Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger Announces Retirement from Football

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has retired from football after 18 seasons in the NFL, he announced on Thursday in a social media video.

Roethlisberger had said that the 2021 season would likely be his last in the final weeks of the season, but had made sure to hedge that, saying that he would wait until after the season ended to make a final determination.

That came Thursday, with a heart-felt video of Roethlisberger and his family, with the quarterback reading a message to his former teammates, coaches, Steelers staff members and fans of the team.

“I don’t know how to put into words what the game of football has meant to me and what a blessing it has been,” Roethlisberger said. “While I know with confidence I have given my all to the game, I am overwhelmed at all it has given me. A boy from Findlay, Ohio with NFL dreams, developed in Oxford at Miami University, blessed with the honor of 18 seasons as a Pittsburgh Steeler and a place to call home.

“The journey has been exhilarating, defined by relationships and fueled by a spirit of competition. Yet 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. 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

Roethlisberger retires as a two-time Super Bowl champion, a six-time Pro Bowler, and a two-time NFL passing yards leader. He holds over a dozen NFL records and is the all-time Steelers leader in nearly every quarterback category. He has also played the most games and seasons of any player in team history.

“To the Rooney Family, the Tull Family, Mike Tomlin, Coach Cowher, and all the coaches that have poured into me, the incredible people at every level that make the Pittsburgh Steelers a special organization, thank you for believing in me and allowing me to battle with you in pursuit of excellence,” Roethlisberger said.

“To all of my teammates and the friendships that I have gained, I appreciate you and our shared commitment to wearing the Black and Gold with pride and dignity. Putting that jersey on every Sunday with my brothers will always be one of the greatest joys of my life.

“To Steeler Nation, the best fans in all of sport, thank you for accepting and supporting me as your quarterback over the years. Football has been a gift and I thank God for allowing me to play it. Surrounding me with great people, protecting me through to the end, with love and honor.”
The next step for Roethlisberger will almost assuredly be enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. His five-year waiting period will begin with his official filing of his retirement paperwork with the league, which may be delayed until June for salary cap purposes.