Former Teammates, Coaches, Rivals Send Appreciation to Retiring Ben Roethlisberger

Messages of well wishes, tributes and respect instantly started flooding social media almost immediately after the news of Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement became official.

Roethlisberger’s official Twitter account confirmed what many have been speculating for weeks Thursday morning with a video of the now former Steelers quarterback cleaning out his locker for the last time and announcing he is retiring from the NFL.

A message from some of @_BigBen7's teammates:#ThankYou7 pic.twitter.com/dagd6icsqt

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 27, 2022

From some #Steelers legends to another:#ThankYou7 pic.twitter.com/LTjuJ6GL6G

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 27, 2022

I’m addition to a slew of tweets from the Steelers, Bill Cowher, Roethlisberger’s first NFL head coach and the man he won Super Bowl LX with, tweeted a letter to his former quarterback.

Congratulations on an amazing career @_BigBen7 and good luck in your next chapter. pic.twitter.com/loPuPCkN7U

— Bill Cowher (@CowherCBS) January 27, 2022

Cowher details his love and appreciation in the letter. “It was an honor to coach Ben. He truly represent what a Pittsburgh Steeler is. He gave his heart and soul to the Steelers and the Pittsburgh community. He played with grit, determination and resiliency and his passion for the game was evident throughout his career.” The Hall of Fame coach goes on to say he knew Ben was a winner from his rookie year and he is proud of what he accomplished during his career.

Former teammates also expressed their thoughts upon hearing the news. Ramon Foster simply added “legend” as a quote to the announcement video tweet.

Legend! https://t.co/ux2tVv8lbS

— Ramon Foster (@RamonFoster) January 27, 2022

Mike Wallace agrees with Foster, tweeting “my guy, you went legend out there.”

My guy u went LEGEND out there bro!! I appreciate ya!! @steelers 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐 https://t.co/fzkVHJTylY

— Mike Wallace (@Wallace17_daKid) January 27, 2022

Willie Colon tweeted “happy retirement, stud” along with a picture of Colon picking up a celebrating Roethlisberger.

Happy retirement Stud! @_BigBen7 #HereWeGo #steelers #champion pic.twitter.com/yAf3SZz0J5

— Willie Colon (@willcolon66) January 27, 2022

Current teammate Joe Haden expressed his appreciation for having played with Roethlisberger the past 5 seasons.

Love and Appreciate you @_BigBen7! Was a pleasure having You as a teammate these past 5 years! Now Go Enjoy that beautiful family! You deserve it! HOF!!! https://t.co/OAgQNvcWhP

— Joe Haden (@joehaden23) January 27, 2022

Even the Baltimore Ravens joined in on the “Ben love fest with a classy “respect to an all-time rival comment. Roethlisberger earned his final NFL win in Baltimore in the final game of the regular season.

Respect to an all-time rival 🤝 https://t.co/AneEhbVb3d

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 27, 2022

Fellow Steelers legend Rocky Bleier sent a message along stating “you gave yourself over and over again for the love of the game” among other kind words.

Ben- There are not enough words in a tweet to do you justice. You gave of yourself over and over again for the love of the game, the love of Pittsburgh,and the love of this Steelers team. There will never be another like you and I am looking forward to your future. -Rock

— Rocky Bleier (@RockyBleier) January 27, 2022

My guy 5L 🤞🏾 https://t.co/2te64Y5Nyk

— Diontae Johnson (@Juiceup__3) January 27, 2022

Definition of a true competitor! Thank you 7 🤟🏽 https://t.co/0GO1jzAk1H pic.twitter.com/ldUxhcVZyF

— John Leglue (@theJohnLeglue) January 27, 2022

1st Ballot #HOF ‼️‼️ Playing 7 years with 7 was so surreal! True Champion & Leader! #Respect

7EGEND 🐐 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/yOltOKb2La

— Jordan Dangerfield (@Dangerfield__) January 27, 2022

Ben defied the TB12 Method in favor of the “Throw Some Ice On It” method his whole career, and ended up an all-time-great with 6 Pro-Bowls and 2 Super Bowls. There’s more than one way to bake a cake! https://t.co/ue36KXTHnk

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 27, 2022

Thank you #BenRoethlisberger for being an unbelievable champion, warrior, family man & thank you for rocking the steel city. You will forever be loved in the burgh. To you & your incredible family, much continued love & success. Yinz rock!🤘🏻#BigBen @_BigBen7 @Steelers pic.twitter.com/jMTlRaN6Fu

— Bret Michaels (@bretmichaels) January 27, 2022

can confirm that Ben’s retirement plans include a duck hunting trip with myself! but also congrats Ben! epic 2 years with you! @_BigBen7 pic.twitter.com/p4XeQT4vgO

— Devlin Hodges (@DevlinHodges10) January 27, 2022

Best tandem in the NFL, Congrats Legend 👑 #7 #SteelerNation #BigBen #PitnotthePalace pic.twitter.com/uwf91N6FSN

— AB (@AB84) January 27, 2022

Thanks for everything, 7. 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/xSdWqCnE2Q

— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) January 27, 2022

To the graduating Draft Class of '04#ThankYou7 | @EliManning pic.twitter.com/GUqFLTBXvD

— New York Giants (@Giants) January 27, 2022

It’s clear Roethlisberger has earned the respect of his peers, rivals and elders. It’s also pretty clear he will one day earn the ultimate respect by being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame too.