Steelers Legend Ben Roethlisberger Recalls Hilarious Rookie Moment That Left Him Scared

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with the 11th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. While Roethlisberger arrived in the Steel City with plenty of hype and excitement surrounding his potential, he wasn’t expected to play as a rookie. The Steelers planned to rely on veteran Tommy Maddox, but Maddox got hurt in the second game against the Baltimore Ravens. Roethlisberger came in, and the rest, of course, was history.

Roethlisberger went 13-0 as a starter that season, leading the Steelers to an incredible run of victories. Even as he quickly established himself as a rising star, he still faced the typical challenges and nerves that come with being a rookie in the NFL. Despite his success on the field, he had moments early on that reminded him how much he had to learn.

On his podcast Footbahlin, Roethlisberger recently shared a funny story from training camp when he was taking reps with the first team offense for the first time. The experience involved a sharp reminder from one of the veteran linemen, showing that even future Hall of Famers have moments of rookie nerves.

"They let me take some reps with the first team because, obviously, in training camp I was not the starter — Tommy [Maddox] was," Roethlisberger said. "I got to take some reps with the first group, and I will never forget: I came in the huddle and went to call the play. Out of nowhere, Jeff Hartings was like, 'Speak up, rookie.' I don’t think I spoke up either."

Roethlisberger detailed the story in hilarious fashion, recalling the nerves that came with stepping into the huddle for the first time with the first team offense. Even after veteran center Jeff Hartings barked at him to speak up, Roethlisberger admitted he was so nervous he doesn’t even remember actually doing it. 

The moment stuck with him for years, and sharing it now gives Steelers fans a glimpse into what life was like for a young quarterback trying to prove himself on a roster filled with experienced veterans. Despite being a first-round pick, Roethlisberger was still just a rookie trying to find his voice.

Of course, Roethlisberger would go on to have one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history. He was fortunate to land on a team with an elite defense and a powerful running game, both of which helped take pressure off him early on. With players like Jerome Bettis in the backfield and a defense that routinely shut down opponents, Roethlisberger was able to settle in and grow into the role without having to carry the full weight of the offense. That strong support system made it much easier for him to get comfortable and learn how to win.

Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Dealt With Critics Even After A Great Rookie Season

While Roethlisberger racked up wins, there were still critics who pointed to his statistical output and called it pedestrian. To be fair, that criticism was not entirely off base. He finished his rookie year with 2,621 passing yards, a 66.4 percent completion rate, 17 touchdown passes, and 11 interceptions. 

Those numbers were solid for a rookie, but not spectacular. Had the Steelers not gone on an incredible winning streak with Roethlisberger under center, his debut season may have been largely forgotten. Instead, it became the beginning of one of the most successful quarterback careers in franchise history.

In fact, many would argue that Roethlisberger is without a doubt the greatest quarterback in Steelers history. Others point to Terry Bradshaw, who led the team to four Super Bowl titles. However, Super Bowls aside, many Steelers fans would still give their vote to Roethlisberger. Either way, he finished a legendary career in the Steel City that will forever be remembered by Steeler Nation. 

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