NFL fans are always happy to see one football legend honor another.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger officially retired on Thursday after 18 seasons with the Steelers.
There are so many things about Roethlisberger’s career that are mind-boggling.
He is among a dying breed of franchise quarterbacks who stayed with the team that drafted him for his entire career.
There were other unorthodox things about Roethlisberger’s career that only a peer could call out in a congratulatory and happy retirement post.
While presumably contemplating his possible retirement, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady paid homage to Roethlisberger in a heartfelt and hilarious social media post.
What Brady Said
In addition to sharing Roethlisberger’s emotional video of him clearing his locker and reading a prepared speech to thank all of the people who helped him along the way, Brady added this comment:
“Ben defied the TB12 Method in favor of the “Throw Some Ice On It” method his whole career and ended up an all-time-great with 6 Pro-Bowls and 2 Super Bowls. There’s more than one way to bake a cake!”
Ben defied the TB12 Method in favor of the “Throw Some Ice On It” method his whole career, and ended up an all-time-great with 6 Pro-Bowls and 2 Super Bowls. There’s more than one way to bake a cake! https://t.co/ue36KXTHnk
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 27, 2022
Of course, Brady’s signature TB12 method is rigorous and disciplined in terms of diet and exercise.
He credits this regimen for his longevity.
Roethlisberger did have a different approach, but it was also successful.
Safe to say Ben Roethlisberger is done for the day. https://t.co/oCs6u5iJ8b pic.twitter.com/JRodakGesJ
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 14, 2017
His Steelers went to the playoffs in 12 out of his 18 seasons.
Of those 12 playoff seasons, the Steelers made it to five AFC Championship games, winning three of them.
Big Ben’s 🏈resume: 2 Super Bowl Rings, 3 AFC titles, 5 AFC Championship appearances and 12 playoff berths. He's a 6 time Pro Bowler who also won the Associated Press' Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2004. https://t.co/pIo2W7Mffo
— Sayuri (@BogieF) January 27, 2022
Roethlisberger On Brady’s Regimen
Roethlisberger did eat healthier last offseason but jabbed at Brady in the process.
“I’m almost 40 years old and you’ve got to take care of yourself. Nothing against Tom [Brady], but I’m not eating avocado ice cream.”
Ben Roethlisberger says he ate healthier this offseason, but he's still good on Tom Brady's avocado ice cream 😅 pic.twitter.com/bi2J9oGFWK
— ESPN (@espn) August 10, 2021
Head To Head Record
The two have not met since Brady joined the Buccaneers in 2020.
Before that, they met 12 times.
Brady prevailed in nine of those games including two AFC Championship games in 2004 and 2017.
What I've been waiting for😆😝#Brady vs #Roethlisberger
Here we go🏈✊️#steelersvspatriots #NFL #AFCChampionship #SuperBowlLI #gopats #AFCC pic.twitter.com/7w9zGUDP20— Adam Williams (@Add_P_Williams) January 22, 2017
The Big 3 QBs Of AFC Football
Just as professional tennis has its big three players, legends Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal who achieved unimaginable success while competing against each other, the big three quarterbacks of AFC football, Brady, Roethlisberger, and Peyton Manning, did the same thing.
The last 18 Super Bowls have all featured either Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger or the 49ers.
•Brady – 2004, 05, 08, 12, 15, 17 – 19, 21
•Roethlisberger – 2006, 09, 11
•Manning – 2007, 10, 14, 16
•49ers – 2013, 20
Courtesy @kendallbaker— Mike Cagley (@MikeCagley) January 27, 2022
Watching them retire is bittersweet, but a generation of football fans enjoyed their dominance over the years.
It is time for the new generation of young playoff AFC quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow, to take the baton and create the rivalries that these three did.
The Final Question
All that is left for fans to wonder is if Roethlisberger and Brady will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame together in five years.
We know that each is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
If Brady retires this offseason, it will definitely happen.
Should Brady retire, football fans will mark their calendars for the HOF induction ceremony scheduled for 2027 to see both Brady and Roethlisberger’s inductions.
NEXT: Joe Burrow's Dad Shares Hilarious Old Picture Of The QB