Ben Roethlisberger

Ben Roethlisberger (born March 2, 1982 in Findlay, Ohio) nicknamed "Big Ben," is an American football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL. A quarterback, Roethlisberger was taken 11th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. In college, he played for the RedHawks of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Roethlisberger holds every major passing record at the school and a number of passing records in the Mid-American Conference despite the fact that he only played for three years. His former coach at Miami University, Terry Hoeppner, is now the head football coach for the Indiana University Hoosiers in the Big 10 Conference.

In high school, Roethlisberger was captain of the football, basketball, and baseball teams. There is an urban legend to the effect that Roethlisberger did not play quarterback until his senior year. In an interview he explained that he did not play quarterback in his junior years so that his coach's son, a senior, could have the position, but he did play his other school years.

On August 4 2004 Roethlisberger signed his first contract with the Steelers, a six-year, 14 million USD contract with an $8 million 2009 roster bonus, and was touted by Steelers coach Bill Cowher in a press conference as a franchise quarterback.

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.

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 "bomb" 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.

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.

In the January 23, 2005 AFC Championship Game in Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger completed 14 of 24 pass attempts for 226 yards and two touchdown, 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.

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

He wears #7 to pay tribute to John Elway of the Denver Broncos. He is also dating LPGA golfer, Natalie Gulbis.

Records

• Most career touchdowns by a Miami University quarterback - 84
• Most wins by an NFL rookie quarterback (2004) - 15
• Highest quarterback rating by an NFL rookie quarterback (2004) - 98.1
• Highest completion percentage by an NFL rookie quarterback (2004) - 66.4%

External links

• Official web site (http://www.br-7.com/)
• NFL.com: Ben Roethlisberger (http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/493043)ja:ベン・ロスリスバーガー