Ben Roethlisberger won’t be taking his talents to any other team in the league — not now and not ever, apparently.
After reports emerged on Sunday that the Pittsburgh quarterback was unhappy with the direction that the team was headed and would be requesting a trade, Big Ben’s agent came out and debunked the rumors.
Now, it is Roethlisberger’s turn to discredit the speculation, and the signal caller did just that on Sunday, ripping the report and expressing his commitment to the Steelers in the process.
“I’m so sorry,” Roethlisberger told team president Art Rooney II and team owner Dan Rooney after Sunday’s win. “This stuff didn’t come from me or my people. There’s absolutely no truth to it. It’s ridiculous. It’s one of the most BS stories that I’ve ever heard.
“I’d retire before I’d accept a trade,” Roethlisberger continued. “I mean, it would have to be something really, really unbelievable for me to even consider it. I have talked to my wife about that. I don’t want to be anywhere else. This is where we want to be.”
Stumbling out to a 3-6 start to the season, the Steelers have found a home at the bottom of the AFC North standings, but Roethlisberger was adamant about his loyalty to the city and the team, dispelling any doubt that he wanted to play elsewhere.
“This is where I want to raise my kids. I’m a Pittsburgher. I want to finish my career here, however long that is. I don’t want to play for anybody else. This is it for me. This is home.”
Roethlisberger is so dedicated to his home that he vows to stick it out with the Steelers during the lowest of lows, which he explains in a scenario that makes this woeful season look like one that is of Super Bowl caliber.
“When I said I’ll never quit last week, I meant it. I’ll never quit on this season, this team or these fans. I’m going to stay on the ship. I don’t care if we never win another game, I want to stay on the ship.”
