Roethlisberger Wins In Likely Last Game At Heinz Field

PITTSBURGH, PA — In an emotional night featuring two mediocre teams, the Steelers prevailed over the Cleveland Browns 26-14 Monday night. But the real story was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger making what likely was his final start ever at Heinz Field.

Roethlisberger, 39, who is expected to retire after the season had one of his worst games of the year statistically. But that didn't matter to the fans who packed the stadium to pay tribute to the man who quarterbacked the team for 18 seasons.

After Roethlisberger knelt down in a victory formation and conducted an interview with ESPN, he stayed on the field and held up his hand and spun in a circle. He then walked along the perimeter of an end zone, high-fiving and shaking the hands of fans.

"This is home," Roethlisberger said in a post-game interview.

"I was born in Ohio, but I live here, and I'll always be here. These fans and this place
means so much to me and my family and always will. I've always said they're the best fans in all of sports, and I'll stick by that until the day I die.

"To see all the signs and jerseys and towels, and to hear them cheer for me coming out of the tunnel, all that stuff, I don't know that I'll ever put it into words. I wish I could bottle it and
have it forever. But I will in here and in my mind."

The Steelers have a slim chance of making the playoffs as they travel to Baltimore on Sunday to close out the regular season against the Ravens.

See Roetherlisberger's complete post-game comments here:

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