Ben Roethlisberger’s message to Steelers fans: ‘Best fans in sports’

Things were beyond emotional at Heinz Field on Monday night as Pittsburgh Steelers fans said goodbye to team legend Ben Roethlisberger. 

If you shed a tear or two on Monday night at the end of the matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, you’re not alone. As Ben Roethlisberger stood out on the gridiron checking out the stadium, folks in the stands gave him an incredible ovation.

For years now, Roethlisberger has meant so much to this team, helping Pittsburgh win two Super Bowls. After the Monday Night Football win, he spoke to the media and didn’t mince words when discussing what the Pittsburgh supporters have meant to him.

Ben Roethlisberger’s love for Steelers fans can’t be measured

“These fans and this place just means so much to me and my family,” an emotional Roethlisberger said. “It always will. I’ve always said that they’re the best fans in all of sports and I’ll stick to that until the day I die.”

Those are the words of a man who will never forget the incredible amount of support he’s received from the Pittsburgh faithful ever since his rookie year. Roethlisberger joined the Steelers way back in 2004. Since then, he’s gone on to throw for nearly 64,000 yards and 417 touchdowns.

Although Roethlisberger hasn’t officially announced that he’ll be retiring at the end of the season, all signs are pointing in that direction. For Pittsburgh to make it into the playoffs, they’ll need to win on Sunday, plus the Colts to lose and the Raiders and Chargers showdown to not end in a tie. Indianapolis will be taking on the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars.

It’s very likely this upcoming Sunday’s meeting with Baltimore will be Roethlisberger’s last contest as a Pittsburgh Steeler. Come 2022, fans will have to get used to a new signal-caller running the offense for head coach Mike Tomlin.