The Making Of a Legend: Ben Roethlisberger, The Beginning

I remember draft day 2004 like it was yesterday.  I sat in my living room with my son, like we do every draft day.  This was the earliest the Steelers had picked in a while, so I was more excited than normal.

I remember him asking me if there was a chance of Eli Manning falling to the Steelers.  I told him that just wasn't going to happen.  With the speculation from the Chargers, Giants, and Bills who were picking a few picks after us, I was just hoping one of the three (Manning, Roethlisberger, and Phillip Rivers) would still be around when Pittsburgh chose.

My biggest concern was that the Steelers would choose either a quarterback or a corner.  Pittsburghs two biggest areas of need.  After a poor season by Tommy Maddox, quarterback was the Steelers biggest need.

There was little drama about who each of the teams wanted.  San Diego was rumored to be taking Manning, even though he did not want to play there, the Giants wanted Roethlisberger because of his size and mobility, and Bill Cowher and the Steelers wanted Phillip Rivers, even with his unorthodox release.

When it came time for the Giants to pick, the selection was Phillip Rivers.  My son and I looked at each other with stunned looks on our faces.  He asked me, do you think Roethlisberger could fall to the Steelers?

I said it was possible, but I thought, no way.

The Redskins select Sean Taylor.

The Browns were on the clock, and I though there was a good chance they would draft the Ohio native.  Selection—Kellen Winslow.

The Lions select Roy Williams.

Since the Falcons had Mike Vick, my son asked if I thought they would trade down with the Bills.  They needed a corner desperately, and I knew they wanted DeAngelo Hall, but all I could do is hope.

The Falcons select DeAngelo Hall.

The Jaguars select Reggie Williams.

When the Houston Texans were on the clock, my biggest fear was the Bills would jump the Steelers to take Big Ben.  There was another first round QB, J.P. Losman, and I was really hoping that the Steelers wouldn't trade down and take him.

The Houston Texans select, Daunta Robinson.

Here is our chance.  Pittsburgh is on the clock, Big Ben has slid out of the top 10, and we have a chance to grab our QB.

Watching on ESPN, the reporter was interviewing Big Ben when the phone rang.  Ben's agent picked up the phone and interrupted the interview.

You could see the look of excitement on his face.  You heard Ben say "Yes sir" a couple of times, then "yes, Coach".

This is it, I thought.

As the commissioner walked across the stage, they showed Big Ben, putting the Steeler hat on his head. 

It was official, the Steelers had drafted their QB of the future.