That’s it for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Things get emotional for the 39-year-old after the win over the Cleveland Browns.

Pittsburgh – Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has had some special moments in his NFL career.

But Monday night at hemish “Heinz Field” is one he will probably never forget for the rest of his life. And not because of the 26:14 victory over the Cleveland Browns, which keeps Roethlisberger’s Pittsburgh Steelers’ chance of making the playoffs alive. Nor will he remember the 188 yards and one touchdown pass forever.

But certainly “Big Ben” will always remember the cheers and chants from the stands, as well as his tears. The 39-year-old has presumably played his last home game for the Steelers. His career is not yet official, but many things point to it, not least his lap of honour after the victory over the Browns.

Steelers owner with message for Roethlisberger

“I’m so thankful for these fans and this place. There’s no other place like this,” Roethlisberger said afterwards on “ESPN” with tears in his eyes.

Even before the game, everything was set for a farewell to the longtime signal caller. Steelers owner Art Rooney II thanked Roethlisberger for “a great 18 years” via video message. Thomas Tull, a minority owner of the Steelers, had earlier placed a newspaper ad for “Big Ben” in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

When the Steelers team was called to the turf, Roethlisberger’s name came up last. The veteran came out of the tunnel with a furious sprint and was cheered on by chants from the more than 60,000 fans at “Heinz Field”.

“It was an atmosphere like I have never experienced before. It was very, very special,” linebacker T.J. Watt said. Roethlisberger stayed on the field for twelve minutes after the game and let the Steelers fans celebrate him one more time.

“Big Ben” disappears with family: “This place means everything to us “

“This is home. I was born in Ohio, but I live here and I’ll always be here. This place means so much to me and my family. I’ve always said the Steelers have the best fans in all of sports. I’ll stick with that until I die,” the 39-year-old said.

He said he would like to save these moments in a bottle to have with him forever. After his lap of honour, Roethlisberger took a moment for himself on the Steelers bench. He then rose and walked towards the tunnel. His wife was waiting there with their three children. “Big Ben” hugged them all and then disappeared with them into the tunnel.

A farewell could hardly be bigger and more beautiful. It can therefore be assumed that on 3 January 2022 the era of quarterback Roethlisberger ended at “Heinz Field”. Anything else seems almost impossible after the pictures and statements of those involved.