U.S.

‘God Has Blessed Me’: Steelers’ Roethlisberger Hints at Retirement After Playoff Loss

Super User 3:55PM January 18, 2022

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger says he’s ready for a new chapter in life with God at the helm.

Following his team’s 42-21 NFL playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday night in the AFC’s wild-card round, he told reporters in the post-game press conference that he’s been blessed to be able to play football but he’s preparing to move on. “I’m going to do everything I can to be the best husband and father I can be and try to expand God’s kingdom,” he said.

Even though he’s not yet uttered the word “retirement,” the six-time Pro Bowl quarterback, who returned the Steelers to prominence with a pair of Super Bowl wins, sounded as though he had played his last game in the NFL.

“It’s tough. I’m proud to have played with these guys,” he quietly told the assembled media. “God has blessed me with an ability to throw a football and has blessed me to play in the greatest city, Pittsburgh, with the greatest fans and the greatest football team and players, and it’s just been truly a blessing and I’m so thankful to Him for the opportunity that He’s given me.”

Ben Roethlisberger addresses the media: pic.twitter.com/l3eeMO4MQY

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 17, 2022

Roethlisberger spent his entire NFL career of 18 seasons wearing the Steelers’ black, gold and white. The Miami University alumnus won 165 NFL games, threw for more than 64,000 yards and kept the success going through hundreds of teammates, along with plenty of controversy and drama.

“I’ve been here a long time, and it’s been a lot of fun,” Roethlisberger said. “Like I said, God has blessed me … It was meant to be that I was going to wear black and gold. Draft day I had a black suit on with a gold tie. I’m just so thankful.”

His career began with winning the AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year award and ended with Roethlisberger leading a team few thought playoff-worthy to the postseason.

“I mean, shoot, we thought last week was going to be the end,” he said. “We got blessed to play another football game. Didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but it’s a blessing to play this football game. How lucky are we that we get to play football for a living? We have to count our blessings.”

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