The Pittsburgh Steelers have a long line of legendary players throughout their history, with one being former quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. He had an illustrious 18-year career as the starter for the Steelers, and was one of the best quarterbacks in the league during his tenure. Many players have spoken about how good he was and his toughness is always at the top of the list. Former All-Pro for the Baltimore Ravens and their current cornerback Marlon Humphrey, vouched for Roethlisberger.
Punch Line Podcast With Marlon Humphrey / YouTube
Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger praised by Marlon Humphrey
On the most recent episode of Humphrey's podcast, Punch Line Podcast With Marlon Humphrey, Humphrey was asked by his co-host who the top four quarterbacks that he has played against throughout his NFL career are based on degree of difficulty. It took Humphrey zero hesitation to mention Roethlisberger.
"Okay top four. Mahomes, Big Ben, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen. Those are the guys I've played where I've been 'like frick man, we had em.'"
Roethlisberger had an amazingly successful career, but often times he is overshadowed by the other quarterbacks that played in the league at the same time as him such as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. It's refreshing for Steelers fans to see Roethlisberger get respect from his opponents, especially ones that has been a part of the team's biggest rival in the AFC North.
Peter Diana / Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger and Diontae Johnson celebrate in 2020
Steelers Diced Up The Ravens
During his rookie year, Humphrey got to see some of the best of Roethlisberger in 2017. In one of his first games against the Steelers, Roethlisberger shredded the Ravens defense for 506 passing yards and two touchdowns while the Steelers won a close one by a score of 39-38. It's certain that Humphrey remembers that amazing performance along with other ones that Roethlisberger has had against Baltimore.
"I got to go off guys that were cooking us. Big Ben has literally diced us up into a freaking 20-slice pie."
Humphrey was drafted by the Ravens in 2017 out of Alabama, so he only got to see the back end of Roethlisberger's Hall Of Fame career. However, Roethlisberger has been dominant against Baltimore many times as he had a career record of 19-11 against the Ravens in both the regular season and the playoffs. This includes defeating the Ravens in the AFC Championship game to send the Steelers to Super Bowl 43, in which they were victorious.
ESPN
Former Steelers owner Dan Rooney along side head coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after a victorious Super Bowl XLIII.
In Humphrey's career against Roethlisberger, the Ravens were only able to win one game versus the Steelers as Roethlisberger was 5-1 against Baltimore since 2017 to end his career. So, in Humphrey's eyes, Roethlisberger was dominant and he didn't even play against him in his prime. It's nice to hear for Steelers fans that Humphrey has so much respect and praise for Roethlisberger, as he never played against him when the Steelers were making runs to the Super Bowl and striking fear into their opponents.
One other player that Humphrey listed didn't list is Brady, who is considered to be the greatest quarterback to ever play football. Maybe it's because he didn't have to play Brady as much since they weren't in the same division, or for the past few years, even the same conference. Roethlisberger managing to place himself on a higher pedestal than Brady in Humphrey's eyes is extremely impressive and shows how good he truly was, even when some don't think that way.
What do you think of Humphrey's comments? Let us know in the comments below!
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