Ben Roethlisberger

Ben Roethlisberger ({{IPA2|????.l?s.?b?.g?}}) (born March 2, 1982 in Findlay, Ohio) nicknamed "Big Ben," is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL.

NFL career

Roethlisberger was taken 11th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. On August 4 2004 Roethlisberger signed his first contract with the Steelers, a six-year, 14 million USD contract with a signing bonus around $9 million, and was touted by Steelers coach Bill Cowher in a press conference as a franchise quarterback.

Related Topics:
NFL Draft - August 4 - 2004 - USD - Bill Cowher - Press conference

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He took over from Steelers starting quarterback Tommy Maddox after Maddox was injured during a game against the Baltimore Ravens. As of January 19, 2005, he was 14-0 as a rookie starting quarterback, surpassing former Steeler Mike Kruczek for the record for the best start by a rookie (5-0), and exceeding the mark for total wins as a rookie set by Chris Chandler and Joe Ferguson. Roethlisberger has received much praise from coaches in the NFL including Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells who compared him to NFL legend Dan Marino. On January 5, 2005 Roethlisberger was unanimously selected as The NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press, the second quarterback to be so honored.

Related Topics:
Tommy Maddox - Baltimore Ravens - January 19 - 2005 - Mike Kruczek - Chris Chandler - Joe Ferguson - Dallas Cowboys - Bill Parcells - Dan Marino - NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year - Associated Press - Quarterback

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So far, Roethlisberger's most accomplished feat has been leading the Steelers to a 34-20 victory over the defending Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots, ending their NFL-record 21-game winning streak. He completed 18 of his 24 pass attempts, including a 47-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress, and racked up 196 yards to go with two touchdowns; there were no interceptions. The week after that game the Steelers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, another unbeaten team, 27-3. This was the first time a team had beaten two undefeated teams in a row mid-season. Roethlisberger was 11 for 18, with two touchdowns and one interception.

Related Topics:
Super Bowl - New England Patriots - Plaxico Burress - Philadelphia Eagles

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In the divisional playoffs against the New York Jets, Roethlisberger threw one touchdown and two interceptions. One interception was returned for a touchdown, and the other was thrown with 2 minutes left in the fourth quarter, which set up a potential game-winning field goal by Jets kicker Doug Brien. Brien missed the kick as time expired, and forced the game into overtime. In overtime, Roethlisberger led the Steelers down the field and put them in position for the game winning field goal, a 33-yard attempt that was made by Jeff Reed, sending the Steelers into the AFC Championship Game for the 4th time in 10 years.

Related Topics:
New York Jets - Doug Brien - Jeff Reed - AFC Championship Game

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In the January 23, 2005 AFC Championship Game in Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger completed 14 of 24 pass attempts for 226 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw three costly interceptions. The Steelers lost the game to the New England Patriots by a score of 41 - 27. On February 3, 2005, Roethlisberger was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Related Topics:
January 23 - 2005 - New England Patriots - NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

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In Roethlisberger's rookie season, he set many rookie passing records, including best passer rating (98.1), and highest completion percentage (66.4%).

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He went 9 for 11 on 9/11.

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He wears #7 to pay tribute to John Elway of the Denver Broncos.

Related Topics:
John Elway - Denver Broncos

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He also once dated LPGA golfer Natalie Gulbis.

Related Topics:
LPGA - Natalie Gulbis

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