Ben Roethlisberger closes in on Terry Bradshaw’s record
By Matt Shetler
Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has accomplished quite a lot during his nine-year NFL career.
He’s the youngest quarterback in NFL history to even win a Super Bowl and has successfully taken one of the most run-dominant teams and turned them into a lethal passing team.
October 7, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) scrambles at mid-field against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE
While Roethlisberger has been busy taking the Steelers to the postseason and winning a pair of Lombardi Trophies, what he is on the verge of doing should certainly etch his name in stone among the greatest signal callers of all-time.
With 300 yards in Thursday night’s game against the Tennessee Titans, Big Ben would surpass Terry Bradshaw as Pittsburgh’s all-time leading passer. Bradshaw passed for 27,989 yards in 14 seasons. Roethlisberger has 27,690 only four games into his ninth.
It’s quite possible he gets there this week as the Titans have the 29th ranked pass defense in the league.
"“It’s an awesome honor, you know?” Roethlisberger told reporters after Tuesday’s practice (via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). “Shoot, a storied franchise and he’s The Guy, the face of this. I know there’s a lot of ’70s Steelers, but, when you’re talking about quarterbacks and offense and stuff, he’s the guy. To have an opportunity to break another record — and this is a pretty big one.”"
Bradshaw’s single-season best was 3,724 in 1979, while Roethlisberger already has two 4,000-yard seasons. In the process his arm has allowed the Steelers to adapt while maintaining their physical style of play.
While Big Ben sees it as an honor to even be mentioned in the same class as a legend such as Bradshaw, will Bradshaw feel the same?
Bradshaw has called out Roethlisberger in the past, but most of that had to do with Roethlisberger avoided an arrest following a suspected sexual assault before the 2010 season. However, there has always seemed to be a little bit of professional jealousy from Bradshaw towards Big Ben.
However, that seems like water under the bridge as of late and while no one wants to see their place in history be erased, my gut feeling is that Bradshaw will be nothing but professional when asked to comment on the situation. He’s had to know the time was coming sooner or later.
As for Roethlisberger, this will certainly solidify his place among Steelers’ greats and among the great signal callers of all-time.