It is widely considered a forgone conclusion that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will play his final game at Heinz Field, but an old friend is not so sure he’s done just yet.
In a Cameo video to a fan Monday, former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown sents well wishes Roethlisberger’s way ahead of tonight’s game, but also predicted that the 39-year-old’s career is far from over.
“I know you’re sad about Ben Roethlisberger retiring, but it’s not over for Ben yet,” Brown told the fan. “I know everyone’s wondering if this is his last game in Pittsburgh tonight. And would it end like this? But it may not end like this.”
Brown, who caught passes from Roethlisberger for the first nine years of his career, praised the Steelers signal caller’s competitive drive and status as one of the best ever.
“I know Ben, he’s a competitor,” Brown added. “He loves to play football. One of the greatest quarterbacks all time. And I just don’t see him hanging it up.”
Browns is reading into the semantics of Roethlisberger’s acknowledgment last week that tonight’s game is most likely his last in Pittsburgh. Still, he is encouraging football fans to remain positive and root for his former quarterback regardless whether he is done or not.
“I wouldn’t bet on that yet, because Ben has a lot of football left,” he said. “And he didn’t say that his career was over. He didn’t say that it was his last game at Heinz Field. So we can’t speculate and recolate upon him not playing anymore. So let’s be positive, let’s cheer him on, let’s wish for one of his best games tonight and let’s keep business boom in’.”
BREAKING: Antonio Brown with a message for Ben Roethlisberger.
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) January 3, 2022
He doesn’t think Ben will retire. 👀 #Steelers
pic.twitter.com/pD7pkCyGO1
Roethlisberger tossed 74 touchdown passes to Brown during their time together in Pittsburgh, the most to any player in his 18-year career.