Ben Roethlisberger

Roethlisberger was raised in Ohio by his parents, Ken and Brenda Roethlisberger. His younger sister, Carlee Roethlisberger, competed in basketball and volleyball at the University of Oklahoma. In July 2011, Roethlisberger married Ashley Harlan in Ohio Township, Pennsylvania. The couple has three children: sons Benjamin Jr. and Bodie, and daughter Baylee Marie.

Outside of athletics, Roethlisberger founded the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, an organization focused on providing support for police and fire departments across the United States, with a particular emphasis on funding K-9 and service dog units. He has also actively supported charitable efforts with the Ronald McDonald House and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

After entering the NFL four credits short of a degree in 2003, Roethlisberger fulfilled a longstanding promise to his family by returning to his studies during NFL off-seasons. In May 2012, he graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

At Findlay High School in Ohio, Roethlisberger excelled across multiple sports, serving as team captain in football, basketball, and baseball. He did not become the varsity starting quarterback until his senior season in 1999 under head coach Cliff Hite, having previously played wide receiver. During that senior season, he threw for 4,041 yards and 54 touchdowns, earning Ohio Division I Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Roethlisberger committed to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he played under head coach Terry Hoeppner. After redshirting in 2000, he became the starting quarterback in 2001 and led the RedHawks for three seasons, compiling a 27-11 record. In 2003, he guided Miami to a Mid-American Conference (MAC) title and a GMAC Bowl victory, finishing the year ranked No. 10 in the AP poll.

By the end of his collegiate career, Roethlisberger held 21 school passing records, including 10,829 career passing yards and 84 touchdowns. Miami University retired his No. 7 jersey in October 2007, making him only the third football player in program history to receive the honor, and inducted him into the Miami Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Roethlisberger with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Originally slotted behind veteran quarterback Tommy Maddox, Roethlisberger took over the starting role after Maddox suffered an injury in week two. He led the Steelers to 13 consecutive regular-season victories, helping Pittsburgh achieve a 15-1 record and a trip to the AFC Championship Game. For his historic debut campaign, he was unanimously voted the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

In his second professional season in 2005, Roethlisberger guided the Steelers on a postseason run as a wild-card team, which included road playoff wins against Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Denver. On February 5, 2006, the Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 in Super Bowl XL. At 23 years old, Roethlisberger became the youngest starting quarterback in NFL history to win a Super Bowl.

Roethlisberger captured a second championship in the 2008 season at Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals. Trailing in the final minutes, he orchestrated an 88-yard drive that culminated in a six-yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes in the corner of the end zone with 35 seconds remaining, securing a 27-23 victory. He later led Pittsburgh to another AFC Championship during the 2010 season, earning an appearance in Super Bowl XLV.

Throughout his career, Roethlisberger established himself as one of the NFL's prolific passers and clutch fourth-quarter performers. In 2014, he became the first quarterback in league history to throw six touchdown passes in consecutive games, achieving the feat against the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens. He also became the first NFL quarterback to record multiple career regular-season games with over 500 passing yards.

Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 NFL season after 18 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He concluded his career with 249 regular-season appearances, the most in Steelers history, alongside 64,088 passing yards and 418 touchdown passes. Over his 18 seasons, the Steelers achieved 12 postseason berths and eight AFC North division titles.