Connect with us

Steelers Gameday

From the Locker Room: Ben Roethlisberger Reflects on Breaking Mike Webster’s Record

Published

on

PITTSBURGH — What does it mean to Ben Roethlisberger to play in 221 career NFL games, the most of any player in Pittsburgh Steelers team history?

“I’m old?” Roethlisberger quipped after he the record that had stood since 1988 on Sunday. The man who had held that record was late, great Steelers center Mike Webster.

“I’ve played a lot of games and it’s such an honor to be up there with that name with Mike Webster.,” Roethlisberger said. “Obviously, what he meant for this franchise, the Hall of Famer, the person, and we all know the story. But what he did, you know, he was Iron Mike for a reason. They’re never going to call me Iron Ben because there’s only one Iron Mike. And I’m just humbled and honored to be in the same category as him. It’s not like I passed him. I just feel like I joined him today because it’s so awesome.”

Roethlisberger already held the team record for seasons played, which he set in 2019, but his elbow surgery a year ago meant it took some extra time for Roethlisberger to become the Steelers’ ironman.

Fittingly for breaking the record held by a Hall of Fame linemen, Roethlisberger credited all the players that blocked up front for him throughout his career for his longevity.

“It’s all the guys that I played with, especially the linemen, because they’re the ones blocking for me,” Roethlisberger said. “And I’ve played with so many really good linemen and tight ends and backs and guys that just really kept he upright and have allowed me to play this long. I’m thankful to all of them and this kind of record really is a joint thing for all of them and me.”