The Pittsburgh Steelers were fortunate to have Ben Roethlisberger as their quarterback for 18 seasons. Drafted 11th overall in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft, Roethlisberger went on to win two Super Bowls, earn six Pro Bowl selections, and establish himself as one of the franchise’s greatest players ever. He passed for 64,088 yards, threw 418 touchdowns to 211 interceptions, and completed 64.4% of his passes. Over his legendary career, he led the Steelers to a remarkable 165-81-1 record.
Matt Freed / Post-Gazette
Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger waves to fans as he walks off the Kansas City Chiefs home turf.
Since Roethlisberger’s retirement, the Steelers have struggled to find his true successor. The offense has been in disarray, and many Steelers fans long for the days when Roethlisberger commanded the huddle. With him under center, there was always a belief that a Super Bowl run was within reach.
Hearing from Roethlisberger is always a special moment for Steelers fans. He regularly shares his insights on his podcast, Footbahlin, which airs weekly on the Channel Seven YouTube channel. In his latest episode, posted Tuesday night, Roethlisberger reflected on the greatest lesson football taught him.
“The first thing that popped in my head is just that things won’t always go your way,” Roethlisberger said. “You can work so hard and put in all the time and effort and grind and everything and it doesn’t mean you are going to win. It doesn’t mean you are going to play well.”
Roethlisberger’s response offered Steelers fans a glimpse into how his football mind operates. He explained that football is the ultimate team sport, where you can do everything right, but it doesn’t always pay off.
Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger against the Ravens.
This unpredictability, he said, is what fueled him. No matter the outcome of previous challenges, Roethlisberger was always determined to push through adversity and keep striving for success.
“And I think like perseverance right, like it is not going to go your way so you have to persevere,” Roethlisberger said. “Busting your butt, working so hard, and giving everything you have, then losing and being like tomorrow I am gonna go bust my butt and do it all again. It’s so easy to be like it didn’t work last time, so what do you want me to do it again for?”
That perseverance is likely what kept Roethlisberger playing in the NFL for as long as he did. Many believe he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and his two Super Bowl wins certainly strengthen his case for this prestigious honor.
SUPER BOWL XLIII
February 1, 2009Big Ben to Santonio
Ben Roethlisberger hits Santonio Holmes for the last-minute game-winner to secure the #Steelers' sixth ring.#HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/9k8xlT8oPm
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) February 1, 2025
Regardless of the timing of his induction, Roethlisberger will undoubtedly be enshrined in the Hall of Fame, and Steelers fans will eagerly celebrate his incredible legacy and his lasting impact on the franchise.
Steelers Have A Huge Choice To Make At Quarterback For The 2025 Season
As the Steelers move forward, they now face their own challenges. The quarterback situation has been uncertain, with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields both free agents. Only one of them is expected to return in 2025. While both quarterbacks showed promise in 2024, neither has firmly secured their place as the long-term solution for the Steelers.
In the coming months, Steelers fans will eagerly await more clarity on which quarterback will lead the team into the future. You can make cases for both Wilson and Fields. However, many Steelers fans are much more interested in bringing back Fields for 2025.
Barry Reeger / USA TODAY Sports
Steelers’ Russell Wilson and Justin Fields run on the field before a game.
Roethlisberger’s greatest lesson is the importance of perseverance. Throughout his career, he faced numerous setbacks and challenges, yet he always pressed on, never letting adversity define him. His ability to keep pushing forward, regardless of the outcome, became the cornerstone of his legendary career. Steelers fans can take inspiration from this lesson, knowing that perseverance, even in the toughest times, will lead to greatness.
