Ben Roethlisberger gets quite the send-off after Steelers win vs Browns

It may not have been the game Ben Roethlisberger was hoping for, but it was terrific non-the-less. Here’s how the long-time Steelers QB played left on a high note. 

I’ve been as hard on Ben Roethlisberger as anyone over the past few years. While his performance from a statistical standpoint against the Browns isn’t what he may have hoped for, I’m not going to focus on that right now — for obvious reasons.

I’m not even going to spend any time in this article talking about the fantastic performance of T.J. Watt and the Steelers defense in Week 17. Monday Night Football was about Big Ben, and right now, nothing else matters.

This game had a different feeling from the start. Whether you were watching from the stadium or the comfort of your own home, Steelers fans around the globe could be unified in feeling surreal energy as Roethlisberger ran out of the tunnel at Heinz Field one last time.

The offense took a while to get going against the Browns, as they were held scoreless in the first quarter before chipping in 10 points in quarter number two. Still, Pittsburgh held the lead the entire game and finished with a 26-14 victory on their own turf (thanks in large part to Najee Harris finding a crease late in the fourth quarter as the Steelers were milking the clock).

Big Ben finished the game by completing 24 of 46 passes for 123 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception, via ESPN… but like I said, I’m not here to dwell on his performance on Monday Night Football.

Ben Roethlisberger was given quite the send-off

Regardless of Ben’s struggles on Monday Night Football, this game couldn’t have been more emotional for Steelers fans. As time ticked off the clock in the fourth quarter, the thought of Roethlisberger never putting his black home jersey on again really dawned on me.

I was both sad that the quarterback I have watched for over half of my life on this earth was really leaving, and happy that I got to witness not only this moment but everything he has done for this team over the past 18 years.

As time ticked off the clock, it was clear that Big Ben was flooded with emotion in his final kneel-down on his home turf. The Steelers quarterback was met with an embrace by his teammates as the paparazzi rushed the field.

During his post-game interview, Roethlisberger had tears in his eyes as he panned the crowd at Heinz — knowing this is it and trying to soak up the moment. When finished, did a victory lap around the base of the stadium as he high-fived Steelers fans at Heinz Field one last time.

What a historic moment it was! I didn’t think that I was going to feel quite this emotional following the game, but it’s crazy to think that after nearly two decades leading this team, this is finally it for the future Hall of Fame quarterback.

Ben Roethlisberger will play in one final game on the road against the Baltimore Ravens where he will likely get one more send-off out of respect from his long-time rival. However, this was his last time exiting the tunnel at Heinz Field — this time with his family — and this moment really could not have been more emotional. Big Ben will be missed.