Steelers Throwback Thursday: Five defining moments of Big Ben’s career
Steel City Underground takes fans back in time to feature events, special moments, and historical times and players in the world of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Steelers Nation. Join us as we revisit these moments in our “Steelers Throwback Thursday” series.
If there are things that the Pittsburgh Steelers are known for, legendary players and Super Bowl glory rank at the top. The team boasts a rich history characterized by success and players who have created iconic moments.
One of those legendary players is Ben Roethlisberger. Steelers fans had waited for the better part of two decades to finally land a franchise quarterback who would succeed another legend, Terry Bradshaw.
Drafted in 2004, the quarterback out of Miami University (in Ohio, not Florida) Roethlisberger would have an illustrious 18-season career in the NFL. Narrowing down his top moments with the Pittsburgh Steelers is difficult as the team has had several moments of success and picking a few would be an injustice to Steelers fans.
In this article, we will attempt to explore the Ben’s best moments.
Ben’s first start
The legend that would become Ben Roethlisberger didn’t start overnight, as the quarterback was firmly placed as third on the team’s depth chart by then head coach Bill Cowher. However, injuries to starter Tommy Maddox and backup Charlie Batch would pave the way for Roethlisberger getting on the field.
Ben’s first start would be the stuff of legend for many reasons, as the road game against the Miami Dolphins would be played amidst hurricane-like conditions.
Roethlisberger would go 12-of-22 passing for 163 yards with a touchdown and an interception. However, the Steelers would survive, winning 13-3 and kicking off a 15-game winning streak, which would see Pittsburgh win 14 consecutive regular season games on their way to a 15-1 record. That season also culminated with Roethlisberger winning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The Return
After playing on six quarters of football during the 2019 season, all eyes were on Roethlisberger’s rehab from a UCL injury in 2020. The 2020 season had its own wild circumstances surrounding it, as the league navigated its way around a global pandemic.
As such, no preseason games were played that year, so no one was able to see how Big Ben may have recovered. He suffered brutal injuries and took a lot of hits in the previous seasons, both of which had many, including betting enthusiasts writing him off.
The first opportunity to see Roethlisberger in action would come in Week 1 on the road against the New York Giants. He would not disappoint, throwing for three touchdowns in a 26-16 victory that would spark another unbeaten streak, as Pittsburgh would rattle off eleven straight wins to start the 2020 season.
Divisional Round at Indianapolis Colts, January, 2006
Big Ben had promised the soon-to-retire Jerome Bettis that he would lead his teammate to a Super Bowl victory. Those hopes almost came to a fatal end, when the consistently sure-handed Bettis fumbled on the Colts two-yard line for what would have been a game ending touchdown.
Instead, Colts defensive back Nick Harper scooped up the loose football and had daylight ahead to turn the game in his team’s favor. Roethlisberger, however, did not give up on the play and made a diving effort to tackle Harper at the Indianapolis 42-yard line.
With 21 seconds remaining in the game, Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt would miss a 46-yard field goal, allowing the sixth-seed Steelers to move on in the playoffs, all the way to and winning Super Bowl XL.
Super Bowl XLIII
In ways, the Super Bowl played in February 2009, marked a new era for the Steelers. The culmination of the 2008 season was that of one of the greatest Steelers defenses in league history, led by Roethlisberger, Troy Polamalu, James Harrison and their young head coach Mike Tomlin.
While this game featured one of the greatest defensive plays of all-time by James Harrison (who returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown) it will forever be remembered for Big Ben’s clutch touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes. That play lifted Pittsburgh to a 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals and a record sixth Lombardi trophy.
Decimating the Colts in 2014
On October 26, 2014, against the Indianapolis Colts, Ben Roethlisberger would have a game for the ages. The Steelers having an up-and-down start to their season, they would enter their home matchup with a 4-3 record and as a 4.5 point underdog.
Would would transpire was a history-making game for the future Hall of Famer, as Roethlisberger completed 40 of his 49 passes for 522 yards and six touchdown passes.
Big Ben would become the fourth quarterback in NFL history to get 100 wins in his first 150 starts, while also being the first to pass for over 500 yards twice in his career: a record he would since break twice and holds to this day.
