Roethlisberger on Troy Polamalu: "As A Teammate & A Brother, He Will Be Dearly Missed"
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) - Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger joined The Cook and Poni Show on Friday to talk about the retirement of Troy Polamalu and his new deal to remain with the Steelers for five more years.
"It's a tough day," Roethlisberger said. "It's like a funeral where it's sad, it's a sad day, but also a day where you should reflect on the greatness of what Troy is and was to this city and to this team. As a teammate and a brother, he will be dearly missed."
Roethlisberger said Polamalu was a tremendous athlete and a beast on the field but he was a shy and caring guy off the field. He said Troy should be remembered more than anything for how great of a father he was.
But Ben was quick to point out he was a part of so many epic plays on the field. Most coming at the biggest moments of the biggest games.
"There was probably one every game," Roethlisberger said. "Will we ever forget the times that Troy jumps over the line of scrimmage and tackles a QB whether it was before the snap or after the snap and his interceptions to win football games."
Ben also talked about his new deal with the Steelers that could also allow him to do the same as Troy and play his entire career in Pittsburgh.
"It's what I've always wanted," Roethlisberger said. "We wanted to get it done. We felt like the sooner the better, so we got it done and now we can focus on winning championships."
Roethlisberger expects the offense returning next season to be even better than it was last season despite star running back Le'Veon Bell being suspended for 3 games.
"It's never good to have one of your best payers not going to be there," Roethlisberger said. "We'll have to do what we have to do and that is being the best football team we can be."
Ben says guys will have to step up in his absence and play a bigger role. He expects new back DeAngelo Williams can carry the load for the time he is out.
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