Super Bowl XLV: Why This Game Is So Important To Ben Roethlisberger
Quarterbacks are a special breed of player.
They are the face of their franchise, the trigger man on offense, the most-recognized and most-criticized player on the roster.
They are, in short, the most important player on any team.
In Pittsburgh, the tradition of great quarterbacks runs from Terry Bradshaw down to Ben Roethlisberger, who is quickly gaining ground in being the greatest quarterback to don the black and gold uniform of the Steel City's beloved Steelers.
This Super Bowl, which is the third for Roethlisberger in his still-young six-year career, is essential to his legacy and Hall of Fame credentials for so many reasons.
Here's a look at why the man they call "Seven" is so focused on winning the franchise's seventh Vince Lombardi Trophy.
1. Elite Among The Actives
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Among active NFL quarterbacks, there are two unquestionably headed for Canton when their careers end and then a whole bunch of maybes.
Tom Brady is in. He's won three Super Bowls, he's been MVP of the league, and he's set some records.
Peyton Manning is also in. He's got a ring, he's also been MVP, and he's going to break a lot of records before he's through.
After that, it's a whole pile of Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers, Eli Manning, and a few others who are starting to emerge from the rest.
Roethlisberger has two rings, putting him ahead of everyone except Brady and the elder Manning. Brees and the younger Manning have one. Rivers and Rodgers haven't won yet.
If Roethlisberger puts another ring on his hand this year, that would tie him with Brady.
Only Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw have four rings as starters, so it's feasible he could even add a fourth if the Steelers remain competitive for the next decade, which is likely.
Why is it so important?
Well, when the Hall of Fame votes in candidates, they can only take so many. Super Bowl rings aren't the only criteria (look at Dan Marino with none), but they are a huge piece of the puzzle. Multiple rings speak very loudly.
2. Validation
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This goes hand in hand with the first point. Roethlisberger's career would be validated by another good performance in the Super Bowl.
Opponents of ranking him among the game's current greats and among the all-time great quarterbacks point to his un-gaudy numbers, his poor Super Bowl XL performance, and his supposed game-manager role in the offense.
If he wins another Super Bowl, putting him well ahead of "greats" like Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Steve Young and in the class of greats like Roger Staubach, people will have to revise their opinions somewhat.
The reality is that Roethlisberger hasn't been a game manager since his rookie year. He's the man Mike Tomlin turns to when the game is on the line and says "go win it."
Winning a third Super Bowl would not only solidify his already strong Canton credentials, it would validate his career and his style of play.
Like I said before, it's hard to ignore those rings.
The Big Turnaround
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Roethlisberger doesn't have the cleanest record. In fact, in the last couple of years, it's been rather messy.
Looking back, there's been the 2006 motorcycle accident, the 2008 assault allegations, and the 2010 one to match.
Ben was forced to take a step back, receive and seek some help, and watch on the sidelines as his team went on without him.
He was given a nice dose of reality, something he hasn't received since his rookie year.
Now, he's on a redemption tour. He's behaved himself all season. He's said all of the right things. He came to camp in the best shape of his career, played some of his best football.
If he hoists the trophy, it will be one more step in regaining the confidence of an expectant and critical fan base.
He's fought his way back into the hearts of a lot of fans, but some will only forgive him if he continues on this path in the right direction.
This Super Bowl is important nationally too. People who don't pay every day attention to Pittsburgh will see him and hear him.
It's important for him to make a good impression so that he can start regaining his stature on a national scale.
It's his time to shine. So far, he's done well.
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Wrapping Things Up
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The stakes are high for everyone in the Super Bowl. Getting there is an adventure. Winning is difficult. Careers, legacies, and legends are made and broken on this stage.
For Ben Roethlisberger, this is about a lot of things. It's about redeeming his image. It's about validating his career to a stat-obsessed generation of sports fans and analysts. It's about padding his resume for Canton when he's all done.
It's not the end of the journey by any means. Ben should have another decade of seasons with which to impress us with his deft playmaking.
But this is, perhaps, the most important game he's ever played. There's so much riding on his right arm.
Some players never get to a Super Bowl. Some that do never win it. This is special for everyone, but especially for a quarterback from Ohio playing for a Pennsylvania powerhouse trying to extend their record of winning Super Bowls.
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