We’ll probably never see it again. We’ll likely never see another NFL player that plays on the same team for 18 straight years, let alone at the Quarterback position. As it stands now, only 7 other players in NFL history have played with the same team longer than Ben Roethlisberger has been with the Steelers organization.
Longest tenure with one Team
21 Seasons
-Lou Groza, Cleveland Browns
-Jason Hanson, Detriot Lions20 Seasons
-Tom Brady, New England Patriots
-Darrell Green, Washington Redskins
-Jackie Slater, Los Angeles Rams19 Seasons
-Jim Marshall, Minnessota Vikings
-Bruce Matthews, Houston Oilers18 Seasons
–Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
-Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders
-Pat Leahy, New York Jets
-Jeff Van Note, Atlanta Falcons
During his 18 seasons, Big Ben has completely rewrote the Steelers records books. He’s thrown for more passing yards than Terry Bradshaw, Kordell Stewart, Neil O’Donnell, and Buddy Brister combined. You can say the same thing about touchdowns, completions, and wins. By the end of the 2021 season, he will likely rank in the Top 5 in NFL history for career passing yards, touchdowns, and completions.
Yet… outside of Pittsburgh, Ben Roethlisberger seems to be massively disrespected and underappreciated. Truth is, I get it.
He’s not exactly a likeable guy by todays social media standards. He doesn’t have his own social media pages, he isn’t married to a supermodel, he’s not on TMZ, he doesn’t do national advertising commercials, he stays off the red carpet, and he rarely does interviews/features outside of the local media market.
Now that you know what he doesn’t do, let’s talk about what he’s done.
Over his career, he’s restructured his contract several times, freeing up millions in salary cap space for the Steelers to sign other players. He did this in 2021, 2020, 2019, 2013, 2012 and 2008. Big Ben has never been a financial burden to the organization, putting the team before greed.
His charity foundation, “The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation”, is in it’s 15th year of existence. They have donated more than 2.2 million dollars towards local Police Departments. The majority of the grants have went to K-9 units for the purchase of dogs and dog safety vests.
During the off-season, Big Ben goes into hibernation. Away from the spotlight, he secludes himself with his wife Ashley, and their 3 children.
The 18 year veteran is a two time Super Bowl winner, 6 time Pro Bowler. He’s played in 244 games, with 39 comebacks and 51 game winning drives.
One of the things that has made Big Ben so adored by Steelers fans over his career has been his mobility and ability to extend plays. While he has always preferred to pass first, he’s rushed for 1,373 yards and 19 touchdowns, ranking him 27th and 17th respectively in the Steelers rushing records.
When asked about his future after the Sunday night after a victory over the Ravens, Ben said “I’ll address any of that stuff after the season. I’ve always been a one game at a time, one season at a time person, and I’m going to stay that way.”
Enjoy each remaining game with Ben Roethlisberger that we get. The Steelers will face the Vikings on the road in Minnesota this Thursday night.
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