Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger captured attention this week for proclaiming on Monday night that God has greatly “blessed” him.
Roethlisberger made his comments during an on-field interview with ESPN.
“I’m just so thankful for the fans, my family, obviously,” he said. “The good Lord has blessed me in so many ways.”
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Roethlisberger, 39, made his proclamation after playing what was potentially his final game in an 18-year career with Pittsburgh. Sports Spectrum reported that, while his retirement isn’t official, it appears to be “imminent.”
“The good Lord has blessed me in so many ways.”@steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger plays his final game in Pittsburgh. @_BigBen7 #steelers pic.twitter.com/yMdElnnq2l
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) January 4, 2022
Roethlisberger got his wish for a final home game career win as well, with the Steelers locking a 26-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
It was his 164th win with the team, and that’s notable because Roethlisberger has the most victories of any quarterback with any one team in NFL history, according to Sports Spectrum.
Watch the NFL star hugging his kids after the game:
Big Ben hugging his kids after the win ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gFbWaXh2AU
— ESPN (@espn) January 4, 2022
Roethlisberger’s “God” message on Monday should come as no surprise. He has been open in the past about his Christian faith — and his struggles.
He discussed during the ManUp Pittsburgh event in 2020 facing addictions like alcohol and pornography. Athletes, he said, are humans like everyone else.
“We sin like everybody else. I am no different. We make mistakes. We get addicted to things. We sin. We’re human,” he said. “I think sometimes we get put on this pedestal where we can’t make mistakes. I’ve fallen as short as anybody. I’ve been addicted to alcohol. I’ve been addicted to pornography, which makes me then not the best husband, not the best father, not the best Christian I can be.”
Despite these struggles, he said it’s possible to overcome barriers and challenges and to press on with God.
“You have to dedicate yourself and understand that you can get out of it because of the grace of God and him saying, ‘Listen, you’re good enough for me the way you are. You don’t have to be perfect,'” he said.
Roethlisberger also shared during the event that he had been baptized a second time three years before his address — and had rededicated his life to God.
“I just felt that I needed to do that,” he said. “I wanted to have a closer walk, a better relationship with Jesus, with my wife, with my kids, my family, become a better person.”
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