When the Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the wild-card round on Sunday night, it was likely the end of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s long and illustrious NFL career. Even though he did not explicitly say that he is going to retire, the words he gave in the post-game press conference was telling.
“It’s tough. But I’m proud to play with these guys. God has blessed me with an ability to throw a football and has blessed me to play in the greatest city, in Pittsburgh, with the greatest fans and the greatest football team and players. It’s just been truly a blessing and I’m so thankful to Him for the opportunity that He’s given me,” he said after the 42-21 loss.
When the press asked him what was going to be his next move, without hesitation, he said, “I’m going to do everything I can to be the best husband and father I can be, and try and expand God’s Kingdom.”
During the game, the Steelers offense struggled in the first half. Then, Roethlisberger found his stride in the second half, connecting on touchdown passes to Diontae Johnson and James Washington.
If Roethlisberger does retire, it will be after a 26-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field. Following the win, he thanked God for allowing him to make one last memory in Pittsburgh. “I’m just so thankful for the fans, my family obviously. The good Lord has blessed me in so many ways,” he said in an interview.
Roethlisberger was drafted 11th overall in 2004. As a starter during the regular season as a rookie, he went 13-0. With Roethlisberger at quarterback, the Steelers have made the playoffs 12 times, winning the Super Bowl in 2005 and 2008 and reaching it again in 2010. He is a six-time Pro Bowler and has twice led the NFL in passing yards (2014, 2018).
Last season, Roethlisberger considered retiring. When asked about his future after losing to the Browns in the playoffs, he emphasized the importance of prayer in his decision. “It’s going to start between me and God, a lot of praying,” Roethlisberger said.
Roethlisberger has become much more vocal about his faith in recent years, which Steelers team chaplain Kent Chevalier attributes in part to Roethlisberger’s season-ending elbow injury in Week 2 of the 2019 season. That was the only time in Roethlisberger’s career when he didn’t play in at least 12 games.
“Three years ago I got baptized,” Roethlisberger said in the annual ManUp Conference in 2020. “I felt like I needed to do that. I wanted to have a closer walk, a better relationship with Jesus, with my wife, with my kids, with my family — become a better person,” he added.
“So I think the person that brought me to Him was Jesus. Jesus is the One who brought me back to Him, and I’m so thankful for it because I feel I’m a better Christian, a better husband and a better father today because of His forgiveness of me.”
God can change anyone no matter the status in life. If you are praying for someone to receive the salvation that God offers through Jesus Christ, continue praying because the answer is just a prayer away.