The Pittsburgh Steelers’ legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger found himself under an unusual attack on Friday. Former NFL running back LeSean McCoy appeared on Fox Sports’ The Facility, where he criticized Roethlisberger for a recent football take. Roethlisberger had weighed in on the popular Patrick Mahomes versus Aaron Rodgers debate, saying that if given the choice between both in their prime, he would personally take Rodgers. It was a typical football discussion, but McCoy reacted with surprising hostility.
Footbahlin Podcast
Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger speaks on his Footbahlin podcast.
Rather than sticking to the debate, McCoy called Roethlisberger a hater and questioned his accomplishments. He dismissed Roethlisberger’s two Super Bowl wins and longevity, highlighting the fact that he never earned a First Team All-Pro selection during his career. McCoy's tone seemed unusually personal, turning what could have been a normal sports debate into something far more pointed and critical.
Former Steelers defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko quickly stepped in to defend Roethlisberger. On his social media, Fehoko explained that Roethlisberger’s lack of All-Pro honors was more about the elite competition at quarterback during his era than a reflection of his ability. He praised Roethlisberger’s leadership, toughness, and clutch performances, and many fans joined in to support one of the most respected players in franchise history.
"Shady walks around like pac too often," Fehoko said. "Boys get up there next to Joy Taylor and talk out they a**. Ben played in an era with Brady, Manning, Brees, Russ, Arod, Phil, Eli, Warner, etc. Still got two Rings to his name & gonna wear a Gold Jacket something shady won’t touch. Respect."
Fehoko made a strong and thoughtful argument in response to McCoy’s criticism of Roethlisberger’s lack of All-Pro selections over his 18-season career. While Fehoko acknowledged that Roethlisberger was never named First-Team All-Pro, he pointed out the far more meaningful accolades: two Super Bowl championships, nearly two decades as a franchise quarterback, and a future spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That is truly something McCoy himself is unlikely to achieve.
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Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger waves to fans as he walks off the Kansas City Chiefs home turf.
Fehoko emphasized the difficulty of earning All-Pro honors as a quarterback, especially during an era filled with elite talent. Roethlisberger spent his entire career in the AFC, competing against legends like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, which made those selections even harder to come by. Still, Fehoko argued, Roethlisberger’s career speaks for itself in ways that go beyond awards voted on by the media.
With 418 touchdown passes, 165 career wins, and 64,088 passing yards on 64.4 percent completion, Roethlisberger’s numbers are undeniable. He was the definition of consistency, toughness, and leadership in Pittsburgh, and Fehoko made it clear that his legacy deserves far more respect than McCoy gave him.
Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Would Know Best After All
The truth is, it’s more than a little ironic that McCoy came after Roethlisberger so aggressively for simply sharing his personal opinion. Roethlisberger played during the prime of Rodgers and witnessed his greatness up close. If anyone is qualified to compare quarterbacks from that era, it is Roethlisberger. His opinion wasn’t outrageous or disrespectful, and it deserved to be treated as part of a normal football discussion.
Roethlisberger made it clear he respects Mahomes. He took time to explain how great Mahomes is while also highlighting just how impressive Rodgers was in his prime. Rodgers won four MVPs and delivered some of the best quarterback performances the league has seen. Choosing Rodgers over Mahomes in that context is not a wild take, and McCoy’s decision to turn it into a personal attack seemed unnecessary and off-base.
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Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger smiles during a practice.
That is why many Steelers fans appreciated Fehoko’s response. He stood up for Roethlisberger and reminded people of his Hall of Fame-worthy career. Roethlisberger’s legacy includes two Super Bowl titles, consistent production, and unmatched toughness over nearly two decades. Fehoko’s support reflected what most of Pittsburgh already knows. Roethlisberger deserves far more respect than what McCoy offered.
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