PITTSBURGH — Heinz Field was just minutes away from his last game. Ben RoethlisbergerFaced the Cleveland BrownsGame captains by themselves at the Pittsburgh SteelersMonday night,’midfield logo
Cam Heyward, a fellow Steelers captain, and Derek WattThe normal practice is to flank the quarterback during the walk to the coin flip, but the pair stopped short and let their quarterback proceed without them.
Roethlisberger realised what was going on and turned around to ask them to join him. However, the pair refused. Roethlisberger carried on until he stood at midfield for Heinz Field’s final coin toss of his 18-year professional career.
It was a subtle gesture that was fitting for the veteran who earlier said he prefers winning Monday night over pomp and circumstance as he bid farewell to his homefield.
Roethlisberger got his greatest wish fulfilled when the Steelers defeated the Browns 26-14.
Roethlisberger’s arm was the core of the Steelers’ offensive plan. Roethlisberger attempted 34 passes during the first half, which is the second-most attempts in a first period in Roethlisbergers NFL history, even playoffs. The 39-year old quarterback threw for just 95 yards in the first half, making him the first player to attempt at least 30 passes and less than 100 yards at the half.
He completed his last game with 24 of 46 attempts for 123 yard, one touchdown and an intercept.
Roethlisberger stated after the game, “It’s funny because probably it wasn’t the way you wanted it to be.” “And that’s the only thing that matters. That’s the story of my life: It wasn’t always easy, but we find a way.
The Steelers failed to pass on 35 out of 49 offensive plays in the first half for a 71% designed pass percentage. The Steelers hadn’t won a single game this season in which at least 70% were designed passes. Steelers are currently at 7-7 when Roethlisberger’s pass attempts exceed 40. Seattle won the other game in Week 6.
Roethlisberger displayed flashes of his vintage play throughout the season. He faked a pass to Ray Ray McCloud and gained nine yards over the middle for a touchdown. He led a second-quarter scoring drive, which culminated with a five yard touchdown throw. Diontae JohnsonThe Steelers have ended their five-game streak without scoring in the first half.
However, he did have an interception — his 220th career interception, which tied Terry Bradshaw for the most in franchise history — as well as being sacked twice. He also had the lowest average yards per attempt of any quarterback in the first half. In the first half, he averaged 1.4 yards per completion.
However, as much as Roethlisberger was criticized by the Steelers in his farewell match, Roethlisberger ran back Najee HarrisThe future was in sight as he ran a career-high 188 yards on 28 runs, setting a franchise record for rookie rush yards with 1,172.
He also ran 100 yards for his third rushing game. This was second only to Franco Harris’ 1972 seven. In less than a minute, he finished the game with a 37-yard touchdown rush — his longest run of the season — and a win. He also had 135 yards rush after contact Monday night — the most by any Steeler player in this season’s history and the most by any Steeler in the past 10 seasons.
T.J. WattAnother key piece of the Steelers future was also involved Monday night. He had four sacks to his credit, bringing him up to 21.5 sacks. This is just a few sacks shy of Michael Strahan’s 2001 22-season record. The Steelers had Mayfield sacked nine times Monday night as a team.
Roethlisberger stayed true to his pregame routine on Monday night. He did not enter the field for final warmups till 46 minutes before kickoff. Thomas Tull, Steelers minority owner, was there to embrace him. Tull took out a full-page advertisement in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Monday to thank Roethlisberger for his help. Tull also wore a Roethlisberger shirt in black.
Steelers owner and President Art Rooney II thanked Roethlisberger early in pregame warmups. However, outside of that, Steelers paid little tribute to the quarterback. The highlight reel didn’t include any Roethlisberger moments during the fourth-quarter Renegade.
Roethlisberger, as was expected, was the last player to be announced. He ran out the tunnel to a loud ovation, which was followed by a “Let’s Go Ben” chant. As the fans brought farewell signs and chanted goodbye to their favorite quarterback, the chant was heard throughout Heinz Field.
Roethlisberger was still on the sideline with a minute remaining. The crowd shouted, “Thank You Ben!” as Roethlisberger hugged his teammates on the sideline. Then, Tre NorwoodMayfield was intercepted with 10 seconds remaining, allowing Roethlisberger the opportunity to take the field at Heinz Field in victory formation one last time.
“I’m so grateful for this place,” he stated. “… It’s a beautiful place. I feel so blessed to have called this home for nearly half of my life.