Ben Roethlisberger has announced that he will retire from the NFL after 18 seasons.
The 39-year-old will go down as one of the most successful quarterbacks in the game’s history. He was a two-time Super Bowl winner with the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning both times he played (2006 and 2008). In his final season, he helped the Steelers to the playoffs before they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.
His career also included six Pro Bowl appearances and a final career record of 178-91-1, including playoff games. He was selected 11th overall in the 2004 NFL draft by Pittsburgh. As Pittsburgh was the only team he has ever played for, he has been a rare breed in today’s game. During that time, Big Ben also never had a losing season while he was the starting quarterback.
As he routinely played through injury, Roethlisberger personified old-school mentality. However, it was evident that he was not the same player he once was this year. It was a big surprise that he could return from Tommy John Surgery this past season and play the entire year.
In a video he posted announcing his retirement, Roethlisberger said: “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.
“I know with confidence I have given my all to the game. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all it has given me.
“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,” he said.
His retirement will leave Pittsburgh with a void at the quarterback position and there could be several options available to them in the off-season to fill the position, including the NFL draft. With Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins already on their roster, expect the Steelers to add at least one QB to reinforce them.
