Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger the choice among Ravens fans
By Matt Shetler
Here’s one I wouldn’t have seen coming.
After leading the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl championship and earning a seat at the table among the NFL’s best quarterbacks, you would think that Ravens fans would owe a debt of gratitude to Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco.
Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) smiles after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
But that’s not the case in Baltimore as given the choice, Ravens fans would choose Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and choose him in a big way.
The Baltimore Sun has a poll on its website that asks who is the better quarterback: Flacco or Roethlisberger?
Keep in mind that paper is in Baltimore. Also keep in mind the season Flacco is coming off of. Finally consider the fact that Ravens fans hate the Steelers in the same fashion that Steelers fans hate the Ravens and this would be the last thing you would expect to see.
The obvious thinking is that a lot of Steelers fans probably found their way to this poll, but common sense would lead you to believe that isn’t the entire reason for the landslide support of Big Ben.
While I personally like Flacco a lot, I wouldn’t trade Roethlisberger for him any day of the week.
When he’s healthy, Big Ben is still among the top signal callers in the game. Flacco on the other hand I believe still has to prove that he belongs in that class with a couple more big seasons.
You wouldn’t expect Roethlisberger to get that much more support than Flacco from Ravens fans, but give Ravens fans some credit for recognizing talent when they see it.
Although you have to feel bad for Flacco. The guy wins a Super Bowl and still has a hard time getting the respect he deserves from his own fan base.