OPINION: Ben Roethlisberger is not ready to get on with his ‘life’s work’
In the City of Pittsburgh, the sentiment of hard work and dedication is known by each and every one of its citizens. Lifelong residents joke of how Pittsburgh’s blisteringly hot summers can test one’s will to survive. James Parton, Andrew Jackson’s biographer, actually likened Pittsburgh to be “Hell, but with the lid off”. The oldest of citizens will tell listeners that only the toughest of ’em will outlast the grind of the ‘burgh. Lest, they will say, the men be separated from the boys.
With its lines of steel factories and the multitude of jobs there for the taking, the acclaimed City of Champions is said to be the ideal place for journeymen looking to call themselves one with the “blue-collar” middle class. Such a notion would explain the city’s affinity with its Pittsburgh Steelers, a football team that has made many proud to say they are from Pittsburgh, even if they would be the first ones to catch a train out of town afterward.
In the days of yesteryear, The Steel Curtain ruled the National Football League. The Steelers made Three Rivers Stadium a place to be dreaded by its foes. The team was led by Hall of Fame linebacker “Mean” Joe Greene and a colourful cast of characters who would win the Super Bowl four times and boast one of the best defenses in the sport’s history. Many argue that the ’70s Steelers dynasty is football’s greatest, and to this day, the argument is still able to stand the test of time.
A known commodity in life though is all good things must come to an end and so it would be for Pittsburgh’s dynasty. With Hall of Fame head coach Chuck Noll’s departure from the Steelers in 1991 to get on with his “life’s work”, The Steel Curtain would fall and years of inconsistency would follow. That was until the 2004 NFL Draft when the Steelers would start another chapter in the team’s history.
Pittsburgh used its 11th overall pick in the first round to select Ben Roethlisberger, a 6'5", 240-pound quarterback from the University of Miami-Ohio. Roethlisberger was always said to have been on the team’s radar. Steelers’ general manager Kevin Colbert liked the fact that Roethlisberger could stand and fight in the pocket, a skill that has served him well throughout his NFL career. Colbert’s gut told him that “Big Ben” had the “it” factor.
16 years later, the general manager’s gut feeling would turn out to be right. “Big Ben” has helped lead the Steelers to the Super Bowl three times, two of which Pittsburgh won, including in his rookie year. Amongst Roethlisberger’s list of accomplishments, he won the 2004 Offensive Rookie Player of The Year. He made it to the Pro Bowl six times and counting. Roethlisberger has thrown for 3,000+ yards in 13 of 16+ years in the NFL. Not forgetting to mention, he leads most of the Steelers all-time records for the quarterback position and makes a good case for himself to be the best Steelers player to ever step foot on Heinz Field.
Yet, after suffering a season-ending elbow injury in 2019, some thought it was time for Roethlisberger to get on with his “life’s work”. A panel on the NFL Network unanimously agreed that Roethlisberger had nothing left to prove. Sportswriters in Pittsburgh theorized that the Steelers should start looking towards the future of the team’s quarterback position.
Roethlisberger, on the other hand, had different ideas.
“Big Ben” saw the parallels Pittsburgh’s league-leading defense had with the immortalized Steel Curtain dynasty of the ’70s. He reasoned that his young receiving core of JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, and Chase Claypool had unlimited potential, especially after Claypool’s four-touchdown game against the Philadelphia Eagles in week five.
Of course, Roethlisberger also wanted to help his “brothers” Maurkice Pouncey and Alejandro Villanueva on the offensive line get a Super Bowl ring after years of protecting his blindside.
When push came to shove, Rothlisberger reckoned he should give ‘er another go. After his surgery, he spent the rest of 2019 rehabbing his elbow and had himself ready for training camp. He came to camp in what he called “the best shape of his life”.
With the COVID-19 pandemic putting hard times on Pittsburgh as it is known, Roethlisberger wanted to give Pittsburghers a new hope, a momentary escape from the deaths, the jobs lost, and the families pondering the question of what’s next.
In his first game of the season against the New York Giants, Big Ben looked like his old self, completing 21 of his 32 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns. The Athletic’s Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly said Roethlisberger looked like someone who could carry his team to another Super Bowl.
Since then, Roethlisberger has improved in each of his last five games. He has been spreading the ball out to all of his receivers. Statistically speaking, Roethlisberger is off to the hottest start of his Steelers career.
In what Steelers fans would call a “sight to see”, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Roethlisberger is working with his offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner to help weaponize the Steelers running game in hopes of adding another dimension to the team’s offensive attack. In year’s past, the quarterback has had some shaky relationships with his offensive coordinators. Leading fans to believe Big Ben is “all in” this season.
Although the AFC boasts dangerous teams such as the defending Super Bowl champs Kansas City Chiefs, the dominant Baltimore Ravens, and the promising young Buffalo Bills, experts say not to count out the Steelers. With a strong defense and a healthy Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers have a “real good chance” to make a run at the Super Bowl.
For the 38-year-old Roethlisberger, this season means so much more. It is his chance to prove why he is one of the best quarterbacks of his era. Yes, pundits will say there was Tom Brady and there was Peyton Manning, but when the history books are written, he wants folks to know there was also Big Ben Roethlisberger too.
At this point, Roethlisberger is playing with the house’s money. His critics might count him out. They might say he is too old, his numbers are not what they used to be, and mention that quite frankly, he is injury prone. History, Steelers fans will argue, might say otherwise. Case in point, the Super Bowl-winning 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers.
Men with nothing to lose will stop at nothing to win.
You can follow Christian on Twitter @HolmesyWrites
