Ben Roethlisberger Announces His Retirement

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has officially announced his retirement after 18 seasons in the NFL.

“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,” Roethlisberger said. “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

Originally drafted 11th overall during the 2004 NFL Draft, Roethlisberger spent his entire 18-year career with the Steelers, leading them to three Super Bowl appearances and two wins between  2004 and 2010. Individually, he is a six-time Pro Bowler and was named the 2004 Offensive Rookie of the Year after leading Pittsburgh to a 15-1 record and an AFC Championship Game appearance in his first season.

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‘Big Ben’ twice led the league in passing. First in 2014 and then again just three seasons ago when he broke the 5,000-yard mark for the first time in his career. His 64,088 yards are good for fifth-most in NFL history and second among active players, trailing only Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. His 418 touchdown passes give him the eighth-most in NFL history, just behind Dan Marino (420) and fellow 2004 draftee, Philip Rivers (421).

Roethlisberger never won a league MVP award but for about a decade-plus, three quarterbacks dominated the AFC… Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Roethlisberger. Quite often, the team that represented the AFC in the Super Bowl would have to beat at least one of these three quarterbacks and their respective teams to get there. In 249 games, Roethlisberger led the Steelers to a 165-81-1 record.

His off-the-field issues earlier in his career may prevent him from being a first-ballot Hall of Famer, as would his potential contemporaries which could include Brady if he decides to hang them up as well. However, he will likely see himself enshrined in Canton in the not-so-distant future.