PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger finally started to come back down to earth two days after an emotional victory Monday night in what likely was his last game at Heinz Field.
“You don’t until today, probably,” the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback said Wednesday morning. “Tuesday was still pretty special. You get up, and you realize what this week is. It’s Baltimore week. It makes it fun.”
Roethlisberger, who told reporters last week “all signs” pointed to the 26-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns being his last home game, said he was overwhelmed by the number of people who reached out to share messages with him as he prepares for his likely departure from the organization after 18 years as the Steelers’ franchise quarterback.
“Surreal. My family and I just felt so much love, and we felt so thankful for all the fans, former teammates, all the many, many notes that were written on social media, the texts we got, calls,” he said. “It’s really hard to put it into words. Like I said after the game, I wish I could bottle it up and keep it forever. I think one of the most special things about that night is that my kids are old enough to remember it. It was something that I’ll cherish and remember forever, and I think they will too. I can’t say enough thank-you’s to everyone who made that night so special.”
To Roethlisberger, the win against the Browns was reminiscent of Jerome Bettis’ hometown win in Super Bowl XL, hosted by Detroit, in his final game as a Steeler.
“It was magical what happened Monday night,” Roethlisberger said. “I’m sure Jerome would tell you the same thing. Just the magic of how you can end things. Obviously, we have another game, but speaking on that home game, it was against Cleveland, which is as close to my hometown as you can get. AFC North, a team that we’ve played so many times, at Heinz Field.
“I am so thankful for everybody, all my teammates who poured into it and had a little extra something. I was just so proud and thankful for Naj [
Source : espn
