a discussion. He deserves to be in Canton, Ohio as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the NFL game.
By Jordan Long
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger decided to retire after 18 years in the NFL, all with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His next stop should be the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 5 years.
Roethlisberger was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers 11th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. In his rookie year, he tossed for 2,621 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. That season, Pittsburgh went 13-0 in the games he started, but Pittsburgh finished the year at 15-1. For his regular season play, Roethlisberger earned NFL Rookie of the Year. In the playoffs, Pittsburgh was the #1 seed in the AFC but were knocked out in the AFC Championship Game by the New England Patriots 41-27.
In 2005, Pittsburgh was the 4th team in NFL history to win the Super Bowl as a Wild Card team. Roethlisberger led them to road playoff wins over the Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, and the Denver Broncos to reach Super Bowl 40. Pittsburgh defeated the Seattle Seahawks 21-10. Roethlisberger would also help Pittsburgh to another Super Bowl victory, Super Bowl 43 beating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23.
Roethlisberger’s top year for Pittsburgh was in 2018 passing for a career high 5,129 yards and 34 touchdowns but added 16 interceptions. This was the only time in his career he put up 5,000 passing yards in a single season.
This past year, rumors were that this was going to be his last in the NFL. He still played the game at a high level, passing for 3,740 yards and 22 touchdowns but had 10 interceptions. Pittsburgh even made the postseason, but they were knocked out in the Wild Card Round by Kansas City by the score of 42-21. Roethlisberger took his time to decide what he wanted to do next.
According to ESPN, Roethlisberger said, “The journey has been exhilarating, fueled by a spirit of competition. Yet the time has come to clean out my locker, hang up my cleats and continue to be all I can be to my wife and children. I retire from football a truly grateful man.”
There is nothing left for Roethlisberger to prove in the NFL. Roethlisberger has won two Super Bowl titles and was named to 6 Pro Bowls. The next stop should be the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Roethlisberger threw for 64,088 yards which ranks him 5th in NFL history. When it comes to touchdown passes, Roethlisberger is 8th at 418, only two behind Dan Marino for 7th who had 420. Roethlisberger’s combined wins in the regular season and the postseason total 178, 5th in NFL history at the quarterback position. The numbers Roethlisberger put up are Hall of Fame worthy. When his name pops up in 5 years, there shouldn’t be much of a discussion. He deserves to be in Canton, Ohio as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the NFL game.
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