Ben Roethlisberger – And the Stairway to Seven

Is Roethlisberger Tough as Steel

Since he started as a Pittsburgh Steeler, Roethlisberger has shown many times that he is as strong as the steel that his adopted city is famous for. Not only does he have strength in his arm and his body on the playing field. But he has an inner strength that helps him come back from injuries. Just one of many examples was in 2010 while playing the rival Baltimore Ravens and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata broke his nose. Unlike how a lot of other quarterbacks would have reacted. Roethlisberger simply went to the sidelines. Had his nose snapped back into place, a shield added to his helmet and went back out to play.

Now of course, this has good and bad points to it. This latest injury that kept him out for the 2020 season may have started last year or earlier. However knowing Roethlisberger he would have simply pushed past it to continue playing. On the plus side, once he was allowed to start throwing he said his arm felt stronger and better than it had in years. With a great combination of new and experienced players on the offense. Added to a strong defense, Roethlisberger’s experience and drive is invaluable to the Steelers.

How Many Seasons Does he Have Left

Every professional athlete will someday have to retire, and Roethlisberger will be no exception. The question is, when will that time be? Football is a business as much as a sport, and as such the Steelers organization has to look at it that way. The idea has been brought up, should he still play, should a back-up quarterback be put into the foreground.

Both Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges are talented young quarterbacks. Of course, being young means a lack of experience that Roethlisberger has. Neither young quarterback was entering the game in the best of circumstances. The offense was designed with Roethlisberger in mind, so this could have some account for why they had a hard time adjusting. In due time, either man can grow to be a starting quarterback, but when you have a man like Roethlisberger. A man who has proven what he can do, another year or two at a minimum doesn’t seem unrealistic.

Roethlisberger is a True General

Roethlisberger has been called by many, a general of his team. Truth be told, any quarterback needs to be a general and be able to lead his team to victory. When a player becomes a quarterback, whether he wants to or not, he shoulders an extra responsibility of leading his team. Some take to this role easier than others, however, in Pittsburgh, this isn’t a problem. Roethlisberger can lead, make new plays on the fly, read a defense well enough to call an audible and throw the other team off. His enthusiasm and skill often affects the players around him and brings up their level of play. This isn’t something that can be taught, each man has their own way of being a leader. Roethlisberger and his leadership fits the Pittsburgh aura perfectly.

Bottom Line

The Steelers Nation is not unused to criticism or trash talk from other teams. With a quarterback who is one of the oldest in the league, it is natural to hear talk about whether or not he should retire. Yes, he has had injuries, yes he isn’t 20 anymore. However, he has a way of deifying odds and rising above the many injuries he has gotten in the past. After recovery from this injury, a good, strong feeling arm may be just what the team needs to finally get the next ring. Which would make them the first team to climb the stairway to seven.  

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