In 2006, Ben Roethlisberger became the youngest NFL (the National Football League) quarterback to win the Super Bowl in NFL history by leading his team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, to a victory over the Seattle Seahawks 21–10 in Super Bowl XL at age of 23 in his second professional season; Tom Brady of New England Patriots previously held the record.

It’s evident that the most critical position in American football is quarterback. Still, Roethlisberger did not play this position until his final year in high school — the quarterback position was given to his high school coach’s son.

In the first season of Roethlisberger’s debut in the NFL in 2004, he was selected the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press. Roethlisberger was the first quarterback in 34 years to be awarded.

What is Ben Roethlisberger’s Net Worth?

Ben Roethlisberger, also known as ‘Big Ben,’ only played for one team throughout his NFL career, the Pittsburgh Steelers, for 17 years or 18 seasons until he officially retired. As of July 2022, Ben Roethlisberger’s net worth is at a whopping US$100 million — it certainly aptly suited his nickname, Big Ben.

The main sources of Roethlisberger’s wealth came from his NFL contracts and incentives and bonuses. In 2004, Roethlisberger signed a six-year contract worth $22.6 million with an additional $17.73 million available via incentives. In 2008, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Roethlisberger agreed to another eight-year contract for $102 million, and in 2019 the two parties agreed to a two-year extension for $68 million with a $37.5 signing bonus.

Who is Ben Roethlisberger?

Benjamin Todd Roethlisberger Sr. was born on March 2, 1982,in Lima, Ohio. He was born to a Jewish household; later, he converted to a Christian. His mother’s name is Ida Jane, and his father, Kenneth Roethlisberger, is a former baseball pitcher and football quarterback. His younger sister, Carlee Roethlisberger, was a basketball player represented by the University of Oklahoma.

In 2012, Roethlisberger graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

After his retirement, he started Ben Roethlisberger’s charity work. The foundation has donated over $100,000 to fund police dogs in Pittsburg. The Roethlisberger foundation also donated $1 million to his former university for an indoor sports center.

Pre-professional Career

Ben Roethlisberger received his secondary education at a public school, Findlay High School in Findlay, Ohio. Roethlisberger demonstrated his leadership skills and sports talent when he was the caption of his high school’s football, basketball, and baseball teams. Roethlisberger played wide receiver in football and only played as a quarterback until his last year in high school, as the coach’s son gave him the position. Based on sources of online discussions, whether nepotism was involved is still debatable.

After high school, in 2001, Roethlisberger attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. In 2001, Roethlisberger debuted as a quarterback against the Michigan Wolverines football team. That season, he broke many school records, including single-game passing yards, attempts, completions, and yardage as a quarterback.

From his outstanding performance in the 2003 season, Roethlisberger earned the MAC Offensive Player of the Year. In honor of his outstanding achievements for the Miami Redhawks, the number 7 he wore was retired; becoming the first player in 34 years, the Miami Redhawks retired a football jersey number.

Professional Career in the NFL

Based on Roethlisberger’s performances in college, he was a hot commodity in the 2004 NFL Draft. The Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Bill Cowher, and director of football operations had other selections in mind. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers owner, Dan Rooney, overrode their decision and phoned Roethlisberger personally. In 2004, Roethlisberger signed a 6-year contract with the Steelers for $22.26 million in salaries and bonuses and an additional $17.73 million via incentives.

In his debut season as a rookie, Roethlisberger led the Steelers, winning 13 games and zero losses as a starting quarterback. He was unanimously selected as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press, becoming the first quarterback in 34 years to achieve such recognition.

Roethlisberger proved his worth when two of the preferred starting quarterbacks were injured. In 2005, Roethlisberger became the youngest quarterback to win Super Bowl XL by defeating the Seattle Seahawks 21-10. In 2008, Roethlisberger and the Steelers agreed to a further eight-year contract, two years before his original contract was up. The contract was worth a staggering $102 million. That same year claimed his second Sup Bowl with a dramatic victory against the Arizona Cardinals 27-23in Super Bowl XLIII.

In 2010, the Steelers reached another Super Bowl against the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV. Unfortunately, the Steelers did not capture their third Super Bow title, losing 31-25.

2018 was not a good season for the Steelers; they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2013. In 2009, Roethlisberger signed a 2-year extension worth $68 million with a $37.5 signing bonus. In 2020, the Steelers won 8-0 Their first eight matches became the best starting performance to a new season in franchise history. Ben Roethlisberger officially announced his retirement from the NFL on January 27, 2022.

Personal Life

Roethlisberger met Ashley Harlan, 1 physician assistant, during an NFL training camp in 2005. In 2011, they tied the knot in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. The couple has three children, Ben Roethlisberger Jr., Bodie, and Baylee Marie Roethlisberger.

Being of Swiss descent and a public figure, Roethlisberger became a spokesman for Swiss Roots to help Americans of Swiss origin reconnect with their Swiss ancestral heritage.

During his contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he determined to complete his college degree. After the Steelers were eliminated in a Wild Card round, he used this time to complete his college degree and eventually graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 2012.

The Roethlisberger family lives in an affluent neighborhood in Sewickley Heights, Pennsylvania, surrounded by professional athletes and celebrities such as Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux.

During the 2010 season, the NFL commissioner suspended Roethlisberger for four games without paying for violating the league’s personal conduct policy in an alleged sexual assault at a hotel in Stateline, Nevada.

Controversy

In 2006, Roethlisberger had a serious motorbike accident that almost cost his life for not wearing a helmet, and he also did not have a valid Pennsylvania driving license. The facial injuries were so severe that witnesses could not recognize him. The paramedics stopped the bleeding in his throat just in time to save his life.

In 2009, hotel staff Andrea McNulty filed a civil suit for an alleged sexual assault in his hotel room in Stateline, Nevada. However, a former co-worker delivered a sworn statement saying McNulty bragged about the consensual sex she had with Roethlisberger. The lawsuit ended in 2011 when the parties agreed to a private settlement.

In 2010, a then-20-year-old college student accused she raped by Roethlisberger. But the examination by an emergency doctor concluded that the evidence was insubstantial. The accuser later withdraw criminal charges and said she was not recanting her original accusation.

However, the Pittsburg Steeler president was furious, and the company owner of PLB Sports was not impressed as a sponsor.

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