Steelers Legendary Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger Planning An Exciting Return To The Gridiron As A Coach

The Pittsburgh Steelers found the answer to their quarterback dilemma in the 2004 NFL Draft when they selected Ben Roethlisberger in the first round. During his 18 years in the league, all in Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger experienced some thrilling highs and some devastating lows. Now, less than two years after retiring in January of 2022, Roethlisberger has announced that he will be returning to the gridiron during the fall of 2023. 

During his time at Miami University in Ohio, he broke multiple records and led the Red Hawks to an unbeaten record in the MAC and a win at the GMAC Bowl in 2003. He finished his last season there with a conference-high 343 completions, 4,486 passing yards, and 37 passing touchdowns. That broke the school record in each of those categories. He was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Year for 2003. 

When he entered the 2004 NFL Draft, he was considered the second-best quarterback behind Eli Manning and was mostly projected to be taken as the fourth overall pick by the New York Giants. However, the snafu regarding Manning's snubbery of the then-San Diego Chargers and the trade with Philip Rivers freed up Roethlisberger so the Steelers could steal him with the 11th overall pick. Incidentally, he holds the lead among the three for most wins, winning percentage, most postseason appearances, and the longest career. 

He quickly established himself as the franchise quarterback, giving the organization and fans something that had been missing since Terry Bradshaw retired in 1983. Roethlisberger took over for an injured Tommy Maddox against the Baltimore Ravens and they never looked back. He went 13-0 his rookie season, but lost in the playoffs. This gave him the record for the most wins by a rookie (now tied by Dak Prescott) and he was selected as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. 

Roethlisberger would lead the Steelers to three Super Bowl appearances. The first, during his second season with the team, came after they went 11-5. The Steelers pulled off upset after upset beating higher-seeded teams. They battled the Seattle Seahawks for Super Bowl XL and won 21-10 despite Roethlisberger having a terrible passing game that day. However, the team was able to succeed when it counted most with Antwaan Randle El throwing a 37-yard pass to receiver, Hines Ward. This was the first time a receiver had ever thrown a touchdown pass in a Super Bowl. Roethlisberger may not have thrown any touchdowns that game, but he was the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl at 23 years old.

In 2008, the Steelers and Roethlisberger made it to Super Bowl XLIII and beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-23. The game was wildly dramatic with the Steelers dominating early and establishing a 20-7 lead. However, the Cardinals mounted a comeback and managed to inch their way ahead 23-20 nearing the final two-minute warning. Roethlisberger took his team 88 yards in only eight plays. He managed to connect with receiver Santonio Holmes for one of the most incredible catches ever witnessed to win the game. He finished with a passer rating of 93.2.

The Steelers seemed unstoppable at that point behind Roethlisberger's leadership and returned to the Super Bowl XLV in 2010. Unfortunately, the game did not go their way and they lost to the Green Bay Packers 31-25. Roethlisberger was 25 for 40, 263 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He said after the game that he felt like he let everyone down. 

While the Steelers have not returned to the Super Bowl since then, Roethlisberger was a big part of why the team always stayed relevant and finished with winning records. During his career, he threw for 64,088 yards and 418 touchdowns. He earned six Pro Bowl nods and had a career passer rating of 93.5. 

Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Announces He Will Return To The Field

After Roethlisberger retired, he said he just wanted to spend time with his family. There was still a great deal of speculation about the possibility of another team enticing him into coming back, but he did not, until now. 

According to the Pittsburgh-based social media group, OneBurgh, Roethlisberger will be coming back to help coach youth football. Per their Facebook post, he will debut as the assistant coach of the Quaker Valley Youth team (9-10 year-olds) called the "Fighting Quakers." 

"This changes all preseason power rankings in 9-10 football. What an awesome opportunity for the kids! Have a great season."

Quaker Valley Youth Football and Cheer (QVYFC) says its mission is to provide every child with the opportunity to be involved in sports. Their website says they emphasize, "teamwork, sportsmanship, camaraderie, and physical fitness" as well as safety in their programs. 

While Roethlisberger does have two young sons, Benjamin Todd Jr. and Bodie, they don't seem to be the right age to be on the team. Young Ben was born in 2012, making him 11 and Bodie was born in 2016 making him just seven. Roethlisberger has said on his podcast, Footbahlin' With Ben Roethlisberger, that while his son, Ben Jr. has been playing youth football, he isn't pushing him to continue to follow in his footsteps. 

Are you surprised that Roethlisberger will be coaching youth football? Click to comment below! 

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