Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger sounds off after potential final NFL game
This is most likely the end for Big Ben.
It's been a long and very fruitful NFL career for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who has spent the last 18 years wearing the black and yellow while leading his team to two Super Bowl wins. He's also the franchise leader in wins with 165, home wins with 92, and passing touchdowns with 418.
He and the Steelers fell to the Kansas City Chiefs last night in front of a rocking crowd at Arrowhead Stadium in what is likely the final game of his career. And afterwards, Roethlisberger took some time to reflect back on his career that will certainly see him eventually land in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"Yeah it's tough, but I'm proud to play with these guys," he said. "God has blessed me with an ability to throw a football and has blessed me to play in the greatest city, in Pittsburgh, with the greatest fans and the greatest football team and players. And it has just been truly a blessing, and I'm so thankful to him for the opportunity that He's given me."
"Just a bunch of guys that fought for each other, that fought their butts off and just competed. It wasn't always pretty, but there are a lot of games that we found a way. I'm so proud of this group of men and the way they fight for each other, for the black and gold, for our fans. It's just been an honor to play with them."
And although he's not formally announced that he's finished in the NFL, he did indicate that "all signs" pointed to his Week 17 home game being the final time he'd appear in front of the fans at Heinz Field.
"I've been here a long time, and it's been a lot of fun,'' Roethlisberger said. "We joke a lot about the Browns and going there, but 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. I hope that I'm able to pass the legacy of what it is to be a Steeler from Dan Rooney. We all miss him, anyone who knew him misses him, and so, it's just -- hopefully I could pass some of that on to the guys and continue the tradition of what it means to be a Steeler."
