Big Ben's Amazing Rookie Season
19,414
Published 2022-01-08
2004 was a truly SPECIAL season for the Steelers, despite not hoisting a Lombardi at the end. It remains one of my favorite seasons of all time, and other than 1976, the 2004 squad was perhaps the best Steeler team to not win a Super Bowl. It was an incredibly fun year. And central to that fun was the birth of the Ben Roethlisberger era.
Ben elevated the team from the moment he stepped on the field. By his 3rd start, he was taking over games. He very quickly distinguished himself as the best player on offense, and his insertion into the starting lineup almost instantly transformed that team from talented underachiever to heavyweight contender. The young QB wasn't perfect... but he had "Hall of Fame" written all over him right from the start. And the Steelers immediately began winning games with Ben that they would've lost without him.
Throughout his career, it's never been about what Roethlisberger has done "statistically." He's never been a particularly coveted fantasy football player, even in the midst of 5000-yard seasons. That's because fantasy football is 100% stats-based, and stats aren't what make Ben great. It's about what he does in BIG moments, clutch plays that "only" Ben Roethlisberger makes, that winning edge that he brought to the team from the moment he stepped on the field. Ben is largely defined by intangibles. But first and foremost, it's about WINNING. And he's been winning since the start.
This video features highlights from every regular season start of Ben Roethlisberger's amazing "Rookie of the Year" season in 2004. It's a long video (16-1/2 minutes), but I've watched it multiple times and it makes me smile every time.
All Comments (21)
-
I went to the home opener against the Raiders. Bought his jersey and decided to keep it in the plastic until he started his first game. Didn't stay in the plastic very long.
-
I'm a life long Dallas fan but Big Ben is and always has been my favorite rookie of all time. He was the total package. Personally, I've never seen a player who from their first snap looked like a seasoned vet. But most of all I loved that he played that bloody, schoolyard, in the vacant lot type ball we used to play when we were young.
-
The last of the great old school QBs. Thank you Ben, for giving us so many Sunday memories. See you in Canton.
-
First years of my life I watched Big Ben loved seeing him play in personšš»
-
So much magic his rookie year. Saw him play in his Sr yr at Miami (OH) and thought, wow, who is this kid? Heās bigger than all his lineman. As a STEELERS fan, didnt think they would be in position to take a QB the following Spring but they were and I hoped it would be him. Size strength, and the rest is history. I live in Ohio but have been a STEELERS fan for 50yrs. Great to have seen all of Bens career and to have seen him in college. The journey was awesome! See U in Canton in 3 yrs.
-
Man, do I miss the Steelers of the 2000's.
-
6:25 I remember this live. Parcells does too š
-
Ben was the beast on 3rd Down conversions.
-
Who said big Ben couldn't move and was a statue was nuts. Idk if will ever find a qb as good like him ever again !? Plaxico and Hines were great . I hope Roman Wilson is half as good as Hines Ward ! I wish we would of got Josh Allen he reminds me of Ben so much.
-
It's that 36 to 38 years old qbs fall off a mountain and Ben was no exception.
-
Never forget this manās rookie and sophomore year
-
That Hines Ward block at 9:35 had Dan Dierdorf rolling!
-
Burress loved those high line drive throws, he snatched them up.
-
Started out the best ended his career the best...luv luv..so missedš
-
Man Big Ben and Burress was dynamic duos!!!
-
Big Ben was a Quarterback in a tight ends body people forget his 40 time was faster than Mahomes
-
Seems like yesterday he was getting his first start in rain soaked Miami. His next stop will be in Canton.
-
Dude put up some great stats along the way too.
-
Thanks for your Steelers videos, Tim (on your website as well)! We are so grateful you went out of your way to provide all that content!
-
looks a million times better than Pickett
