As we all know it is long, but short; celebrated, but now somewhat blemished; a tale of luck, both bad and good.
Much as I hate to relive that day last June when I found myself wondering how it could have possibly happened, there is a great story on ESPN.com this week detailing the whole affair as it evolved. Rather poetic actually.
The basic gist is this - While Rothlisberger makes no excuses and is determined to rebound from every injury in near-super-human speed, the chain of events in 2006 was just too much for the Man of Steel. Not like this is a new observation of course.
But I did like the narrative. Made it really seem like legend. Legend of a man some of us call "god send." Legend of a man who in only 3 full pro seasons has compiled a cumulative record of 34-12. A man who stepped in after only one game on the sidelines his rookie year and went on to a perfect 14-0 season. A man who only wanted one more shot at the playoffs the next year, knowing that was all he would need. A man who led the 6th seeded team through a formidable road playoff run that included the AFC powerhouses - Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos (but not the Bengals, no powerhouse there). The man who made the AFC Semi-Finals game-saving tackle after a Jerome Bettis fumble. The man who, despite a 22.6 passer rating in Super Bowl XL still made the plays he needed to make to win the big one. His passes may not always be as pretty as some others, but he has the grit, nerve, guts, balls and win-at-all-costs attitude that ensure a hall of fame career full of many other playoff and hopefully even Super Bowl runs.
So Ben, good luck this season. We'll all be watching as you lead us to victory. And no matter what happens, remember that Terry Bradshaw, who won 4 titles in Pittsburgh, was boo'd in his early years. In otherwords, no one is perfect, but you're damn close.
This Bud's for you!
More Rothlisberger Facts
May 4, 2007
The Legend of Big Ben...
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1 comment:
Gotta love Big Ben! I get so disgusted when I hear people dissin' Big Ben because of last year. If you are a true Steelers' fan you have to appreciate what he has done in the short time he has been with the Steelers. Even though he had a lot of interception problems last year the Steelers' offensive was more productive than the offense that one them the Super Bowl in the previous year. Ben definately has the "IT" factor that seperates him from the average quarterback in the NFL. He does whatever it takes to win and bounces back like a superhero. So, with Ben training earlier than expected this year expect him to hush all of his critics this season! E..A! Sorry, go Stillers!
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