Miami Ohio University Athletics
Roethlisberger Announces Retirement From NFL
1/27/2022 10:40:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH, Penn. --Â Ben Roethlisberger, record-breaking quarterback at Miami University from 2001-2003 and two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers, announced his retirement from the National Football League on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022.
Roethlisberger, a native of Findlay, Ohio, took his place in Miami football history when his jersey No. 7 was retired on October 13, 2007, becoming just the third individual in program history to have his number retired (four jerseys are retired at this time).
He sits in the top-two of every major Miami single-game, single-season and career passing mark, while topping Mid-American Conference charts in several categories. Roethlisberger helped orchestrate one of the most impressive seasons in Miami history as the 2003 RedHawks compiled 13 consecutive victories, a MAC championship, a Bowl victory and a No. 10 final ranking in the national polls. He captured third-team All-America honors from the Associated Press during his record-breaking junior campaign and became just the third Miami player to garner the Vern Smith Award as the MAC's Most Valuable Player.
Roethlisberger finished his Miami career throwing for 10,829 yards and 80 touchdowns. The RedHawks were 27-11 with "Big Ben" under center.
After foregoing his final year of collegiate eligibility and entering the NFL Draft as a junior, Roethlisberger was selected with the 11th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, the highest draft position of any Miami player in program history. During his 18 seasons with the Steelers, he's played in 249 games, passing for 64,088 yards and 418 touchdowns. Roethlisberger led Pittsburgh to Super Bowl victories twice (XL in 2006 and XLIII in 2009).
In 2014, Roethlisberger donated $1 million to the Dauch Indoor Sports Center where his name is prominently featured on the playing surface, just north of Yager Stadium.
