Ben Roethlisberger (born March 2, 1982, in Lima,
Ohio), nicknamed Big Ben, is an American football
quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the
National Football League. He was originally drafted
by the Steelers 11th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft.
He played college football at Miami University.
Roethlisberger earned the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of
the Year in 2005. He became the youngest Super
Bowl-winning quarterback in NFL history, helping to
lead the Steelers to a 21-10 victory over the
Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL at the age of 23.
He was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2007.
At Findlay High School in Findlay, Ohio,
Roethlisberger was captain of the football,
basketball, and baseball teams. In baseball he
batted .300.
Roethlisberger did not play quarterback until his
senior year, giving way to the coach's son, Ryan
Hite. Instead, Roethlisberger played wide receiver
because coach Cliff Hite explained to the Toledo
Blade, "My son throwing to Ben was a better
combination."
Roethlisberger threw for 4,041 yards, 54 touchdowns
and seven interceptions in his one season as
quarterback at Findlay. The younger Hite threw for
1,732 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in
the year preceding Roethlisberger's quarterbacking
debut.
Hite told the Toledo Blade regarding the decision to
start his son at quarterback over Roethlisberger:
"I'm a nationally known knucklehead."
As for Roethlisberger, he has remained magnanimous.
He told a reporter for the Findlay Courier at the
NFL combine just prior to starting his NFL career,
"I'm up here now. So no, there's not too many
regrets."
Roethlisberger was taken 11th overall in the 2004
NFL Draft. On August 4, 2004 Roethlisberger signed a
six-year contract worth $22.26 million in salaries
and bonuses, with an additional $17.73 million
available via incentives. He was touted by former
Steelers coach Bill Cowher in a press conference as
a franchise quarterback.
On March 3, 2008, the Pittsburgh Steelers and
quarterback Ben Roethlisberger agreed to an
eight-year, $102 million contract. Roethlisberger
had two years left on the deal he signed with the
team as the 11th overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft.
He has stated that he wants to retire as a Steeler.
Big Ben set a new Steelers single-season record with
32 touchdown passes in the 2007-2008 season.
He was the youngest quarterback to ever win the
Super Bowl.
