Steelers Legend Ben Roethlisberger Detailed The Hardest Hit Of His Career

When the best quarterbacks of all time are discussed, former Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger should alongside seven-time Super Bowl champion, Tom Brady. Though two of the very best, they could not have had a more different approach to the game. While Brady was well known for his "TB12 Method" consisting of a holistic health approach, Roethlisberger's nutrition and in-season regimens didn't always exemplify that of a world-class athlete.

Brady typically put an end to the Steelers' playoff dreams, but the two quarterbacks both are commended for having long, successful, Hall of Fame worthy careers. When Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 NFL season, Brady shouted out Roethlisberger on Twitter for his scrappy and tough approach to the game.

The Steelers Toughness Goes Beyond The Defense

Roethlisberger first became known for his tough mentality after starting a Week 2 contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2006, just days after having an appendectomy. Hours before the game, the quarterback had a fever reaching 104 degrees. Regardless, Roethlisberger started and played the entirety of a not-so-pretty, 9-0 loss. 

Sunday, the former quarterback hosted 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year, TJ Watt, on his podcast: Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger. Similar to Roethlisberger, Watt would do anything to take the field with his team. 

The linebacker is coming off of a disappointing, injury-ridden season and is hoping to stay healthy in 2023. After speaking on his injury and his hardest endured career hits, the question was then turned to the former quarterback. Roethlisberger detailed the hardest hit of his career, taking place in none other than Baltimore Ravens' territory. 

"Bart (Scott) came around his left, my right side, and Willie Parker, love you to death, but Willie went left instead of right to pick him up. So I thought he was picked up, so I was looking left and he hit me in my chest and everything went slow motion from there."

Despite the pain radiating throughout his body, Roethlisberger didn't miss a play that game. This wasn't his first or last hard hit in Baltimore. In what was perhaps his most well-recognized moment of toughness, the quarterback endured a broken nose against the Ravens in 2010. As always, a Ravens and Steelers matchup is meant for physicality and intensity. 

Additionally, tensions were high as the game would most likely determine the AFC North with both teams sitting at 8-3. With an already injured ankle from the game prior against the Buffalo Bills, Roethlisberger got nailed in the nose by Haloti Ngata. Immediately, the quarterback's nose was profusely bleeding and had taken on a new shape. This only motivated Roethlisberger as he led the Steelers to a 13-10 victory.

This mentality and toughness that Roethlisberger exhibited throughout the entirety of his career only made the city of Pittsburgh fall more in love with him. Unlike some of his competitors, Roethlisberger didn't need the glitz and the glamour. He didn't even need a fully intact ankle. He needed a team and a football to get the job done. 

Roethlisberger's successor, Kenny Pickett is expected to follow in his footsteps. In his NFL debut against the New York Jets, Pickett stood up from a nasty hit delivered by Quinnen Williams with a smile on his face. Although he did later detail that he wasn't smiling on the inside, calling it his "welcome to the NFL moment," the young quarterback knows that it comes in the job description. Just a game later against the Bills, Pickett shoved Shaq Lawson after a late dirty hit. Once again, he proved that he's not afraid to be aggressive and scrappy.

Roethlisberger has certainly set the bar high in Pittsburgh in a plethora of ways, but one thing that is imperative as the Steelers quarterback is a tough mentality. Will Pickett continue to fill these shoes in 2023? Let us know in the comments below.

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