After 18 seasons as quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger is calling it quits.
“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,” Roethlisberger said. “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 at Oxford at Miami University, blessed with the honor of 18 seasons as a Pittsburgh Steeler and a place to call home,” Roethlisberger continued. “The journey has been exhilarating, defined by relationships and 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.”
A message from Ben:@steelers #NFL #SteelersNation #ThankYou#HereWeGo #LoveAndHonor pic.twitter.com/pUbKGO1nUs
— BigBen7.com (@_BigBen7) January 27, 2022
The end was near for Roethlisberger as the Steelers began their 2021 campaign, and as the season progressed, it became obvious that Roethlisberger no longer had the same zip on his passes. Even as the Steelers offense struggled, Roethlisberger was able to lead Pittsburgh to the postseason, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card round.
Roethlisberger is a sure-fire Hall of Famer, winning two Super Bowls for the Steelers, appearing in the playoffs 12 times, and winning eight division titles. He owns nearly every Pittsburgh record for a quarterback, and is second only behind Tom Brady for most wins with a single team (165).
“To all my teammates and the endless friendships that I have gained, I appreciate you and our shared commitment to wearing the black and gold with pride and dignity,” Roethlisberger said. “Putting that jersey on every Sunday with my brothers will always be one of the greatest joys of my life. 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 and protecting me through it to the end. With love and honor.”
Following Pittsburgh’s loss to Kansas City, Roethlisberger said he was going to “try to expand God’s kingdom” in the next chapter of his life.
“I’m going to do everything I can to be the best husband and father I can be and try to expand God’s kingdom,” Roethlisberger said, according to CBN News.
“It’s tough. I’m proud to have played with these guys,” he told the media following the loss. “God has blessed me with an ability to throw a football and has blessed me to play in the greatest city, Pittsburgh, with the greatest fans and the greatest football team and players, and it’s just been truly a blessing and I’m so thankful to him for the opportunity that he’s given me.”
“I’ve been here a long time, and it’s been a lot of fun,” Roethlisberger continued. “Like I said, God has blessed me … It was meant to be that I was going to wear black and gold. Draft day I had a black suit on with a gold tie. I’m just so thankful.”
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Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to [email protected].