My Favorite Steeler

Dear Rooney Family,

This is a request urging you not to trade QB Ben Roethlisberger. I am fully aware of his multiple transgressions. I am also aware of the shame that these transgressions have brought to the Pittsburgh Steelers. These acts are regrettable and should not be tolerated by a franchise with an image as impeccable as the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, despite these issues, I implore you to not trade away Ben Roethlisberger.

I come from a long line of proud Pittsburgh Steeler fans. My grandfather and uncle watched the Immaculate Reception from their basement and when it happened, they ran out in the cold snow and celebrated into the night. They both fondly recounted these memories and many other Steeler memories to me in my youth. Even though I watched and cheered on Kordell Stewart and Jerome Bettis I never felt an emotional connection to the Steelers enough to call them “MY Team”, that is until Ben Roethlisberger came on the scene.

Enter Ben Roethlisberger, a tall QB whose play is clumsy, yet artful; lucky, yet masterful. Roethlisberger played a never give up style, many would call it backyard, of football that I immediately respected. He got to the AFC Championship in his rookie year and renewed my hopes for Super Bowl glory. The next year, he did something for which I am forever grateful, he helped the Steelers get to Super Bowl XL. Of the stories my grandfather and uncle would tell, the stories I was most envious over were the ones that involved my grandfather and uncle watching the Steelers win four Super Bowls. It was an experience and concept I could in no way comprehend or sympathize with, but was constantly reminded of when hearing of the proud history of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ben gave us the chance to do just that. Without Ben, we don’t beat Indy and probably don’t beat Denver. Ben got us to the Super Bowl and when we won I was finally able to understand the joy that my grandfather and uncle had experienced four times during the 70’s.

I was grateful for much more than a Super Bowl win that year. Ben managed to bring Bill Cowher, Jerome Bettis, and Hines Ward a Super Bowl championship. Despite my lack of an emotional connection during the 90’s I always had respect for these two men. Cowher was essentially my Grandfather on a football field, so I admired him in much the same fashion that I admire my Grandfather. I owned a Bettis jersey, the first of the many Steeler jerseys I now own, including the 75th Anniversary Jersey for Ben. Ward’s jersey was my second, and is my default jersey for most games. If anyone has directly benefitted from Ben, it is Hines Ward. A master of the release and King of the middle, many of Ben’s play extensions have involved Ward getting open and making some fashion of circus catch. Their connection on field is one of the best that I have seen between a quarterback and wide receiver and I would hate to see it end. These three men won championships thanks to Ben’s ability and his attitude on the field.

Ben has provided much more for me between his two Super Bowls. Every year I have ever played fantasy football, I have drafted Ben. In the 2007 season, when he threw 32 touchdowns, I won my championship. That year also brought me my 2nd favorite Steeler game ever. Monday Night Against Baltimore Ben threw five touchdowns, clobbering the previous AFC North champion, and holders of a perennially tough defense, Ravens. My uncle made fun of me for starting Ben against Baltimore, but I was the one who got the last laugh. For this I am also grateful. I have stayed by Ben’s side despite ridicule I have receiver after the accident or after he has a bad game. However, after Super Bowl XLIII, my faith in Ben was nationally vindicated.

I actually went to Super Bowl XLIII. That was the greatest game I have ever seen and most definitely my favorite. Before the game I bought a shirt with Ben on it. In big writing on the front it said “Mr. 4th Quarter”. I was ecstatic and had a feeling Ben would live up to that title during the game I was about to watch. As everyone knows, Ben did not disappoint. That’s the thing about Ben. According to Wikipedia Ben has had 22 4th quarter/overtime comebacks. Each of those 22 games were ridiculously entertaining and keep people watching other close games. With Ben at QB, we can always win. He always finds a way to get things done. Whether it is dumping off to a halfback while getting pulled down by a defensive lineman, to victimizing a 5th string Green Bay corner, barely scratching Baltimore’s end zone, or dropping a pass over triple coverage into the corner of the end zone, Ben gets the Steelers the win. If, as Tomlin has stated on numerous occasions, Steeler Football is 60 Minutes, Ben Roethlisberger is the perfect quarterback to execute that game plan.

So, we come to a decision. As far as backlash from fans is concerned, all Ben has to do is get on the field and do what he does best…win. The great thing about Ben is that when the pressure is on, he elevates to the challenge. Well, this situation is about as strong a pressure cooker as I have ever seen. In this environment where Ben will have to be a model citizen and win to earn the trust of the fans and franchise, Ben will most certainly deliver. Ben will consider this situation his 4th quarter and will deliver on the franchise willing to give him a second chance. I could quote “Innocent until proven guilty”, but I feel the following quote is more pertinent: "To every person of good will, eager to work tirelessly in the building of a new civilization of love, I say once more: Offer forgiveness and receive peace!" –Pope John Paul II.

Give Ben a second chance and the rewards you receive will be great. The Steelers will continue to win and could make a run at yet another Super Bowl. Even if we do not, Ben’s play will bring in new fans and spawn new fond memories. I look forward to the day that I can tell my son, nephew, and grandsons about the great Ben Roethlisberger and how he made me a Steeler fan. Please do not trade Ben. You put your faith in him by giving him a massive contract and we won a Super Bowl. Give him one more show of faith. Keep him on the Steeler roster and let him prove himself. Who knows what might happen. So, formally, I request that you do not trade Ben Roethlisberger, my favorite Steeler.

Sincerely,
Pittsburgh’s Native Son